Center field is all about speed for the Washington Nationals in 2010
Center field belongs to 29-year old leffty swinging Nyjer Morgan. Morgan played in 49 games with the Nationals after coming over from the Pirates in a trade last summer and he was 67 of 191 (.351 avg, .831 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 1 homer, 12 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. Morgan played in 120 games overall last season with the Nationals & Pirates in which he was 144 of 469 (.307 avg, .757 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 3 homers, 39 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. Morgan made 3 errors in 56 games in CF last season while showing good range. He also had 8 assists showing that the little man has a gun for a arm. Morgan will really be a pest at the top of the lineup for opposing pitchers in 2010.
29-year old righty swinging Willy Taveras was brought in on a minor league deal over the off-season. He played in 102 games for the Reds last season and he was 97 of 404 (.240 avg, .559 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 1 homer, 15 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. The Nationals think that Taveras just had a off year as he has a career batting average of .276 with a .649 OPS in 643 major league games. Taveras also has 194 steals in his career so like Morgan he would add a ton of speed to the Nationals’ outfield if he makes the team. Taveras made 4 errors in 98 games in CF last season while showing good range. He also had 7 assists in CF which shows a pretty solid throwing arm.
31-year old lefty swinging Willie Harris will also battle for some P.T. in CF in 2010 for the Nationals. He played in 137 games for the Nationals last season and he was 76 of 323 (.235 avg, .757 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 7 homers, 27 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Harris made 1 error in 63 games in CF last season while showing above average range.
25-year old righty swinging Elijah Dukes will likely be the starting RF for the Nationals but he can handle CF if needed. Dukes played in 35 games for the Nationals in CF last season and he made 1 error while showing good range. Dukes showed off a strong throwing arm in CF for the Nationals last season with 6 assists.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CF IN 2010: B
