Michael A. Taylor aiming for big step in 2016

Michael A. Taylor has a lot on his shoulders. He's currently projected as the Nationals' starting center fielder sandwiched between proven veteran Jayson Werth and reigning National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper.

At 24, Taylor shows as a five-tool player. His slender frame glides through the alleys turning sure doubles into easy outs. Taylor has power too. Plenty of it. His 14 homers last year included a mammoth 493-foot blast at Coors Field and a titanic ninth-inning game-winning grand slam at Chase Field.

Werth first bumped gloves with Taylor during a minor league rehab stint at Single-A Potomac in 2012.

"He's come a long way," Werth remembered. "A couple of years ago I was rehabbing down in Potomac and he was playing there. You could see a lot of raw ability. You could tell he's got some talent and some ability. It was 'He'll get a chance to be a big leaguer.' But then the next season he had the big year. A chance to play at the big league level, learn and the big league level and develop at the big league level. Not too many players get that opportunity.

"Usually, you have to go to Double-A or Triple-A for a few years and get that development. But it's not the same as playing in the big leagues. I think that really jump-started his career and his overall development as a player. I thought he did a really good job. He played great in center field and he got some big hits throughout the season. I think that says a lot about a player, how you hit in big situations and how you hit with guys on base. Overall, I couldn't tell you what his numbers were, but I definitely remember those big hits."

Despite slashing .229/.282/.358, Taylor batted .317 with 47 RBIs with runners in scoring position. The Nationals would love to use Taylor in the leadoff spot, but his low OBP and 158 strikeouts make it a hard sell. General manager Mike Rizzo is fond of Taylor - the Nationals' sixth-round pick in 2009 - but also continues searching for a veteran center fielder this winter. Gerardo Parra, Dexter Fowler, Charlie Blackmon and Denard Span are the players who are repeatedly surfacing.

We'll see if Taylor can lock down center field in 2016.