The Washington Nationals have seen some spectacular seasons out of their players since moving to D.C. in 2005. Which hitters put together the best single-season performance?
The regular season has come and gone. The Washington Nationals locked up their third National League East division title in the last five years, and are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series this weekend. Led by MVP-candidate Daniel Murphy, the Nats are a force to be reckoned with heading into the first round of the playoffs.
Speaking of Murphy, the former New York Met proved that his postseason performance last October was no fluke, putting together an MVP-caliber season for Washington. He led the National League in several offense categories, while anchoring the middle of a lineup that desperately needed it with Bryce Harper’s fall to Earth. Murphy was by far the most productive hitter on the Nationals this season, but where does his season rank in team history?
Since moving from Montreal, the franchise has seen 54 players qualify for the batting title in its twelve seasons in the District. 32 of those players were selected to All-Star team, while 25 finished the year with a WAR above three. The Nationals may not have become relevant in the playoff picture until 2012, but the team still had a few bright spots during their dark years.
Where does Daniel Murphy’s season stack up against the rest? Let’s take a look at which players have put together the best single-season at the plate in Nats history.