Andrew Stevenson stood out over the last few weeks of the 2020 campaign and made sure the Washington Nationals will remember him when 2021 roster-building starts and made his case that he deserves to spend some time with the Washington Nationals during the 2021 season.
At the Nats Report, we talked with Andrew Stevenson and asked him about what it was like to play baseball during COVID-19; and he briefly spoke about what it was like to be inside the clubhouse during 2019.
The Washington Nationals drafted Andrew Stevenson in the second round of the 2015 MLB draft from Louisiana State University.
Stevenson made his Nationals debut back on July 23, 2017, when the Nationals played against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Stevenson did a great job towards the end of the 2020 season at the plate. In 2020, Stevenson went 15 for 36 with seven doubles, a triple, two home runs, four walks, and eight strikeouts over a total of 41 plate appearances.
Stevenson spent most of the summer working out of the Nationals Alternate Training site in Fredericksburg, VA but got called up to join the Washington Nationals roster.
Q&A With Andrew Stevenson
The Nats Report (TNR): What was it like playing baseball this year during COVID-19, and was there anything that you learned from this experience?
Andrew Stevenson: It was definitely a different feel. You had to rely more on your teammates and the dugout to bring the energy throughout the game.
TNR: Towards the end of the season, you were getting hot at the plate. What were some of the keys to your success, and how do you plan on carrying that success over into next year’s season?
Andrew Stevenson: I was just trying to stay loose and relaxed up there. I was just taking what they gave me and didn’t try to force anything.
TNR: In 2019, the Washington Nationals won the World Series, and you were in the clubhouse. What was the vibe like during the season and the playoffs? How do you think it was different this season?
Andrew Stevenson: It was fun and loose. We had a great group of guys that showed up every day ready to compete.
TNR: In last year’s Wild Card Game, you were pinch-running when Juan Soto laced the line drive into right field, and you became the tying run. What was going through your mind during that at-bat and while you were rounding third?
Andrew Stevenson: I was at second base, and the only thing on my mind was that if Juan got a hit right here, I was scoring. That crowd was unbelievable, and I was very fired up to be a part of that.
TNR: What are some of your plans to improve your game and make the Nationals team in the spring? What lessons are you going to be taking away from training during previous seasons?
Andrew Stevenson: I’m going to put the work in this offseason to be ready for spring training and give myself the best chance to help the Nationals win next season.
TNR: What was it like hitting a home run against two-time Cy-Young winner Jacob deGrom?
Andrew Stevenson: He is one of the best in the game, and it’s always great when you get a chance to face guys like him because you have lock-in and if they give you a good pitch to hit, you can’t miss it because that might be the only one you get that at-bat.
TNR: What has been your favorite memory so far while being a Washington National?
Andrew Stevenson: Running to the mound to celebrate with the guys after winning the World Series last season will be something I will never forget.
TNR: What is your favorite baseball movie, and why?
Andrew Stevenson: The Sandlot has always been my favorite. I will watch it anytime it is on TV. It reminds me of growing up and playing baseball with my friends in the backyard.
You can follow Andrew Stevenson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/astevenson6
