Incredible catches, clutch hits featured in Michael A. Taylor's rookie season

Michael A. Taylor received his first look at PNC Park over the weekend and the rookie outfielder continued delivering stunning defensive plays for the Nationals.

Gregory Polanco led off the sixth inning Sunday with a bullet to the gap in left-center. It appeared to be certain extra bases for Polanco as the ball screamed through the air, until Taylor, on a full sprint, leaped and snatched the ball across his body with his glove high in the air. Polanco threw his hands in the air, in disbelief.

"I think every time I've pitched, Mike has made something great happen out there in the outfield," said fellow rookie Joe Ross, who was the beneficiary of Taylor's thievery.

Taylor's slender, athletic 6-foot-3 frame allows him to glide through the alleys routinely frustrating hitters with his amazing grabs. With Jayson Werth and Denard Span battling injuries since spring training, Taylor has stepped in to provide stellar defense. The 24-year-old has made 37 starts in center and 32 in left.

"He's a damn good center fielder," said right fielder Bryce Harper. "He's one of the best center fielders out there right now, I think. He's just getting better, definitely. He's got all the talent in the world. He's just gotta put his mind to it and keep doing what he's doing. He runs it down. It's fun to watch."

Taylor is starting to heat up at the plate after slumping for much of July. He is 8-for-24 (.333) with two homers and seven RBIs over his last five games after hitting just .164 (9-for-55) through the first 15 games of the month.

"It's nice to hit," the understated Taylor said. "I kind of went through a tough streak. Hopefully, I can build off these last few days and put together a couple more good days."

Taylor has repeatedly come through in clutch situations this season. His .404 average (23-for-57) with runners in scoring position is tops on the Nationals and fifth-best in the majors. Taylor's ninth-inning grand slam at Arizona on May 13 was the game-winner and last Wednesday, he delivered a two-out two-run single to tie the game in the eighth in a crucial 4-3 win over the Mets.

It was no surprise, considering Taylor is 13-for-37 (.351) with a homer, two doubles, a triple and 18 RBIs with two outs and runners in scoring position in his first full year in the big leagues.

Werth is expected to join the Nationals during their three-game series in Miami, while Span is probably still a couple of weeks away. It will be interesting to see how Nationals manager Matt Williams uses Taylor when both veterans return to the lineup.