Washington Nationals Editorial: 2015 First Half Awards
By Shane Miller
Jul 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Washington won 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
First Half MVP: Bryce Harper
The one player that has lead the Nationals to such a great record is their young superstar Bryce Harper, who is enjoying the best season he has had as a professional.He really is a no brainer decision for this pick, and no one can really tell you differently. The right fielder is slashing .339/.464/.704 with 26 home runs, 61 RBI and 59 runs scored.
The one stat that has really lead to Harper’s career year, is the patience he has displayed at the plate this season. He has walked 63 times, a career-high. Previously his career high was 61 times in 2013, when he was also an All-Star. Harper also leads the Nationals in walks in 2015. The closest to Harper is second baseman Danny Espinosa with 26. Espinosa is also closest to Harper on the team in home runs with ten.
Harper has carried the Nationals to many wins in 2015, and his WAR currently is sitting at 6.16. That is the highest in the MLB this year. Mike Trout (5.92) and Paul Goldschmidt (5.61) are second and third in WAR behind the 22-year-old right fielder.
As you can see without Harper’s bat in the lineup, the Nationals would not be in the position they are currently in leading the division.
Honorable Mention: Yunel Escobar
We have seen a career resurgence from Yunel Escobar in 2015. He is slashing .315/.364/.403 with four home runs, 27 RBI and 40 runs scored. Escobar, who has really only played shortstop throughout his eight-year career, has exclusively played third base for the Nationals in 2015.
One of the things that has stood out about Escobar’s season was his ability to play any position. He was supposed to play second base, but an injury to Anthony Rendon in spring training had Escobar move to third base, a position he volunteered to play before the season began. He has made only three errors in 74 games at third this season.
Escobar leads the Nationals in hits in 2015 with 97, three more than Harper. Escobar should have no problem continuing this level play going into the second half of the season, and leading the Nationals to another NL East Championship.
Next: First Half Cy Young