Washington Nationals: Opening Day 2017 Roster Projection

Sammy Solis

One of the pitchers who gained the full trust of Baker and the coaching staff as the 2016 went on was Solis. During the NLDS against the Dodgers, he appeared in all five games. He did give up a run in game five, but he was the pitcher Baker went to in any big situation during the middle innings.

During the months of May and June, Solis held the opponents to a below .200 batting average in each of those months. He combined for 29 strikeouts and 11 walks in 24 innings of work. The only problem for him last year was staying on the field.

Last season, the 28-year-old left-hander went on the disabled list in July with a knee injury and then went back on the DL a month later due to inflammation in his left shoulder. When he came back off the second DL stint, he only got to pitch in three games before the postseason.

Solis does a great job of getting both lefties and righties out, so he is a versatile pitcher that the Washington Nationals can turn to in any situation against any hitter. Plus, he has the ability to go two or three innings if needed. So, while the Nats will have a long man, Solis kind of serves as the backup long man as well.

Whatever Solis’s role is in 2017, he will play a critical part in the middle innings for the Washington Nationals, if he is able to stay healthy.