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Washington Nationals: Three Nats Who Would Be Perfect For “The Match”

By Max Rayman

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals stands on deck in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals stands on deck in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Juan Soto
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 19: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals takes a swing during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on April 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Juan Soto

Since entering the League in 2018, Juan Soto has shattered any expectations put on him. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018 and that was just the beginning. In 2019, he took the next step, helping Washington finally get over the hump and win their first-ever World Series title. In the World Series, Soto made his presence felt hitting .333, with three homers, seven RBIs, and an OPS of 1.178.

During that playoff run, the “Soto Shuffle” was introduced to the rest of the baseball world. After every pitch, Soto would shuffle back and forth and grab his crotch, while staring down the pitcher the entire time. ESPN’s Jeff Passan once depicted Soto’s shuffle as “the single most insulting maneuver in sports, a snarling, domineering show of force,…”.

Despite being only 22, Soto has already emerged as one of the best hitters on the planet, drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Ted Williams.

Now imagine Soto on the golf course launching moonshots onto the green, with his classic smirk.  Usually prancing of any sort during a golf match would get that person ostracized, but in this type of event, Soto should be able to get away with his shuffle, minus the cup grab of course.

Soto has always found a way to elevate his game against the toughest competition and facing off against two titans of their own craft in Brady and Mickelson would just be another stepping stone for his evergrowing legacy.

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