Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto a finalist for Players Choice Award for 2020 NL Outstanding Player + more Nats links...

As we noted recently in a story on Juan Soto and his 2020 campaign, the Nationals’ 21-year-old outfielder finished the 60-game season with the highest batting average among National League hitters, (.351; second-highest in the majors), Major League Baseball’s top OBP, (.490), highest SLG (.695), highest wOBA (.478), highest wRC+ (200), the fifth-most walks (41), and the highest BB% (20.9%) in the 47 games he played and the 196 plate appearances he had, after he started his season late following a positive test for COVID-19 the morning of the season opener.

So, yeah, it makes sense that Soto is a finalist, along with the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and the Braves’ Freddie Freeman, for the Players Choice NL’s Outstanding Player Award. Will he win?

Soto is also a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award. Also, Players Choice should probably have a possessive apostrophe...

Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Juan Soto among finalists for MLBPA’s 2020 NL Outstanding Player Award - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Soto’s 2020 campaign saw him claim the NL batting title (.351 average) while pacing the majors in on-base percentage (.490), slugging percentage (.695) and OPS (1.185)."

Soto a finalist for 2020 Hank Aaron Award - (MASN)
"He had an OPS of 1.185, the highest of any qualified hitter since Barry Bonds in 2004."

Nats to select No. 11 in 2021 First-Year Player Draft - (MASN)
"The order for the 2021 First-Year Player Draft was unveiled Monday with the Nationals selecting at the No. 11 position in the first round."

Vote for 2020 Hank Aaron Award nominees - (MLB.com)
"The Nationals' superstar led the NL in all three slash line categories -- winning his first batting title with a .351 average while also posting the best on-base percentage (.490), slugging percentage (.695) and OPS (1.185) in the Major Leagues."

Was this the end of the line for Sánchez in D.C.? - (MASN)
“'You saw how he pitched the last couple outings. I think he still has stuff left in the tank.' - Manager Davey Martinez on Sanchez."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Jose Altuve’s yips latest in line of strange postseason events for Dusty Baker - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Tuesday night produced another installment. It was a sixth inning this time, not a fateful fifth like in Nationals Park..."

NL EAST UPDATES:

The first step toward normalcy at Citizens Bank Park in 2021 - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"The lost games and lost ticket sales caused the sport to lose billions and teams like the Phillies (who remained dedicated to their employees) to lose more than $100 million."

Analyzing the Mets' decision to let Travis d'Arnaud go: How big was the mistake? - (SNY/Yahoo)
"Watching Travis d'Arnaud hit frozen ropes all over the place as the Atlanta Braves have dominated in the playoffs is an ugly sight for Mets fans who watched Wilson Ramos hit .239/.297/.387 this season."

Miguel Rojas adds impact bat to solidify himself as everyday shortstop - (Fish Stripes)
"Miguel Rojas is without a doubt the heart and soul of the Miami Marlins baseball club."

Braves are making the improbable real against the Dodgers in NLCS - (ESPN)
"The Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers again. The same Dodgers who only four times this year lost back-to-back games."