Willie Harris - Fantasy News & Updates
Willie Harris - Fantasy News & Updates
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Harris apparently suffered the injury during an at-bat in the fifth inning which resulted in a strikeout. He finishes the year with a .235 batting average, seven home runs, 27 RBIs, 47 runs and 11 stolen bases.
Harris has hit safely in five of six ballgames, and he looks to finish the season as a regular in the Nats' outfield. He's switched between left and center field on nearly a game-by-game basis, but it doesn't matter where he plays as long as he's on the field. NL-only leaguers should still find value in him.
Harris' main value, of course, is tied up in the fact that he is eligible all over the diamond and can be slotted in at nearly every position, making him an appealing contributor in leagues with daily changes. His versatility might have gotten him in the door, but his recent play in place of the injured Nyjer Morgan has kept him in the room as he's crossed home seven times in 11 games and has drawn an impressive seven walks against only three strikeouts, putting himself in great position to be driven in by some of the Nats' heavy hitters.
Harris has had a rough go of it filling in for the lightning-fast Nyjer Morgan in center field -- until now. With two homers in the last two games, Harris could be on the verge of reasserting himself as a viable all-purpose option in NL-only play. All in all, he's hitting just .230 with seven jacks, 23 RBIs and nine steals.
The scrappy veteran has received the bulk of the playing time in center ever since Nyjer Morgan went down after breaking his left hand on Aug. 27, but until Sunday's homer, the 31-year-old had not done much to distinguish himself since then, going 5-for-29 with a home run and two runs scored. There should be better outfield options available on most league's waiver wires.
A rough piece of news given that the center fielder hit .365 with 16 steals in 37 games after the All-Star break. Morgan injured the hand while sliding into third base on a stolen base attempt in the first inning. Next up for Morgan is a flight to Baltimore, where he'll visit with a hand specialist and be reevaluated. It was a breakout year for the 29-year-old, who hit .307 with 39 RBIs, 73 runs and 40 steals in 119 combined games with the Pirates and Nationals. Willie Harris replaced Morgan in center field and figures to get the lion's share of playing time in his absence.
Harris has two multi-hit games in his last three efforts, but he might not be back in the starting lineup Thursday. Nyjer Morgan is expected to start in center field after sitting two games with flu-like symptoms, so Harris will have to find another spot on the field to continue his starting role.
Morgan was actually available to play Wednesday, but interim manager Jim Riggleman opted to give the outfielder another day of rest. As he did Tuesday, Willie Harris replaced Morgan in center field Wednesday.
After a brief run in center field, Harris has again been relegated to backup duty in the Nationals infield, and the epic slump certainly doesn't help change that dynamic anytime soon.
Zimmerman was hit on his shoulder by Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton on Monday, though he remained in that game and even hit a homer an inning later. "I'm fine," said Zimmerman on Tuesday. "I'm a little banged up. ... I'm going to get some treatment." Willie Harris took over third base for the Nats on Tuesday.
Nationals manager Jim Riggleman opted to put Willie Harris in center field and the leadoff spot, giving Morgan an extra day of rest before the team travels to Milwaukee for a four-game series against the Brewers beginning Monday. Morgan said the injury was nothing serious. "I just lost water over the last few days and just dehydrated and pulled it a little bit," he said. In 20 games with the Nationals, Morgan is batting .372 with 11 stolen bases.
This fits Hernandez, whose defensive skills could make him a valuable fill-in anywhere in the infield, but it obviously doesn't do much for his fantasy value. Most of the playing time at second base will go to Alberto Gonzalez, with Ronnie Belliard and Willie Harris getting occasional starts. Gonzalez, who has a .299-1-17 line in 139 at-bats, might be worth a look in NL-only leagues. He's eligible at shortstop and second base.
Whether Johnson and Harris want to stay or go, with nine days to go before the Trade Deadline, both players realize that their days with the Nationals could be numbered. Johnson's name has been mentioned in trade talks since early May, with such teams as the Giants reportedly showing an interest in him. Even if he isn't dealt, he will become a free agent after the season, but he is talking like a man who doesn't want to leave Washington. "It's a good bunch of guys. If things happen, they happen," Johnson said.
Both Zimmerman and Willingham are in hitting slumps. Zimmerman has hit 10-for-59 [.179] since July 1, and Willingham has seen his batting average go down from .304 at the All-Star break to .284 entering Monday's action. "It's strictly to have a day, sit back, watch [a game] and regroup a little bit," Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. Riggleman inserted Willie Harris at third and Austin Kearns in right field.
Harris made good on his reputation as a jack-of-all-trades by manning third base -- where he started the game in place of Ryan Zimmerman, who was away from the team attending his grandmother's funeral -- left and center fields in Friday's loss to the Astros. The 31-year-old veteran can do a little bit of everything on the diamond, but a lack of playing time and a career .248 average limits his value to deeper NL-only leagues.
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