Anthony Gruppuso-USPRESSWIRE
Not everyone knows who the young men are that make up the Washington Nationals infield. To most it is ‘Who’s on first, What’s on second and I Don’t Know is on third.’ I Don’t Care is the shortstop. If the Nationals continue to play the way they are, Who, What, I Don’t Know and I Don’t Care will have names by the end of October.
The Nationals have one of the best infields in baseball. They make the tough plays look routine and the routine easy. Every day they get better. This is important, because defense is paramount in the post season.
At first base is veteran Adam LaRoche. He established himself as a solid hitter and good glove man with the Atlanta Braves. LaRoche came to Washington as a free agent in 2011. He was brought in to fill a need at first and for his left handed bat. LaRoche has not disappointed at the plate, but his defense has been stellar.
There is nothing that gives an infielder more confidence than knowing he can throw a ball in range of first base and it will be caught. LaRoche fields everything thrown to him that he can get his glove on. He covers the ground around first smoothly. LaRoche deserves Gold Glove consideration.
At second base is Danny Espinosa. He was drafted in 2008 as a shortstop. This gives Washington a huge advantage in that he plays second with a shortstop’s range. Espinosa has a shortstop’s arm so can make the backhand play behind second then throw a bullet to first. When the team’s regular shortstop was injured Espinosa stepped in and the Nationals did not skip a beat.
That shortstop is Ian Desmond. He is one of the last links to the team’s days as the Montreal Expos having been drafted in 2004 (they moved to Washington in 2005). Desmond and Espinosa became a double play combination in late 2010. They have had two full years of playing together. When he was first called up Desmond committed his share of errors but with experience he has gained confidence. Desmond and Espinosa are one of the best double play combos in the game.
The old man of the infield is third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman has been with the Nationals organization since 2005. He has grown up with the ball club and seen it go from laughing stock to contender. When the Nationals were bad one of the few things they could rely on was Zimmerman’s defense and, now, they still can. Zimmerman is adept at stabbing line drives and charging slow rollers. It is more of a surprise when he doesn’t make the play than when he does.
Of course we can’t forget the catcher, Kurt Suzuki. He came from the Oakland Athletics in August. The Nationals traded for him in hopes he would manage a young pitching staff and give them solid defense. Suzuki has stepped in and made the infield even better. Washington pitchers trust him. They know that he will call a solid game and block pitches in the dirt.
These are the five regulars who make up the Nationals infield. They have saved a ton of runs this season.
By the end of October they may be household names.
