Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/29/17 11:05 AM

Taylor will bat second and start in center field Saturday against the Mets, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor will start in center field for the injured Adam Eaton (knee), who was placed on the DL earlier Saturday. Though manager Dusty Baker hasn't confirmed a replacement for Eaton, Taylor seems to be in a good position to win a bulk of the center field duties.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 4/10/17 3:31 PM

Taylor was recalled form Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
With Trea Turner being placed on the DL, Taylor was recalled to fill the vacant spot on Washington's 25-man roster. Taylor spent a considerable amount of time with the big club in 2016, but wasn't too productive. Over 76 games he hit .231/.278/.376 and struck out in 32.5 percent of his plate appearances.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/8/17 4:10 PM

Taylor was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the team recalled Jeremy Guthrie on Saturday while it waits for probable fifth starter Joe Ross to become eligible. As a result, Taylor will be optioned to Triple-A to free up a roster spot. Guthrie is not expected to remain with the Nationals long-term, so it's possible Taylor could be recalled in relatively short order.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/1/17 2:43 PM

Taylor has been named as a reserve outfielder on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor had an impressive spring camp, hitting .314 with two home runs, seven RBI, and seven stolen bases over 22 games. His versatility to play anywhere in the outfield could garner additional playing time down the road and put him first in line for a starting spot in the event of an injury.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/23/17 9:41 AM

Taylor (personal) returned to Nationals camp Thursday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor has been away from the team since Saturday while attending to a family matter, but now appears to be back in line for a regular spring routine. He had been hot prior to taking leave, going 16-for-36 at the plate with two home runs and six steals in exhibition play. Taylor will look to limit his strikeouts and stay aggressive on the basepaths in 2017, where he's likely headed for a role as the team's fourth outfielder.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 3/22/17 2:08 PM

Taylor (personal) remains away from the team, MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Taylor is dealing with a serious family matter and was told to take as much time as he needs. The 25-year-old outfielder has already been away from the team since Saturday, and it doesn't sound as if a return is imminent. Taylor seems to have a secure grasp on the fourth outfielder job.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 3/19/17 9:24 AM

Taylor left camp Saturday to attend to a family matter in Ft. Lauderdale, The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
He originally wasn't scheduled to be in Saturday's lineup, but Jayson Werth was a late scratch with a sore knee to open up a spot. Taylor's personal matter forced him to cede the start in center field to Brian Goodwin, however. Taylor isn't expected to be away from camp long, and is still on track to open the season as the Nats' fourth outfielder.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 3/18/17 9:54 AM

Taylor went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
He's up to six steals on the spring to go along with two home runs and a nifty .444 (16-for-36) batting average. Taylor will be the Nats' fourth outfielder to begin the season, limiting his fantasy appeal to deeper NL-only formats, but an injury ahead of him on the depth chart would make the 25-year-old a priority target in almost any league due to his power/speed potential.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 3/12/17 10:55 AM

Taylor went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and his fourth stolen base of the spring in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
He's now hitting .423 with a 1.154 OPS through 26 at-bats, showing power (two home runs) to go along with his speed, but before you get too excited, Taylor is also still looking for his first walk of the spring. Plate discipline has been a big issue for the 25-year-old in his brief major league career and until he solves it, he'll be a batting average risk.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/2/17 10:05 AM

Taylor got the start in center field during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers and went 3-for-3 with his second home run in as many days, three RBI and a stolen base.
EDGE Analysis
The 25-year-old was supposed to be in a competition with Brian Goodwin this spring four the Nats' fourth outfielder job, but Taylor is trying to end that competition early, going 5-for-9 with a 1.778 OPS to kick things off.