Difo grateful for experience, set for next step

WASHINGTON — As he reflected on his rookie season, Wilmer Difo came away grateful to be on the postseeason roster even after appearing in just 31 games during the regular season. In that short stint in the big leagues, the Nationals came away impressed by Difo as he showed flashes that he belonged in the Majors full-time.

Now Difo, 24, could be in position to assume a larger role next season. The team traded away Danny Espinosa this past weekend, and Stephen Drew remains a free agent, meaning that perhaps Difo will begin the season as the Nats’ primary backup middle infielder. He believes his experiences last season, and especially in the postseason, could prove valuable for him.

“Those kind of high-impact situations that I was in last year will help me for this upcoming season,” Difo said through an interpreter at the Nationals’ WinterFest this past weekend. “I feel like from now on, I can slow myself down. It seems like that’s the big thing to learn, is to be prepared for those situations and …

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