2. “Victor Robles will lead the team in stolen bases.”
All of the variables seemed to line up for Victor Robles to lead the team in stolen bases this year. Trea Turner was going to be moved to the three spot in the batting order, and with either Josh Bell or Kyle Schwarber hitting behind him, he wouldn’t run as much. Robles swiped 28 bags in 2019 and was going to slide into the leadoff position, ready to run. After a down year at the plate, he would have to rebound and get on base more, giving him plenty of stolen base opportunities.
Turner has been gone a month, though he will end up leading the team in stolen bases, and it won’t even be close. In fact, with his 21, he is the only player in double figures right now. Robles is second with 8. Base running has not been a strength for the Nationals this year, as evidenced by their 68% success rate in stealing. Robles, is not an exception. He’s been caught six times and has run during some questionable moments in games.
We assumed Robles was fast right? Not Trea Turner fast. Apparently, not Andrew Stevenson or Lane Thomas fast either.
Another issue is Robles’ ability to get on base. While he hasn’t walked much in his career, his free passes are up a little this year, though his base hits are down drastically. Robles is hitting .206. He’s just not getting on base, enough to steal. Big Stick Vic has fallen out of favor with Nationals fans, for that reason.