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.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 3/1/17 10:22 AM

Taylor replaced Bryce Harper in right field during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros and went 1-for-2 with a walkoff solo home run.
EDGE Analysis
He's off to a good start at the plate in camp, and hitting a walkoff in the Nats' first game at their new spring training complex in Palm Beach certainly can't hurt Taylor's chances of beating out Brian Goodwin for the fourth outfielder role. Despite his ability to supply both power and speed, though, his initial fantasy value would be restricted to deep NL-only leagues even if he does win the job.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 2/27/17 11:16 AM

Taylor got the start in center field and hit leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, going 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base.
EDGE Analysis
He's competing with Brian Goodwin for the Nats' fourth outfielder job, and it looks like Taylor has gotten out to a quick start in that battle. Both players have similar power/speed profiles at the plate and defensive chops, but while Taylor has more experience, he'll also need to show he can improve on his career .228/.281/.363 major league slash line to fend off Goodwin.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 10/8/16 11:50 AM

Taylor (thumb) made the Nationals' NLDS roster, the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
The thumb was a concern at the tail end of the regular season -- the Nats even ordered an MRI -- but Taylor was able to convince the team of his health with a successful round of batting practice Wednesday. Taylor made the team over Ben Revere, with GM Mike Rizzo saying, "[Taylor's] our best defensive outfielder" while also pointing out that the 25-year-old bats right-handed.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 10/5/16 1:46 PM

Taylor (thumb) took batting practice Wednesday, MLB.com's William Ladson reports.
EDGE Analysis
He suffered a thumb injury in the final weekend of the regular season, and while it is encouraging that he took batting practice Wednesday, it is unclear if or when he will be available during the ALDS against the Dodgers.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 10/2/16 3:36 PM

Taylor required an MRI on his thumb Sunday morning, but the results of the tests aren't yet available, MLB.com's William Ladson reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Nationals were apparently concerned that Taylor sustained some ligament damage during his 2-for-3 performance Saturday against the Marlins, so he was held out of Sunday's regular season finale while the team investigated the issue. If Taylor's injury is deemed even mildly serious, that might be enough to prevent him from cracking the Nats' NLDS roster.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 8/29/16 2:37 PM

Taylor was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor hasn't done much at the major league level this season, and has actually struggled even more in the minors with a .205/.285/.291 slash line in Triple-A, but he'll get another chance over the final month of the season. He doesn't figure to start much though, with Trea Turner establishing himself as the everyday center fielder. Lucas Giolito will head back to the minors to clear up space on the major league roster.