Washington Nationals' Biggest Weakness So Far In 2016

Anyone who thought that the Ben Revere for Drew Storen was a good deal this past offseason, raise your hand. Really? Because where I’m standing it gave the Washington Nationals a false sense of roster security. So far in 2016, the Nationals’ biggest weakness has been the play of their centerfielders.

Revere was brought in to replace Denard Span and be an elite leadoff hitter. He has been a plus defensive left fielder throughout his career, but only an average center fielder. To date he has played in 40 games or about half of what the Nationals have played. During the time that Revere has missed, center field has been manned by Michael Taylor. Not only does having Taylor start weaken the bench, but it forced Taylor to bat leadoff where he is not perfectly at home.

The Nationals have the second lowest batting average in center field in all of baseball, and the Saint Louis Cardinals have the lowest. Of course, the Cardinals are 10th in home runs compared to the 15th place ranking of Washington. Perhaps more instructive is the Nationals’ last place ranking of all center fielders in MLB in OPS. That means a lower OPS than the great center field combinations that the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers are putting out there on a daily basis.

All is not lost in Washington. Revere and Taylor are second in steals from center behind only the Cincinnati Reds who feature elite speedster, Billy Hamilton. Unlike Hamilton, they have been thrown out six times, which is good for a tie for third in baseball. Hamilton’s only been thrown out 3 times in 20 attempts. His backups, Tyler Holt and Jose Peraza, are 5 for 5 in steal attempts. That shouldn’t surprise anyone, as the Reds’ biggest strength all year has been their base running.

The center field play for the Washington Nationals has been their biggest weakness in the first half of the 2016 season. Revere has been injured and Taylor has been insufficient. In order for the Nationals to have a chance to compete in the playoffs, either the duo will have to improve or the Nationals will have to get some help. Their pitching has been their biggest strength, but it can only carry them so far.