Anthony Rendon was selected sixth overall by the Washington Nationals in 2011, carrying significant expectations. A polished college standout from Rice University and Dick Howser Trophy winner, he was a quiet yet skilled infielder with a comprehensive baseball skill set. Within two years, he secured a permanent role in the Nationals’ infield, becoming the reliable, high-impact core of a franchise aiming for long-term success.
His rise to elite status was exemplified by a standout 2014 sophomore season. Taking on a significant role on the field, Rendon overwhelmed National League pitchers by hitting 21 home runs, driving in 83 RBIs, and leading the league with 111 runs scored. His exceptional offensive performance was matched by his technical skill, as he played both second and third base, resulting in a league-leading 6.5 bWAR among NL position players. This achievement earned him his first Silver Slugger Award and placed him fifth in MVP voting.
Despite a challenging 2015 season marred by injuries that temporarily slowed his statistical progress, Rendon’s resilience prepared him for a swift and impressive comeback. In 2016, he recovered perfectly, earning the NL Comeback Player of the Year award after hitting 20 home runs. By 2017, he had elevated his game further, demonstrating exceptional efficiency at third base and using his compact right-handed swing to hit .301 with 100 RBIs. His stellar performance also placed him sixth in MVP voting, making him a dependable superstar central to Washington's lineup.
His crowning achievement in D.C. was a legendary 2019 season, regarded as one of the greatest individual campaigns in district sports history. Known as "Tony Two Bags" for his relentless gap-to-gap hitting, Rendon led the National League with 44 doubles and 126 RBIs. He achieved career highs in all aspects of the slash line, batting .319/.412/.598 with 34 home runs. These feats earned him his first All-Star selection, a second Silver Slugger award, and a third-place finish in MVP voting.
Rendon was not content with just regular-season success and extended his exceptional form into October. Throughout the 2019 postseason, he was a relentless force, producing memorable high-pressure hits, including a vital home run in Game 7 of the World Series against Houston, which helped the Nationals secure their first-ever world championship title.
That emotional mountain peak served as his definitive swan song in Washington. In December 2019, the coveted free agent opted for a move to the West Coast, signing a massive multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. While his subsequent years in Anaheim would be heavily fragmented by injuries, his seven-year residency in Washington remains an untarnished blueprint of championship excellence.
With the Nationals, Rendon accumulated 1,048 hits, 245 doubles, 136 home runs, and 546 RBIs while generating a stellar .290/.369/.490 slash line (126 OPS+).
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