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Washington Nationals: Anthony Rendon key cog on offense

By Blake Finney

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 28: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with Bryce Harper #34, and Trea Turner #7 after driving them in with a three RBI home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 28, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. MLB players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 28: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with Bryce Harper #34, and Trea Turner #7 after driving them in with a three RBI home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 28, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. MLB players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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He was only activated from the DL just over three weeks ago, Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon has asserted himself as a key offensive piece.

The Washington Nationals are delighted to have Anthony Rendon back in the heart of the batting order. He was activated from the disabled list just 24 days ago, but he’s found his power stroke in the month of May.

Since returning from the DL, he has a solid .261 average but his power numbers are up. He has five of his six home runs, and a sparkling .928 OPS in that time. He also leads the team in doubles since returning with six, but what else would you expect from “Tony Two Bags”.

Davey Martinez has shown faith in the third baseman by batting him third in the order. He has 11 RBI in 19 games during May as he continues to produce from the three spot. And with an in-form pairing of Trea Turner and Bryce Harper batting ahead of him, that RBI total will no doubt increase.

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Probably most surprising of all in this run is that he wasted no time getting his eye at the plate back. This is something that notoriously can take a while to regain after an injury. But Rendon has 11 walks and 11 strikeouts, and is making the pitchers work to get him out again.

With Turner seemingly locked into the leadoff spot, and Harper hitting the ball hard at two, Rendon may stick at three even when Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton return.

Martinez likes to have the alternating right and left-handers at the top of the lineup. So if he were to have Turner leading off, then Eaton or Harper in the two hole. This then sets up nicely for Rendon hitting third, with either Murphy or Harper coming up behind him.

Coming off of the hairline fracture, ideally the Nats manager would have eased him in and given him days off. But the extended break, thanks to the weather in mid-May, has helped him out and kept Rendon fresh.

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It’s not new that Anthony Rendon can go underappreciated by those not associated to the Washington Nationals. But with a new lofty position in the order, he may be able to shine on a national stage.

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