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MLB awards watch: National League MVP race

By William Schneiderhan

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a single during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals on April 14, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a single during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals on April 14, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on April 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on April 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

4. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Washington Nationals

.371 BA, 6 HR (T-10th), 18 RBI (11th), 1.223 OPS (3rd) and 1.4 WAR (4th).

When Bryce Harper packed his bags and hopped on the highway to Philadelphia, all eyes turned to Anthony Rendon as “the guy” for the Washington Nationals. While playing in Harper’s shadow, Rendon was one of the more consistent hitters in baseball.

From 2016 to 2018, Rendon clubbed 69 home runs, drove in 277 RBI, racked up 123 doubles and hit .292. That averaged out to 41 doubles, 23 home runs and 92 RBI per season over that three-year span.

Those numbers are great, but now Rendon may be taking the next step without the hair-flipping, left-handed slugging outfielder in town anymore. He has always been an extra-base hit machine, but this season he has bettered himself in that category.

Rendon has 16 extra-base hits: 10 doubles and six homers. His slugging percentage (.771) is third in the NL behind Yelich and Cody Bellinger and his 10 doubles rank third as well. He is also finding his way home: he gets on base with the fourth-most runs scored of 21.

When looking at Rendon‘s batted ball numbers, it’s clear that he is pulling the ball more and getting harder contact more frequently. This has led to a slight increase in fly balls, and slight decrease in ground balls.

Rendon’s walk percentage has gone up from last season, as well as his strikeout percentage. What does all of this seem to indicate? He may be changing his approach without Harper, as he has now become the middle-of-the-order run producer.

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