From utility to everyday starter: Versatile Espinosa and Robinson step up

Injuries, as with most teams, can take their toll on even the most talented teams and derail promising seasons. Fortunately for the Nationals, they have several players that can play in the infield and outfield and still hit and help bridge the gap until a starter returns.

With injuries to players like Denard Span, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon, Danny Espinosa and Clint Robinson are two examples of players that have stepped up and been successful transitioning from pinch-hit sub to everyday starter.

Espinosa played first base and left field for the first time this season. Many times, he would get the heads up he would be needed in an unfamiliar role hours before a game.

"What kind of notice do I have? When you guys see the lineup, I see the lineup," Espinosa said, who started at second base, shortstop or first base the past eight games. He is off today.

"That's about my notice for the day," Espinosa continued. "Short, second, third, I'm very comfortable at. That's positions that are fun. We get to throw and everything. Playing first base is different, completely different. Different responsibilities, different throws, everything like that. It's comfortable. It's somewhat comfortable."

Espinosa feels he can play any spot because of his defensive experience. He doesn't worry too much on the field where he needs to throw or where the throws will come from.

"Feels good," Espinosa said. "I have confidence in myself that I can go out there and defensively handle whatever I need to handle. Wherever they put me, to me, I feel that I can take care of it."

Espinosa is batting .266 in 60 games, with 12 doubles, one triple, eight homers and 20 RBIs. The last seven games, he is hitting .393.

In 2013, he dealt with hand and wrist issues, batting a career worst .158 and appearing in only 44 games. In 2014, he struggled from the left side of the plate, batting .219, but just .183 versus right-handers from the left side.

This season is feels 100 times better, and that has been the biggest difference.

"Health. Probably a big thing," Espinosa said. "Being healthy is bigger than what I ever realized. I've never been too hurt in my career ever. Being hurt and then coming back and being healthy now, yeah, definitely I can see now when everyone says stay healthy how much it counts."

Another player who started the season as a utility player and has blossomed into a critical role for the Nationals is Clint Robinson.

Similar to Espinosa, Robinson is a versatile defender. Obviously he is not as toolsy or with the range of an Espinosa, but is able to get the job done for manager Matt Williams and is in the lineup because of his bat. Robinson is batting sixth at first base tonight versus the Braves right-hander Shelby Miller.

"Yeah, simple swing. Repeatable swing," Williams said. "That's why he's had success throughout his minor league career. He was fantastic in spring training for us. And he continues to be good in whatever situation we put him in whether it's off the bench, whether he starts in right field or left field or at first base. He showed a little bit of power lately. That's probably a product of more at-bats and better timing. That's the way every hitter is. He's been very productive for us. So hopefully we'll get more opportunities to get him in there and play."

Williams said it is not unusual for Robinson to be able to play different spots because he is not just a one-dimensional home run hitter.

"He's a little bit of a hybrid because he does have a really good eye at the plate," Williams said. "He's not a true power hitter in my view. He's a .300 hitter. It's been .300 every step of the way at every level he's played. I would view him as a .300 hitter. (He is) a guy that has the ability to hit the ball to all fields with power. I don't see him as a slugger. I see him as a good at-bat when he steps up there."

Williams was right. Since 2007 in season's Robinson played at least 67 games with a team, he hit: .336, .264, .298, .335, .326, .292, .270 and .312. His career average is .302. Against right-handers, the coveted left-handed bat will play as long as he continues to be consistent at the plate.