Washington Nationals News: A productive Ben Revere crucial at top of Nats’ lineup
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on the importance of Ben Revere at the top of the Washington Nationals’ lineup and the team’s representatives at the 2016 draft.
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 the importance of Ben Revere succeeding out of the leadoff spot for the Nationals. As Janes writes in her article, Revere struggled mightily out of the leadoff role after missing the first month of the season on the disabled list.
In the last couple of weeks, however, Revere has improved at the plate. And as Janes writes, the Nationals are a much better team with him producing at the top of the order.
Here’s what Nationals starter Max Scherzer had to say about Revere’s role at the top of the order, via Janes’ article:
"“Now it feels like he’s finally getting back from the DL, getting in rhythm, and having success at the plate. When you have success at the plate, you see him start to steal bags, making havoc on the basepaths, that just creates so much extra offense for us,” Scherzer said. “That allows guys to do their job just to move him over, and that can get a successful at-bat because you know, with his speed, all you have to do is put the ball in play and get a run.”"
Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Mark Newman discusses the representatives of all 30 teams at the 2016 first-year player draft. As Newman writes, the Nationals will be represented by Bob Boone and Johnny DiPuglia.
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.
Ben Revere’s developing offense crucial for Nationals lineup
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
MIAMI — Asked how much Ben Revere can help this Washington Nationals lineup, starting pitcher Max Scherzer, perpetually calculated, abandoned specifics.
“Oh,” Scherzer, the beneficiary of Revere’s efforts Sunday, said. “So much.”
Revere missed the first month of the season, then struggled after returning from the disabled list May 6. He’d not yet had a game like Sunday’s, not yet displayed the game-changing leadoff abilities the Nationals sought when trading for him. Revere singled in the first, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a sac fly. He bunted for a hit in the third, moved to second on a ground out, stole third, then scored on a single. That’s two manufactured runs with two hits other than the ones that put Revere on in the first place. Read full article here.
Legends set to welcome stars of the future at 2016 MLB Draft
Twenty-three former All-Stars. The winningest pitcher in postseason history. Three pitchers who tossed perfect games. A Most Valuable Player, a Rookie of the Year, a Hall of Fame manager and a Hall of Fame broadcaster.
They will be among team representatives on the floor at MLB Network’s Studio 42 when the 2016 MLB Draft gets underway on June 9.
MLB announced the annual list of club reps on Monday, and as usual it is a star-studded gathering from the past that will man the phones and help welcome the future on the first night of selections. Read full article here.