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Washington Nationals: Three Biggest Surprises To Start The 2022 Season

By Max Rayman

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 18: Victor Arano #64 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch during the tenth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 18, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 18: Victor Arano #64 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch during the tenth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 18, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Josh Bell
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 15: Josh Bell #19 of the Washington Nationals hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on April 15, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Josh Bell And Yadiel Hernández Carrying The Offense

After finishing second in NL MVP voting last year, it would have been absurd to predict Soto wouldn’t be carrying the Nationals offense for a third straight year, but the superstar has been putting up pedestrian numbers. In his stead, Josh Bell and Yadiel Hernández have been playing out of their minds.

Bell has picked up where he left off last year, slashing .316/.405/.456, with four homers, 22 RBIs, and an OPS of .861. He leads the Nats in RBIs (22) and OBP (.405), is second in OPS (.861), hits (43), and bWAR (1.1), and is tied for second in homers (4).

Hernández spent the majority of his career in the minors, before making his MLB debut in 2020 with the Nats. Last year he was given extended playing time after the Nat’s firesale, slashing .273/.329/.413, with nine homers, 32 RBIs, and an OPS of .742.

Entering the season, he was named the team’s fourth outfielder, but with Victor Robles and Lane Thomas struggling, has emerged as a starter in left. This year he’s slashing .327/.366/.490, with three homers, 20 RBIs, and an OPS of .856. Already 34, the Nats would be wise to explore Hernández’s trade stock at the trade deadline in order to bolster the team’s farm.

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