WASHINGTON -- Lane Thomas had strived for regular playing time since making his Major League debut in 2019. He achieved it in the Nationals outfield three years later, and the increase in playing time this season has paid off.
“I feel like the more reps you get, the better you’re going to play,” Thomas said after going 2-for-4 with a home run in the Nats’ 6-2 loss to the Reds on Saturday. “I think it’s hard to go out there and face guys that get big league hitters out consistently without playing most days.”
Thomas appeared in 129 games his first three years in the bigs between the Cardinals and Nats. After being acquired by Washington at the Trade Deadline last season, he made 42 starts and got the starting nod in center field when Victor Robles was optioned to Triple-A.
The 27-year-old carried that momentum into this season and earned a full-time role -- Saturday marked his 91st start and 112th game of the 127 team games this season. With defensive versatility, Thomas has made 41 starts in left field, 37 in center and 13 in right. Expect to see him more frequently in left after Yadiel Hernandez (75 starts, LF) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Saturday with a season-ending left calf strain.
“He’s getting an opportunity to play,” manager Dave Martinez said. “I told him, ‘As long as you show me you continue to do what you do, I love watching you play.’ And he’s done really well.”
Thomas has been an offensive spark in the Nationals’ lineup. He has reached base safely in 11 consecutive contests, during which he is batting .304 (14-for-46) with three dingers, three doubles, four RBIs, six runs scored, one walk and two stolen bases. He has recorded at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 contests, and he compiled a career-best nine-game hitting streak from Aug. 15-24.
“His power [has stood out the most this season],” said Martinez. “We knew he could possibly drive the ball. But I think this guy, with consistent at-bats, he can hit 15, 20 home runs. Right now, he’s well on his way. But with that being said, he’s a guy that really needs to stay on the ball and really focus on hitting the ball to left-center field, right-center field. When he does that, he’s been really good.”
When Thomas went yard off an 84.4 mph slider in a full count against Reds starter Luis Cessa for his 13th homer of the season, he surpassed his career home run total from his first three seasons combined.
“I knew he was going to throw a lot of sliders,” Thomas said. “I was kind of respecting the fastball early in that at-bat. Once I kind of chased that one and kind of fouled it off my bat, I was still going to respect the heater, but I was going to be aware of where I thought the next slider should start. So I saw it good and put a good swing on it.”
That second-inning blast was Thomas’ 20th homer wearing a curly ‘W.’ Entering Saturday, he held a .427 slugging percentage since being called up to the Nats on Aug. 15, 2021.
“I sat back and looked at his numbers since we got him,” Martinez said. “He’s been really, really good.”
Thomas said he would like to wrap up his fourth Major League season with consistent offense and avoid any cold streaks. He also still has more aspects of his game he’d like to show in the remaining contests.
“I think I’m pretty fast, and I think I can do a little more on the bases in the future,” Thomas said. “That’s something I’ve been working on lately, trying to be a little more aggressive and maybe get some stolen bags this last month, so we’ll see.”