Washington Nationals Editorial: Five Most All-Star Worthy Nats
The Washington Nationals are heading into the All-Star Break holding first place in the National League East and the fourth best record in the NL overall. While riddled with injuries across the roster, many different players have stepped up for the Nats over the first half of the season. Five players in particular have made the push for a selection for this season’s Midsummer Classic.
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Some players, such as the new record holder for most fan votes ever, are no-doubters for this list, and would surprise everyone across baseball if they didn’t make the team tonight. Others, like the most massively underrated infielder in baseball, are on the fringe, and have a chance at making the team as reserves. Last summer, Jordan Zimmermann and the now-departed Tyler Clippard represented the Nats at Target Field, where the American League beat the National League 5-3.
This season, Washington looks to be well-represented once again, this time at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is not only for publicity however, as the Nats have a very legitimate reason for wanting the win. The winner of the All-Star Game earns homefield advantage for their team representative in the World Series. As one of the top favorites to take home the Commissioner’s Trophy, having home field advantage in Game 7 can go a long way.
The fans have spoken, the votes are in. With the official announcement scheduled for Sunday night, which Nationals are punching plane tickets to Cincinnati on July 14th? How many will make the cut?
Next: #HarperIn15
Jun 20, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) watches his solo home run leave the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Harper
Big surprise, right?
The Nationals 6’3″, 215 lb right fielder, who can apparently squat 405 lbs, is leading the way in votes across the entire league, sitting at a cool 11.4 million votes and counting. This mark, surpassing Buster Posey‘s 2012 number of 7,621,370, is a new National League record. He isn’t earning those votes just for his likability (which is apparently quite scarce), this honor is well-deserved. Through the team’s first 81 games, Harper has been the undisputed MVP not just of the Nationals, but of the entire National League.
At the midpoint of the season, Bryce Harper has put up a stunning .344/.407/.719 slash line to go along with 25 home runs, 60 RBIs, 57 runs scored, and 60 walks. He is in the top five in nearly every offensive category, including leading the NL in runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.
Harper is no stranger to the Midsummer Classic, as this will be his third appearance during his four-year career. This season will be his second career start in an All-Star Game, as he hit ninth in the lineup in 2013. This year, he will most likely be hitting third or fourth. Among projected starters from the last NL All-Star Ballot update, Harper is the only player in the top two in batting average, on-base percentage, and home runs.
Leading into the 2015 season, Bryce was a popular pick to finally have his breakout season. While many believed he would crack the MVP conversation, nobody expected him to completely dominate the league. The scariest part? The 22-year old phenom hasn’t even hit his prime.
Next: #ChocolateSyrup
Jun 20, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after recording the final out of a no hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 6 – 0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Max Scherzer
While his teammate has lead the way in MVP conversations, Max Scherzer has taken a stranglehold over the Cy Young discussion. The first-year National has made his 7-year, $210 million deal almost look like an underpayment. Through the first half of the season, Scherzer has made 16 starts, going 9-6 with a 1.82 ERA, 0.775 WHIP, 139 strikeouts, and three complete games as part of a league-leading 118.2 innings.
Scherzer has made the All-Star Game in each of the past two seasons, representing the Detroit Tigers for the American League. In his Cy Young-winning 2013 season, Scherzer made the start for the AL, and followed up in 2014 earning the win in relief. This season, Max looks to be the probable starter for the National League, as he ranks in the top three among all NL starting pitchers in ERA, WHIP, wins, strikeouts, walks, and IP.
The 30-year old superstar has put up even historic numbers, putting together one of the most dominant back-to-back appearances the sport has ever seen. From June 14th through June 20th, Scherzer pitched two complete game shutouts, allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out 26 batters. He became the second player in franchise history to throw a no-hitter, following up Jordan Zimmermann’s no-no in the final game of the 2014 season.
About as unquestionable a pick as Harper, Max Scherzer is a no-doubter to make the All-Star Game, even without the fan vote. The biggest question surrounding Scherzer may just be, who wins the ASG MVP? Him or Harper?
