District On Deck
FanSided

Washington Nationals: How they will find at-bats for Brian Goodwin

By Ricky Keeler

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Brian Goodwin #8 of the Washington Nationals celebrates a solo home run with Wilmer Difo #1 in the fifth inning during game two of a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 30: Brian Goodwin #8 of the Washington Nationals celebrates a solo home run with Wilmer Difo #1 in the fifth inning during game two of a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park on July 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With Michael Taylor coming back soon, expect the Washington Nationals to still find at-bats for Brian Goodwin

Brian Goodwin has taken over as the Washington Nationals leadoff hitter with Trea Turner on the disabled list. While Goodwin hasn’t provided the same impact on the bases as Turner, he has been providing some power out of the leadoff spot with his 13 home runs.

In a few weeks, the Washington Nationals will have a problem, but a good problem to have. Once Michael Taylor and Jayson Werth come back, the Nats will have a lot of outfielders with only three spots to play. Of course, all of that could change after Bryce Harper‘s injury late last night.

Once Taylor and Werth come back, Dusty Baker is going to find playing time for Goodwin and it may still be in center field. The reason for that is Taylor hasn’t had the greatest rehab stint when you look at the numbers. In 12 games, he is 7-for-45 (.156) with a home run, four RBI’s, and 15 strikeouts.

Now, no one should overreact to minor league stats, particularly on a rehab stint, because the main goal is that the player stays healthy during the process. However, after an oblique injury, Baker is not likely to go back to playing Taylor every day right away.

More from District on Deck

Due to that possibility, you could see both Taylor and Goodwin split time in center field or have the one who is not in center move to left field while Werth is out. Taylor hasn’t played left this year, but has experience at the position while Goodwin has played 72 games there this year.

Another possibility is to go to a platoon in center field where Taylor faces right-handers and Goodwin faces left-handers. Despite Goodwin doing well in an everyday role, he is hitting .227 against right-handers and .341 against lefties. However, 11 of his 13 home runs have come against right-handers. These numbers are as of Saturday night.

Plus, don’t discount using Goodwin as a defensive replacement late in the game or as a power option off the bench if the team needs a home run. Defensively, Goodwin has made only two errors this year. As for late in the game, his on-base percentage of .357 from the seventh inning on is tied with Werth for sixth on the roster.

With a 14-game lead in the National League East, Baker is going to find ways to get everybody their fair share of playing time. This will be especially true when the rosters expand in a few weeks.

Next: Harper leaves game due to leg injury

Goodwin has been one of the surprise stories on the team and has shown that you never known when a young player is going to find his game. While some might worry the former first round pick might not play when the regulars come back, he has clearly made a good impression on the coaching staff and will get his fair share of playing time.

Home/Nationals News