Outfielder, moving steadily through Nats’ ranks, having All-Star year
Players have come and gone all summer at Double-A Harrisburg. Some were promoted quickly to Triple-A Columbus — or even reached the big leagues with the Nationals — others were lost to injury. By July, the Senators roster looked little like the one that began the season.
About the lone constant has been outfielder Mike Daniel, a seventh-round draft pick in 2005 who has methodically progressed through the farm system.
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Daniel, 24, watched as fellow Harrisburg outfielder Justin Maxwell was lost for the season due to a right wrist injury May 29. Outfielder Roger Bernadina hit so well he was promoted directly to Washington, earned some big-league experience, and then settled at Columbus. That’s life in the minors. Harrisburg has just taken things to an extreme, using 58 different players so far. Daniel is the only Opening Day starter left and the only player to remain on the active roster the entire season.
“I’m definitely the veteran right now. I’m pretty much giving everybody a heads up on what to expect at this level,” said Daniel, who entered the weekend batting .258 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI. “But it’s been fun — a lot of guys coming in and out. But everybody’s been great teammates and it’s amazing how we’ve been able to keep good chemistry.”
Daniel hoped to build on a solid 2007, where he led all Nats minor leaguers with 143 hits. But despite a strong start, 2008 has been a mixed bag for Daniel, whose average was .302 entering July and earned him an Eastern League All-Star spot. Since then, however, Daniel has 32 hits in 173 at-bats and his on-base average has dropped to .342.
“Maybe it’s disappointing as far as average, but [Daniel] has a good swing, uses the whole field,” said Bobby Williams, the Nats director of player development. “We have a lot of talented outfielders in the system and Mike gets overshadowed sometimes. There are no huge weaknesses, though, He can run and play all three outfield positions.”
That versatility will serve Daniel well as he prepares for a critical 2009. He started the season as a corner outfielder, but moved to center once Maxwell was hurt and Bernadina promoted. That’s a full summer to work on angles and his routes to the ball at that spot. Strikeouts are an issue with 116 so far and his arm is just average. But Daniel also stole 25 bases last season and has 17 so far for the Senators. His power numbers have increased as well, with a career-high 14 home runs to go with 11 doubles and two triples.
“Double-A is where you need to shine. That’s where you prove that you can play at the next level,” Daniel said. “So I think I’m in the right spot, making steady progress. I just feel like I’m doing a good job of trying to get better every day.”
The Daniel file
» Regarded as a gap-to-gap hitter, Daniel had 21 home runs in 1,084 professional at-bats in three pro seasons before posting his career-high of 14 entering weekend play.
» The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Daniel played college baseball at North Carolina. He was ranked 23rd among the Nats prospects by Baseball America before the season.
» An All-Star selection the last three seasons in the short-season New York-Penn League (Vermont), low-A South Atlantic League (Hagerstown) and AA Eastern League (Harrisburg).
