Outfielder an unusual fit for leadoff role
Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth is not a prototypical leadoff hitter. But it has not taken him long to adjust to a spot in the lineup that worried manager Davey Johnson all winter.
At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Werth has far more power than most. But he also possesses some attributes every good leadoff man needs. That’s why Johnson sees him as an intriguing option at the top of the order. Werth, who returned from a broken left wrist Aug. 2, was there again for Sunday’s game against the New York Mets. He singled twice in four at-bats and scored a run.
– Brian McNally
| Up next |
| Braves at Nationals |
| Tim Hudson (12-4, 3.59 ERA) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (9-7, 2.38 ERA) |
| When » Monday, 7:05 p.m. |
| Where » Nationals Park |
| TV » MASN |
| Radio » 106.7 the Fan, |
| WFED 1500, WHFS 1580 |
| This is the biggest series of the season to date. The Nationals have been alone or tied for first place in the National League East every day since May 22, but they have yet to shake Atlanta. Washington has a nice five-game cushion, though, after the Braves lost the final two home games in a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The opening game features Jordan Zimmermann for the Nats on an extra day of rest thanks to last week’s day off. Atlanta right-hander Tim Hudson is 14-5 with a 2.53 ERA in his 25 career starts vs. Washington. |
“The way [Werth] approaches every at-bat is really more in line with a leadoff hitter,” Johnson said. “He takes a lot of pitches. And a lot of times he’ll try to hit the pitcher’s pitch. He’s not your normal 6-foot-4, talented, gifted athlete who goes up there and tries to hit a bomb on the first pitch he sees.”
In four games batting first this season, Werth is 6-for-16 with a double and a walk. But his overall stat line suggests a player who can handle that spot for the rest of the season. Werth exited Sunday with a .409 on-base percentage. He has struck out just 26 times and walked 23 in 43 games.
About the only downside is Werth is little threat to steal a base at age 33. Plus, his actual experience batting leadoff is limited. He had 50 at-bats there with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, the year they won the World Series, and 49 more last season with Washington. But Johnson says he didn’t have to do much of a sales job to get Werth to make the switch. The on-base percentage alone makes him a threat there.
“You lead off once a game,” third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. “That’s one of the best things about Jayson that I think gets overlooked. He came over here with a big contract, and a lot of guys who have contracts like that aren’t as willing to do as many things and be as flexible as he is.”
