den Dekker hoping to prevail in crowded backup outfield derby

VIERA, Fla. - After riding the shuttle between Triple-A Syracuse and the Nationals last season, outfielder Matt den Dekker finally hit his stride in September, slashing .298/.353/.596 in his final 26 games. If he was looking for a springboard into 2016, the late-season offensive surge provided it.

"I think the last couple of years, I've always finished strong," he said. "That's something I'm proud of and I just want to carry that over to the start of this year and have a strong start. The things I was doing at the end of the year, try to keep them going at the start of the year."

In September, with the Nationals out of the postseason picture, den Dekker had the luxury of extra playing time as the team tried to gauge what he had to offer. Now, with Dusty Baker and a mostly new coaching staff in place, den Dekker needs to use spring training to make a positive impact on decision-makers who weren't in D.C. last season.

If he wasn't already intimately acquainted with the idea that the path to the major leagues is littered with obstacles, the Nationals threw a few more his way during a busy offseason. Though their runs at Gold Glove outfielder Jason Heyward, slugger Yoenis Cespedes and super utility man Ben Zobrist didn't come to fruition, the Nats spent the winter beefing up their outfield depth by signing multiple players to minor league deals with spring training invites.

So den Dekker looks up and down the lockers on his side of the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium and sees guys like Tony Campana and Logan Schafer. They're left-handed hitters, like den Dekker, guys who can play all over the outfield. Then there are right-handed hitters Chris Heisey, Reed Johnson and Michael A. Taylor. That's a lot of bodies with major league experience, all vying for, at most, two reserve outfield spots.

"That's how it is every year," said den Dekker, who came to the Nats late last spring in a trade for reliever Jerry Blevins. "For everybody here, you're going to go out and perform and win a job. That goes whether you're on the (40-man) roster or not. They want the best team on the field, so that's how I take it. Go out, take care of what I can control and contribute to the team."

So what exactly is Baker looking for in his backup outfielders?

"Whoever our extra outfielders are, they're going to have to run for some of the guys who need running for, like (Ryan Zimmerman) and (Wilson) Ramos," Baker said. "I like them to be able to play more than one outfield position. We have some pretty well-rounded outfielders."

Because Clint Robinson can play outfield in addition to first base, the Nats could opt to keep only one other outfielder. If Baker is looking for a left-handed bat with speed, den Dekker could fit the bill. Because he plays center field, he's firmly in the mix.

But that hasn't stopped den Dekker, 28, from doing whatever he can to open eyes. Yesterday, he was breaking in a new black-and-white first baseman's mitt while sitting at his locker stall. He hasn't played the position since high school, but doesn't think it would be a bad idea to get a crash course.

The new Nationals staff has emphasized the need for speed and good baserunning, and first base coach Davey Lopes has been regularly working with baserunners to perfect their craft. den Dekker also has a holdover hitting coach he works well with in Rick Schu and a new assistant hitting coach, Jacque Jones, he's quickly clicked with.

"Bringing in Davey (Lopes) with the baserunning has been big," den Dekker said. "Jacque was a left-handed hitting outfielder, like myself, and it's good to have someone who knows what you're doing. I think it was big that Schu is still here because he's someone we're familiar with."

den Dekker says having Baker at the helm is important from a leadership perspective and because of the tone he sets.

"His track record through the years, he's been successful," den Dekker said. "I think he does all the right things to help the guys play well and feel comfortable. That's a big thing in this game, getting here and feeling comfortable. You play well when you're comfortable. He keeps us loose and he keeps us in the loop."