Nationals Brian Goodwin Could See More Playing Time
By Bill Pivetz
Nationals placed Adam Eaton on the DL. Brian Goodwin will likely see an increase in playing time and should be added.
The Washington Nationals are looking up in the National League East in the early part of this season. While Bryce Harper is crushing the ball, the rest of the team needs to perform. The Nats will be without leadoff hitter and outfielder Adam Eaton because of a bone bruise in his left ankle. This gives Brian Goodwin a spot in the starting lineup and worth a short-term add.
With Eaton hurt and Howie Kendrick manning second base while Daniel Murphy is out, the Nationals need Goodwin to fill in at left field. So far in this short season, Goodwin has proved that he won’t hurt the dynamic of the lineup at the top of the order.
Goodwin is hitting .286 with one home run, three runs, eight RBIs and two steals. He isn’t the best power hitter, career-high 14 home runs in Triple-A in 2016, but with the combination of contact and speed, he’ll be a nice Eaton replacement.
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In 74 games last season, Goodwin hit 13 home runs, 30 RBIs and .251. He also added six steals in that span. Eaton, two seasons ago, played in 157 games and hit .284 with 14 homers, 59 RBIs, 91 runs and 14 steals.
Goodwin can provide the same power and, if stretched over a full season, can steal the same number of bases as Eaton. With Trea Turner, Harper and Anthony Rendon hitting behind him, Goodwin will score his fair share of runs, as long as he gets on base.
Eaton does not have an exact return date. It depends on “how he responds to treatment and by how the roster shakes out in the meantime.” If Goodwin plays well, then Eaton and his fantasy owners could be waiting awhile to get back in the lineup.
Top prospect Victor Robles is close to making his debut but the Nationals have an abundance of outfielders. If one more gets hurt, at this rate it’s possible, then Robles could make his debut sometime over the next month. Until then, anyone stashing him will have to wait a bit longer.
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Goodwin is owned in just 2.6 percent of ESPN and five percent in CBS leagues, up 1.1 and three percent over the last week, respectively. Outfielders with that low of ownership would likely remain on the waiver. But, when you’re the starting left fielder for the Nationals, you’ll get a boost in value.