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Nationals: Five Disappointments From 2016 First Half

By Ricky Keeler

May 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitching coach Mike Maddux (51) and manager Dusty Baker (12) look on against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitching coach Mike Maddux (51) and manager Dusty Baker (12) look on against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) reacts to striking out during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Zimmerman (.221, 12 home runs, 38 RBI’s)

It wasn’t a great first half for what most fans would consider the face of the Washington Nationals. Right now, Zimmerman is hitting .221 and has a slugging percentage of .402, which is the second lowest of any Nats’ regular (Revere – .301).

The 31-year-old first baseman has had a good season in the field (four errors), but his offense has been bad for most of the season. He did hit .262 in May with seven home runs and 17 RBI’s. However, the game that I remember from that month was on May 8 against the Cubs when he went 1-for-7 on the day the Cubs were putting Bryce Harper on base.

After that game, Baker moved Zimmerman down from the cleanup spot to number five and put Daniel Murphy there. Now, Zimmerman is hitting sixth on most nights.

You could make the case that some of it has been bad luck for Zimmerman. According to Statcast, Zimmerman has an average velocity of 94.9 miles per hour on balls he hits in play, which is tied for sixth in all of baseball.

Right before the All-Star Break, Zimmerman went on the disabled list with a strain in his left rib cage. This is the sixth straight season that he has been on the DL and it just adds to a rough first half for the first baseman.

When he gets back, it will be interesting to see if Zimmerman can bounce back. Otherwise, you have to wonder whether or not it is time for the Nats to go out there and trade for another first baseman.

Next: Michael Taylor

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