Washington Nationals News: Despite struggles, Michael Taylor best option at leadoff
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on Michael Taylor‘s role as the Washington Nationals’ leadoff hitter and Bryce Harper‘s potential to be even better in 2016.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses Michael Taylor’s role as the Nationals’ leadoff hitter so far this season. As Janes notes, Taylor is struggling in the leadoff spot, but manager Dusty Baker says he’s the team’s only option at the top of the order.
Strikeouts have always been a problem for Taylor, and he regularly swings at pitches out of the strike zone. But, while he doesn’t match the profile of a typical leadoff hitter, he’s the only choice the Nationals have while Ben Revere is on the disabled list.
Here’s what Baker had to say about Taylor in the leadoff spot, via Janes’ article:
"“He’s been struggling some to get on base,” Baker said. “But he’s the best that we have to put in that spot right now without having to tear the rest of the lineup up.”"
Also in today’s Daily, The Washington Post’s Neil Greenberg uses advanced statistics to show why Bryce Harper could be in for an even better season in 2016 than his MVP-winning 2015 campaign.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. and as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
Michael A. Taylor struggling leading off but Dusty Baker says he’s ‘best we have’
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
MIAMI — Should Michael A. Taylor be a leadoff man? Ideally, no, Nationals manager Dusty Baker admitted.
“He’s been struggling some to get on base,” Baker said. “But he’s the best that we have to put in that spot right now without having to tear the rest of the lineup up.”
Baker has said before that hitting Anthony Rendon — he of the seemingly perpetual full count — behind Taylor alleviates the typical leadoff man’s responsibility to see pitches. If Taylor swings early, no problem: Rendon will get plenty of pitches so those behind him can have a look at the pitcher. Read full article here.
Bryce Harper’s monster season still has upside
(Neil Greenberg, Washington Post)
Bryce Harper continues to make a case as the best hitter in baseball. The 23-year-old slugger for the Washington Nationals has hit six home runs in 11 games — including one that made its way to the bullpen restroom at Citizens Bank Park — and is projected to hit 40 for the season according to Dan Szymborski’s ZiPS projections.
And there is reason to believe he could have a better season than last year, a year in which he became the youngest unanimous MVP in major league history. Here’s why.
Pitchers are more scared of Harper than ever before, throwing pitches 3.13 inches from the center of the plate on average this season, compared with 3.07 from a year ago. That may not sound like much, but a quick look at the pitch chart from this season shows Harper isn’t getting much to hit. Read full article.