Difo making the most of extended playing time

With Daniel Murphy now playing for another team, Wilmer Difo is getting his shot to play every day for the Nationals.

And with the opportunity to see Difo play day in and day out, manager Davey Martinez was asked recently what improvement he has seen from the second baseman since Murphy's departure?

"His offense. He's really staying on the ball and using the middle of the field," Martinez said. "He's driving the ball left-center field, which is really nice to see. That's the key for him not trying to do too much. Sometimes, as you see, if he hits a home run, he tends to get big for a little bit. We try to keep him back in the middle of the field."

Since Aug. 21, Difo has a .533 slugging percentage with three doubles, a triple and a homer. He has hit .250 in his last 15 games. Martinez believes the glimpses of hot hitting he has seen from Difo is only the beginning. At 26, Difo now has two seasons in a row of 330 or more at-bats - the most in his young career that started with a handful of games in 2015 and 2016.

"I think Difo is going to be a really, really, really exciting player," Martinez said. "He's just got to remember how to focus on the little things. And (when he) stays focused in the complete game, he is going to take off, he really is. He's exciting to watch. I love when he plays because he has a lot of energy. The last three weeks, he's done unbelievable. He really has. He plays with a lot of heart and a lot of energy."

Martinez speaks about playing a "complete game." He wants Difo, and players like him, to concentrate on their hitting, the fielding and their defense. But also he wants their focus and awareness between pitches to be on point. Every moment in the game. Prepare for the next play, run the game scenarios through your mind. What will you do if the ball is hit to you right now?

"We talk about it every day," Martinez said. "When something happens, I'll approach him the next day and talk about it and get him to understand that these are things that we need to keep working on. It's not just about getting hits and hitting home runs. It's about the little things: getting the extra base, going first to third, knowing to cover first base on a bunt all the time. Just be aware all the time.

"I talked to him about being in and out of the circle as we do in the outfield. When you're in the circle, you're engaged. When you're out of the circle in between pitches, go ahead and do whatever Difo does. Be engaged."

Some players might roll their eyes or say, "I got it skip, I know." But Martinez says Difo is eager to get better and listens to the coaching staff. Martinez was less than pleased a couple of games ago when Difo didn't cover first base on an infield grounder. He believes he got his message through to Difo.

"He's been good. He wants to learn," Martinez said. "He really does. He wants to play every day. He's kind of like (Juan) Soto in that way. He loves playing the game of baseball."