Nats Stats Update (3/5)
The Washington Nationals are 4-3 with 2 ties through 9 Grapefruit League games. The Nats are enjoying an off-season program that hints at more a relaxed, fine tuning style of play, than competitive, pressure packed camp. Most of the Nats rosters spots are pre-determined, making spring training less pressurized. Even though 2011 6th overall pick Anthony Rendon is having an incredible spring training, his chances of making the 25 man roster are near nil. The Nats want Rendon to play and play often, he won't do that right now in DC.
Looking at the Spring stats thus far, here are your Nationals leaders:
Batting Average: Bryce Harper is having a terrific spring coming off his sensational Rookie of the Year performance. Harper has played in 6 of the 9 Grapefruit games and is batting a whopping .563, collecting 9 hits in 16 plate appearances. Let's hope it carries into April. Right behind Harper is another stud prospect, 6th overall pick Anthony Rendon. Rendon is batting .438, collecting 7 hits in 16 appearances. Of the 7 hits, 5 of those are for extra bases, with Rendon smacking 3 doubles and 3 home runs. Ian Desmond is off to a great start in Spring, batting .429 with 6 hits in 14 at bats. Another outfield prospect who could see some time in Washington this season is off to an excellent start. Eury Perez has played in all 9 games and is batting .348 with 8 hits in 23 plate appearances.
Doubles: Rendon leads the Nats with 3 doubles in 16 at bats.
Home Runs: Rendon also leads the Nats with 2 home runs.
Slugging: How about the young stud 6th overall pick. Rendon through 9 games has put up a 1.000 slugging percentage.
Runs: Chris Marrero leads the Nats by crossing the plate 5 times. Marrero was the premier Nats prospect in the early years of the franchise moving to Washington. Since then, thorugh more MLB Drafts and injuries by Marrero, he seems out of place in DC now. Marrero could be part of a packaged trade at some point. Marrero has some tremendous upswing if he can stay healthy, but as a first baseman, he sseems to have been passed by Tyler Moore.
RBI: Rendon continues his domination of Nats stats. Rendon has drive in 7 runs to lead the Nats in run production.
At Bats: Two guys that will seemingly play pivotal roles off the Nats bench and possibly more, 2B Steve Lombardozzi and 1B Tyler Moore, lead the Nats with 24 plate appearances. Lombo will backup Danny Espinosa at second base and possibly compete for the starting role. With a tender Espinosa shoulder, Lombo could be in for significant playing time. He is batting .208 with 2 doubles in the Spring. Moore will backup Adam LaRoche at first base and provide depth in the outfield. He will likely see significant time in the Nats lineup. The power hitting first baseman is hitting .250 with a double and 2 runs driven in.
Hits: Bryce Harper has collected 9 hits this spring to lead the Nats. Of the 9 hits, Harper has doubled twice and homered.
World Baseball Classic: Roger Bernadina, playing for Team Netherlands, is 2 for 13 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, and a double.
