On Bell's power, Hernández's chance and Plan B at third base

Ask almost anyone who watched Thursday's game what stood out about Josh Bell, and just about every answer would involve his seventh-inning homer. Ask Davey Martinez, and the answer is something completely different, something hardly anyone besides a manager would notice.

"What I love about him, if you guys didn't notice, he hit a ground ball earlier and he ran really hard to first base," Martinez said during his postgame Zoom session with reporters. "That to me, I mean, you don't teach those things. He wants to play. He plays hard, every day. I even asked him: 'Do you want me to pinch-run for you?' in his last at-bat. And he said: 'Hopefully, you won't have to pinch-run for me.' And sure enough, I didn't."

No, that's because Bell's last at-bat of the day happened to be the aforementioned seventh-inning homer. The real highlight of the Nationals first baseman's afternoon in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Sure, Bell's hustle on a groundout impressed his manager. But who wasn't impressed by his towering, opposite-field homer to right-center off a first-pitch fastball from Mets left-hander Aaron Loup?

This home run was particularly telling, because it came from the right side of the plate (the switch-hitting Bell's inferior side). It showed how the big slugger, when he gets his long arms extended, can drive a ball to the opposite field with authority.

That's not insignificant for a player who is being counted upon to consistently hit for power in the heart of the Nationals lineup this season.

"He's working really hard from both sides of the plate," Martinez said. "To see him go oppo there is a great sign. He's staying behind the baseball, which is awesome."

Bell is now 2-for-6 with the homer as a right-handed hitter this spring. Combine that with his left-handed numbers, and he's batting a robust .333 (9-for-27) with three doubles, three homers and a 1.184 OPS.

Now combine Bell's numbers with Ryan Zimmerman's numbers (6-for-13, three homers) and the Nats' first base tandem is hitting a cool .375 (15-for-40) with four doubles, six homers, 13 RBIs, .435 on-base percentage, .925 slugging percentage and 1.360 OPS.

* Also homering during the Nationals' 3-1 victory over the Mets were Kyle Schwarber and Yadiel Hernández. The former is the club's starting left fielder. The latter appears to have little chance of making the opening night roster even though he's tearing the cover off the ball.

Hernández, the 33-year-old Cuban outfielder who finally made his major league debut last fall, has always hit no matter where he's played. And the story is no different this spring: He's batting .476 (10-for-21) with two homers, a .522 on-base percentage and 1.284 OPS.

So why is Hernández, who blasted an opposite-field homer off Jeurys Familia on Thursday, still on the outside looking in for a roster spot? There are several reasons.

Andrew Stevenson has been all but a lock from the outset to make the club as the fourth outfielder. Stevenson, who is out of minor league options, has impressed in limited playing time the last two seasons, especially as a pinch-hitter.

He also bats left-handed. Just like Hernández. And the odds of carrying two left-handed-hitting backup outfielders on one team seem slim.

Beyond that, it appears the Nationals may not carry a fifth outfielder at all. Martinez hinted Thursday he's more inclined to use the final spot on his bench for an infielder. Or go with a shorter bench and keep a ninth reliever.

And if that's the case, Stevenson has yet another significant advantage over Hernández: defense.

"It's tough," Martinez said. "The biggest thing is, when you look at those pieces, especially in the outfield, that extra guy needs to play all three outfield positions. He's got to play center field, and that's tough for Yadi. I love Yadi, and I love the way he's swinging the bat. I listen to him. He's a great teammate and he does everything well. I love having him. For me, it's about keeping him ready. You never know. Things change all the time."

* Speaking of infield options, Martinez also appeared to throw cold water on any speculation he might move one of his middle infielders to third base if Carter Kieboom continues to struggle.

With Kieboom batting just .143 (4-for-28) with one extra-base hit and one RBI, it's only natural to wonder if the Nationals have a Plan B ready to go. If they do, it probably won't be Luis García at this point.

Martinez was asked Thursday if the 20-year-old prospect can play third base. The answer: maybe, but he hasn't this spring.

"Right now, I like him at second," the manager said. "That's where he is; he's gonna play second. I know he's playing shortstop, just as an emergency guy, in case something happens. Hopefully not. But he's a good athlete. He's got great hands. So I'm sure that he can play third base."

What, then, of another potential Plan B: García at second base, with Starlin Castro shifted to third base (a position he played regularly in 2019 for the Marlins)? Has Castro seen any time at third base this spring?

"No," Martinez said. "So far, it's just been second. So far."

That doesn't mean it couldn't happen eventually. But it doesn't appear to be in the works right now.