Next: #Drooooooo
May 24, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) records a save against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Drew Storen
While Scherzer and Harper are locks to make the All-Star Game, the rest of the Nationals roster holds a few fringe players that deserve to make it but may be left on the outside looking in. One of the names is Drew Storen, the Nats closer who has been absolutely filthy so far this season. Converting 24 of 26 save opportunities to the tune of a 2.03 ERA and 6.00 SO/BB ratio, Storen has been the most underrated closer in the National League.
While Storen doesn’t hold the name recognition other established NL closers like Craig Kimbrel and Trevor Rosenthal have earned, that does not take away from his impact on the field this season. Among NL closers that have recorded at least 20 saves this season, Storen ranks in the top three in saves, walks allowed, home runs allowed, BAA, FIP, and WHIP.
Despite posting a sub-3.00 ERA in three of the past four seasons, Storen has never made the All-Star Game. During his career, he has seen fellow bullpen arms like Tyler Clippard and Matt Capps make the trip to the Midsummer Classic, but he has yet to make the trip himself.
His playoff meltdowns are a distant memory, Drew Storen has revitalized his young career and deserves a spot on the National League All-Star Team. Only 27-years old, Drew has been the third best player on the Nats, shortening games on a consistent basis and providing manager Matt Williams with a rock in the ninth inning that he can depend on.
Next: #VoteYuni
Jun 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar (5) celebrates at home plate after hitting a three run home run during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Yunel Escobar
There may not be a word in the English language better suited to describe Yunel Escobar this season than underrated. The Nationals infielder has taken the leagueby storm, hitting .318/.369/.410 with 17 extra base hits, 27 RBIs, and 40 runs scored. It is his first time hitting over .300 since his rookie season with the Atlanta Braves back in 2007, when he finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Officially classified as a second baseman on the All-Star ballot, Escobar is currently sitting fifth in the fan vote at a little over 2 million votes. He is still four million votes behind the Marlins’ second baseman, Dee Gordon, the leading vote getter at the position. He is very unlikely to catch up in time. Able to play three infield positions, Escobar would bring versatility to the NL All-Star Team that not many other reserve players would have.
In his nine-year career, Escobar has never made an All-Star appearance, despite being a .279 career hitter. He has been a workhorse, playing in at least 133 games every season other than his rookie year. On the Nationals, he has been the steady performer that has righted the ship when the team struggles.
He has also sustained a team-high five HBPs, continuing to work through soreness and has missed eight total games. With many players out due to injury, Escobar has stepped up and filled in for whichever position the team needed. He has hit in the No. 3 spot in the lineup, seeing tougher pitches due to batting in front of Harper.
Next: #Spanning
Jun 24, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Denard Span (2) makes a sliding catch on a fly ball during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Denard Span
Another player that has never made an All-Star appearance, Denard Span, has manned centerfield at a Gold Glove-caliber level while producing at the top of the Nationals lineup as well as any leadoff hitter in the league. Hitting .310/.375/.440 on the year with 20 extra base hits, 11 steals, and 24 walks in 57 games, the speedy lefty has been more than worth his $9 million team option for this season.
Among center fielders that have played at least 50 games this season, Span ranks first in batting average, second in on-base percentage, fourth in doubles, and tied for fifth in stolen bases. He is arguably the best fielder among them, and one of the few bona fide leadoff hitters. While Denard has no chance of making the team via the fan vote, he still has a shot at making it as a reserve or injury replacement.
Throughout his career as a National, Denard Span has established himself as the table setter of the Washington lineup and a vital key to the team’s success. Now a free agent-to-be, Span has seen that his days in a Nationals uniform are numbered, and taken that and turned it into success on the field.
The Nationals have a talented roster filled with players very deserving of making the All-Star Game. Whether it be Bryce Harper’s power or Drew Storen’s mystifying slider, the possibilities of what this team can accomplish extend as far as the Commissioner’s Trophy. While the Nats are practically guaranteed to have two players donning the curly W in Cincinnati on July 14th, the Washington club boasts other players who may make the team as well. MLB releases the starters tonight at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN, and the pitchers and reserves will be chosen on Monday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. How many Nationals will make the team? Tune in to find out.