Taylor says Robles is learning how to make big plays in outfield

The education of outfielder Victor Robles has continued as he works toward his first 100 major league games with the Nationals.

One big step is Robles learning to trust his ability to make big plays - especially diving catches - without getting hurt.

Last time he was in Miami, he got banged around the outfield, making a couple of plays against the wall.

Then, later in the season, he made a spectacular diving play heading toward the left-center field wall, diving in a cloud of dust to make the catch in Chicago versus the White Sox.

A professional who knows a great deal about making game-changing catches in center field is Michael A. Taylor.

"It was a great play," Taylor said of Robles' catch. "I know what it's like to go after that ball. Just being aggressive enough to dive for that ball, I think, is the most challenging part of the play. Obviously, he has the speed to cover that ground. Just committing to that ball. And the ball that's coming in on him, committing to that also shows that his confidence is growing out there. That's the kind of aggressive play you want to see out of your center fielder. It's great to see him grow into that."

It is big step in believing for Robles that he can make a catch like that and come out of it unscathed. Early last season at Triple-A Syracuse, Robles hurt his elbow and missed most of the season attempting a diving catch in center field.

Robles said he believes in himself and that his faith will help him through those moments in games when there is a possibility he could get hurt. He remembers what he learned about himself in that play for Syracuse last season.

"We are all sons of God," Robles said via team interpreter Octavio Martinez. "I feel strongly that He has a plan for us. If he allows something to happen, it's probably because something worse could have happened. You learn from it. So I put everything in His hands.

"I suffered a very big injury last year that put me out four months and I'm back here. So I'm not fearing of that. In other words, I'm still going to play my game, fearless and aggressive as I've always done, because when things happen, they happen. But I'm not going to stop playing the way I play without fear and with my aggressiveness."

Taylor said getting up from a play toward the warning track or even colliding with the wall is a rite of passage for an outfielder. It is almost like you need to have a play like that to happen. See how it feels. Get up from it and move on.

It was Aug. 27, 2015. Taylor was playing center field for the Nats against the Padres when Melvin Upton smacked a triple off the center field wall. Taylor crashed against the Nats Park wall. His spikes ripped a hole into the wall and he had to leave the game.

"For me, it's almost been good ... I ran into the wall a few years ago on that Melvin Upton line drive to center field," Taylor remembers. "Banged up my knee pretty good. After a while, you kind of see, yeah, you can get hurt, but it's not something that I'm fearful of really.

"For me, it was kind of like, 'OK that wasn't great, but I'm still here and I'm still alive.' You can be afraid of the wall or you can be afraid to dive, but after you do it a couple of times, you realize it's not that bad. Kind of gives you confidence."

That education, learning from diving and crashing against the wall and walking away from it, is what helps Taylor and Robles now. They know they can do it.

What is also interesting about that learning process is how third base coach Bobby Henley guides Robles when the youngster takes the wrong read or comes in too quickly and has to race back. Sometimes your speed can't make up for a bad first step. Henley says youngsters Robles and Juan Soto know when they make a read mistake. He then speaks to them when the time is right to correct the read and move to the next play.

"It's important: How do they receive information?" Henley said. "Sometimes it's OK if you approach them right after. Sometimes they are still really frustrated and you can get them (later). They know they should have thrown the ball to second right there.

"You want to make sure that the message is received, but in the manner that is best for them. It's not about me. It's about them getting the message and understanding where do we go from here. Let's make sure it doesn't happen again this game. Let's correct it and move on."

Henley said there is teaching going on every game, but away from the television cameras or even the fans' eyes.

"When you are, of course, 20, 21 years old, I like to grab them in the hallway. We definitely talk about it the day after," Henley said. "We are probably going to talk about it during that game, out of sight from everyone. We got a pretty good relationship, we communicate really well. There's a lot of trust there, and you want to make sure you keep that trust."

Note: The Nationals announced they have agreed to terms with third baseman Drew Mendoza, their third-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft pout of Florida State, and left-hander Matt Cronin, their fourth-round selection from Arkansas.