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Washington Nationals: 3 shocking statistics from the first series

By James Simmons

Starlin Castro #13 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a double against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in game one of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on April 7, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Starlin Castro #13 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a double against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in game one of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on April 7, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Victor Robles is becoming the leadoff hitter the Nationals want him to be.
Victor Robles #16 of the Washington Nationals doubles in the first inning against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at the FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 19, 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Victor Robles has four walks thus far.

The 2019 version of Victor Robles was good. The 2020 version, not so much. We all waited with baited breath what the 2021 version would look like, both physically and statistically. For starters he trimmed down from his bulked up self from the year prior. WIth Trea Turner taking off as a hitter/run producer, Robles was being groomed for the leadoff spot.

One problem. If he wasn’t hitting his way on base, he wasn’t really getting on base. A good table setter takes pitches and draws walks. Before this season, Robles didn’t walk much, and struck out too often for a leadoff hitter.

For his career he walks just 5% of his plate appearances and was coming off a year where he struck out in 32% of his at-bats.

In three games this year, Robles has an OBP of .583, on the strength of four base on balls. He is doing everything the team is asking of him from the leadoff spot and has scored a team high three runs as his patience at the plate is paying off. May be a little much to ask for at this point, though if he can provide an Anthony Rendon type BB/K ratio, the transformation will be complete.

If he can continue the good batter’s eye, this team will score a lot of runs on the year.

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