VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals manager Dusty Baker believes outfielder Michael Taylor has a chance to become a star in the Major Leagues. The skipper was seen giving hitting tips to Taylor the last couple of days. Baker called Taylor's ceiling high and is trying to get him on an advanced learning curve.
"He is going to get it. Our job as coaches is to try to help him to reach that ceiling a little sooner," Baker said about Taylor.
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Last year, Taylor saw a lot of playing time in his first full season in the big leagues because of injuries to Jayson Werth and Denard Span. The results were mixed at the plate. When Taylor was hitting near the bottom of the order, he had a .253 batting average. He said he wasn't thinking about seeing pitches for the pitcher. He was aggressive and looking for a pitch to hit.
When he was hitting leadoff, Taylor had a .201 batting average and struck out 54 times in 139 at-bats. He felt he had to take more pitches to help the hitters behind him.
"I need to be more consistent barreling up the ball. I'll try not to do too much at the plate, not thinking about hitting home runs, but hitting the ball square," Taylor said.
Baker did not say what Taylor's role will be, but Taylor will likely be a fourth outfielder who could come in for Werth and Ben Revere in the late innings. Taylor is considered one of the best defensive outfielders in the Major Leagues.