Lewis’s spot:
Keibert Lewis was batting third or fourth in the lineup most nights after the trade deadline last season, but he’s been stuck in the middle of the Nationals’ standings throughout the 2023 season.
Speaking to reporters last Friday, Nats captain Davey Martinez said there will be some changes to this spring’s lineup in an effort to find the right balance for the club.
But where does the No. 1 backstop land in DC?
“I’m not afraid to put him back at the top of the order because he’s a switch hitter and have guys hit behind him,” Martinez said.
“But let’s see. This spring he’ll be hitting a 3-4-5, maybe a No. 6. Let’s see how that works out.”
He batted No. 6 in Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener and was 0-for-1 with a K at bat by the time the catcher was done for the day, resulting in a 7-4 Grapefruit League loss. astros.
Lewis struggled at the plate during the first half of the 2023 season (In 73 games before the All-Star break, he hit .226/.279/.360 with 11 doubles, 9 HR, and 305 PA). But it picked up in the second half of the season. (.300/.342/.467, 13 doubles in 63G, 9 HR, 257 second half PA)).
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Martinez said he was impressed with the changes Lewis made along the way, watching his catchers adapt to the way opposing batters attack.
“He knows they’re going to put him in,” the manager explained. “Last year, that was part of it. If you get the ball up the middle, make sure you don’t get it inside, but if it’s a strike, go in, just go ahead and pull the trigger, and he did that really well. And , there were times when they would throw him around or start throwing off-speed stuff. The off-speed ability is something you really need to keep him from chasing, and if he does come after you. If that’s the case, let me stand up. We’ve all been working on this since this spring. When you see a breaking ball, make sure you get it in the zone.”
Lewis was a regular at putting runners in scoring position last season, going 46-for-126 (.365/.406/.579) with nine doubles and six home runs in his first year with RISP. . So…will he be able to bat in the middle of the lineup in 2024?
Stone attic still under construction:
Stone Garrett suffers season-ending injury (left fibula fracture) He appeared in August 2023, but managed to make a good impression on the Nationals by finishing the season with a batting average of .269/.343/.457, 17 doubles, 9 home runs, 82 K, and 26 walks in 89 games and 271 at-bats. Gave. ” Directed his work in his first year with the organization.
“I think he’s grown a lot,” GM Mike Rizzo told reporters at winter meetings in December.
“The reason we brought him there was actually for him to play against left-handed pitchers and maybe play as a defensive replacement in left field, and he took that and used it. ran, and then [manager] davie [Martinez] We started putting him up there against right-handed pitchers and he did well there as well. I thought he was on his way to becoming a really all-round player for us and could definitely be in our future plans. ”
Garrett spent the winter rehabbing and returning to spring training in preparation for 2024, but coach Martinez said on opening day that he plans to take it slow to make sure the 28-year-old is 100%. I spoke on the first day.
“We’re going to develop him. I hope he’s ready for opening day. He’s accomplished a lot,” Martinez explained.
“We had to check all the boxes with him,” the captain said.
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“It’s going to be a progression, but we’re going to push him. He wants to be pushed. He’s hitting and seems to be hitting really well. So we’re going to keep him around. there is no.
“He’s going to decide when he wants to leave and we’re going to keep a close eye on him. So we’re going to progress every day and see where he is towards the end. [Spring Training.]”
Heading into the first Grapefruit League game, Martinez said last week that the club is still taking things slowly with Garrett.
“We’re definitely keeping an eye on him and continuing to progress and he’s progressing pretty well, but like I said, he still has some boxes to check for us. But he’s been out there and been through different things. At this point we’re still trying to limit his base running, so he’s not participating in base running, because he’s not participating in base running. But he’s swinging the bat, he’s doing live BP, he’s doing all the things that we feel ready to do. .”
When will they test Garrett and release him for good?
“Again, we want to make sure he’s 100 percent before we put him out there and start doing it in earnest. But he seems to be feeling good,” Martinez said. Told.
“Look, he worked hard all winter to get ready. I think he’s in a good position. At this point, I think he could be ready for Opening Day. And we think so.”
West Palm Beach has plenty of opportunities to acquire Garrett AB and back him up, especially when minor league camp begins.
“We’re probably going to ease him in. Like I said, once the minor leaguers come in and they get ready and start, we’ll get them.” [Garrett] Stand at bat as often as necessary. You can do a lot of things. So now I’m looking at his performance today and he looked good, he’s progressing, I saw him doing outfield work and He looked really good, but as far as getting him in the game, we’ll see how he goes over the next few days.
“It’s going to take some time before we really feel comfortable having him in a game, but we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
