After getting out of the gate slow, Brock Holt is on an absolute tear. I’m one Washington Nationals fan who misjudged him early on.
When the Washington Nationals signed Brock Holt to a contract a couple weeks ago I wondered why. Now, I am backtracking on those thoughts, and am glad he is in camp.
Even if the surge is short lived, Holt has made the last few games fun to watch, wondering what hitting heroics he would supply next.
Holt was kicked to the curb by the Milwaukee Brewers mid-season, before the Nationals brought him in. With a plethora of utility infielders already on the roster, I wasn’t sure where general manager Mike Rizzo was going with this move.
What the Nationals lack is pitching depth and power hitters. Those should be what the team is bringing in, as opposed to light hitting middle infielders. Holt, however, has played very well in the outfield and has found the hitting stroke of late.
After an 0-for-10 start to his Nationals career, Brock Holt is 10 for his last 16.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 8, 2020
Holt has nine hits in his last three games and has climbed nicely into the three hole in the batting order. A healthy Juan Soto will surely dislodge him, though the hot hitting utility man should remain at the top of the order while he continues to rake.
Adam Eaton needs to fall to the bottom of the order and Holt could slide into the two-spot, with Trea Turner returning to the top of the order.
Holt has three doubles and has scored four runs in the last three Nationals games, two of them wins. In 16 games with the Brewers before coming over, Brock had three hits total, none of the extra base variety.
Once a hater, I am now on the Brock Holt bandwagon. I do want to party like a Brockstar. With Asdrubal Cabrera, Howie Kendrick and Josh Harrison entering free agency after the season, and Wilmer Difo recently being DFAed, maybe Holt signs on next year to return to the Nationals. Mike Rizzo loves versatile players.
Whether this is just a month long love affair, or the beginning to an even longer relationship, Brock Holt, I’m sorry I doubted your abilities.