Ian Desmond achieves 20-20 combo in the season for Washington Nationals - MLB Update
This has been a dream season for Ian Desmond. He has posted an impressive batting average and has hit a respectable number of home-runs. This has brought him in the company of few players in baseball that have 20 home-runs and 20 stolen bases that he has
managed in the season.
Since beginning of the season, he has been consistent with regard to striking hits. Although he hardly ever won a game for the team single-handedly, he has been contributing on a regular basis.
In the first half of the season, Nationals struggled offensively to some extent. More often than not their pitchers ensured them victories.
Even when offence declined, Desmond was performing well. He was stealing singles and making every attempt to post runs on the scoreboard so that pitchers could defend them easily.
Right now he has achieved a level of form which helps him smack home-runs unlike his normal strength of relying on traditional run manufacturing techniques. Along with Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, he has become part of an incredible combination in the
line-up.
The fact the Nationals have made it to the playoffs gives him an opportunity to add another feather to his cap by keeping the momentum going in the remaining games of the season.
The contests which will decide the exit and promotion of teams to stages ahead will be a platform for him to let his credentials get acknowledged while the spotlight prevails.
Desmond has worked extremely hard with manager Davey Johnson even before the season. Johnson remained engaged with him throughout Spring Training in removing bugs and flaws in his technique.
"Davey has been real nice to have around for me personally," Desmond said. "He's believed in me. I've kind of put the comparison on it: When Davey came in in spring training and was like: 'Hey, you're going to play every single day and I don't care what
you do. You're out there. You're my shortstop no matter what.'”
Desmond remembers the time when Johnson uttered words putting faith in the shortstop and saying that he will give him opportunities in the season.
It will be interesting to see as to how Desmond continues his top-notch form in the matches ahead.
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