MLB Players: Top 10 old faces in new places for 2020
How acquired: Signed as free agent on Dec. 13
Anthony Rendon did just about all a player could do in 2019. First All-Star Game? Check. Top three MVP finish? Check. Game 7 home run in a World Series victory? Check and check.
Rendon led the majors with 126 RBI last season for the Washington Nationals and led the NL in doubles for the second consecutive year, cracking 44. In 146 games, Rendon slashed .319/.412/.598 with 34 homers, scoring 117 runs and posting an OPS+ of 153.
His October run for the Nationals was terrific as well, hitting .328/.413/.590 in 17 games and 75 plate appearances, with seven doubles, three homers, 11 runs, and 15 RBI.
His home runs seemed to come at opportune times for Washington as well. There was a leadoff shot in the eighth inning off Clayton Kershaw as the Nats came from behind in Game 5 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium to win 7-3 in 10 innings. Washington was down 3-1 entering the inning.
With the Nationals up 3-2 in Game 6 of the World Series and trailing the Astros, 3 games to 2, Rendon’s two-run blast off Will Harris in the seventh inning provided some insurance and his one-out solo job off Zack Greinke in the seventh inning in Game 7 got the Nationals on the board after they had trailed 2-0 and started Washington on the comeback trail in its 6-2 win.
Rendon got a big deal from the Los Angeles Angels, seven years and $245 million and should provide a tremendous 1-2 punch with Mike Trout in the Halos order (now if only he could pitch).