Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 4/14/16 12:47 PM

Taylor is out of Thursday's lineup against the Braves.
EDGE Analysis
He makes way for Matt Den Dekker on Thursday in what is simply a day off in the middle of the week. Taylor has yet to show off his plus power at the plate this season, although it is only a matter of time before he starts to slug some extra-base hits.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Tue 4/12/16 10:05 AM

Taylor went 2-for-5 Monday with a run scored and his first two stolen bases of the season.
EDGE Analysis
The Nationals abused A.J. Pierzynski on the basepaths Monday, as Taylor and Bryce Harper each swiped two bags. After an 0-for-11 start to the season, Taylor now has three hits in the last two games as he settles into the leadoff spot in place of Ben Revere (oblique).

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 4/6/16 3:50 PM

Taylor will remain in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Braves, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports. He'll bat leadoff as the Nationals' center fielder.
EDGE Analysis
With Ben Revere (ribs) sitting out for Wednesday's matchup with the Braves, Taylor will take his spot atop the lineup and in the field. Taylor and the Braves will be going against veteran journeyman and right-hander Bud Norris on Wednesday. Taylor bats a mere .221 against righties but 11 of his 15 career home runs have come against right-handed pitchers.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Tue 4/5/16 10:38 AM

Taylor replaced Ben Revere (rib cage) in center field during the fourth inning of Monday's win over the Braves, going 0-for-2 with an RBI on a sac fly.
EDGE Analysis
The Nationals haven't yet called Revere's injury an oblique strain, saying that he has a muscular injury along his rib cage, so for now Taylor is only set to be a short-term replacement. If Revere's issue does turn out to be more serious, however, Taylor would be in line to start for a significant stretch. Given his upside in power and speed, he could be worth picking up now in shallower formats where he went undrafted.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Fri 3/25/16 9:47 AM

Taylor stayed hot Thursday, going 2-for-4 with his fourth double and fourth home run of the spring.
EDGE Analysis
He's now slashing an eye-popping .486/.513/.919 through 37 Grapefruit League at-bats, but unfortunately for Taylor the Nationals' starting outfield is set with Jayson Werth in left, Ben Revere in center and Bryce Harper in right. Expect Taylor to back up all three spots to begin the season, but should an injury push him into the starting lineup, he's got significant upside.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 3/13/16 1:00 PM

New Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Taylor was "gonna play quite a bit" this season, the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor's had a great start to spring training, including a 3-for-3 game Saturday with two doubles and a spectacular catch in center field, but despite Baker's positivity there's no obvious path to playing time for him following the team's acquisition of Ben Revere. Still, Jayson Werth is far from an iron man and Bryce Harper has had his own injury issues in the past, so Taylor could find his way into the lineup as more than just a defensive replacement from time to time. If he matches last season's 472 at-bats, however, something has probably gone very wrong in Washington.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 1/9/16 5:26 PM

Taylor could open the season as the Nationals' fourth outfielder after the team traded for Ben Revere on Friday, William Ladson of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 24-year-old Taylor was gaining steam as a fantasy sleeper in recent months, with many envisioning an everyday role in center field and perhaps atop the batting order. However, the acquisition of Revere hurts Taylor outlook for playing time considerably. Increased time could always open up if there is an injury, but Taylor may play primarily against lefties to start.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 10/3/15 12:07 PM

Taylor is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader.
EDGE Analysis
Bryce Harper will play center field with Matt den Dekker starting in right field in the first half of Saturday's twin bill. Look for Taylor to be available off the bench and likely start the nightcap.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 9/28/15 6:53 PM

Taylor went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Monday's 5-1 victory over the Reds.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor had been mired in a 1-for-14 slump coming into the Monday's contest, so the two hits were a welcome development. It was only Taylor's third multi-hit outing of a September that has seen him hit just .195, his second-lowest monthly batting average in 2015. The 24-year-old outfielder certainly showed promise at the plate over his first full season in the majors, demonstrating some pop with the bat and stealing 16 bags in the process. However, until he improves on his robust 31.2 strikeout rate, Taylor will likely struggle to thoroughly fulfill his considerable potential.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 9/27/15 11:33 AM

Taylor is back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor's injuries came more from a soreness due to repeated dives in Friday's game than a tangible a injury, so it's unsurprising he's coming back after only one game missed. He's batting leadoff and pushing the Nationals outfield back to the usual alignment, with Bryce Harper at right field.