Nationals center fielder Victor Robles has dealt with hamstring issues during the playoffs, missing five games during the divisional and championship rounds. Given the time he missed, the team can be thankful they didn’t listen to some fans and media who wanted to trade outfielder Michael A. Taylor earlier this year.
Robles was in the starting lineup Saturday at Nationals Park, but Washington knows it can count on Taylor for strong defense and baserunning if needed off the bench. That seemed like a stretch back in June when Taylor — who had appeared in more than 100 major league games in three of the previous four seasons — was sent to Double-A Harrisburg for a spell.
Now he’s one of five outfielders on the Nationals’ World Series roster.
“It is great to be a part of this,” Taylor said before Saturday’s game. “It is an honor. I love playing the game of baseball. It is something I will remember for a long time.”
Nationals assistant general manager Doug Harris revealed that Taylor preferred to go to Double-A instead of Triple-A Fresno due to his background with the Harrisburg staff. Harris gave credit to Harrisburg manager Matt LeCroy, a former Nationals’ coach, and Senators hitting coach Brian Rupp for getting Taylor on track.
“I think we have done a very good job of seeing people through,” Harris told The Washington Times during prior to Game 4 Saturday.
Taylor, who hit nine home runs in 57 games with Harrisburg, belted a homer in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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