Nats Notes: After Switch, Logan Just All Right

THINGS AREN'T GOING WELL for Nook Logan.

He began the season as the Washington Nationals' switch-hitting center fielder, whose speed and bunting ability made the opposition nervous.

He is no longer that man.

Logan now is essentially the club's fifth outfielder, a right-handed batter who abandoned switch-hitting when he was batting .239 in early June. He had always been a better hitter from his natural right side, and the idea had been percolating in his mind and those of some team officials for sometime.

"If I'm better right-handed against righties, then why not?" he said. "I don't think it's as tough as they make it out to be. I did it all my life. If I get some at-bats under my belt, I'll be fine."

Over the previous three seasons, Logan batted .329 from the right side and .246 from the left. But in 14 at-bats since abandoning the left-handed batter's box, Logan has just one hit. His batting average had fallen to .212 entering play Tuesday.

His plate appearances have become rarities. He's started only twice since June 9, mostly relegated to late-inning duties as a pinch hitter or a defensive replacement. Brandon Watson has been starting since his promotion from Triple-A last week. Ryan Langerhans has also seen more time than Logan, largely because he's a left-handed hitter.

Still, Logan is optimistic. He points out players who have flourished since abandoning switch-hitting — Willy Tavarez, for instance — and insists he could, too.

"I still think I can hit better right-handed than left-handed," he said.

» BACK IN THE ATL: Langerhans made a pinch-hitting appearance Monday in his first visit to Atlanta after being traded twice early in the season. The 27-year-old spent his first eight years of professional baseball in the Braves organization.

Langerhans was hitting .068 when he was dealt to Oakland in May, only to be traded four days later to Washington. He's been better, but not much, for the Nationals. His overall average was just .171 entering Tuesday's play, with a .235 mark since arriving in Washington.

» BREAKING EVEN: The Nationals completed the interleague play portion of their schedule with a 9-9 record, including a 4-2 mark against the Baltimore Orioles.

"It will develop into a rivalry at some point," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "Right now it's just starting ... but it's good that the fans feel that way."

Written by Express contributor Derek Turner
Photo by Preston Keres/The Washington Post