Washington Nationals Editorial: 2015 First Half Awards
Jul 12, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals celebrate on the field after defeating Baltimore Orioles 3-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals end the first half of the season with the fourth best record in the National League and leading the NL East over the New York Mets by two games. The Nationals have not played their best baseball at times, but they have found a way to enter the All-Star Break still with a good chance to make the postseason. Plus, the team could have another surge coming out of the break as they will have four of the core players (Denard Span, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, and Anthony Rendon) hopefully returning from the disabled list in the coming weeks, along with a healthy Stephen Strasburg.
President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo is also going to be looking to add depth at the trade deadline, so we will have a crazy second half for sure in the Nation’s Capital. The second half of the season begins Friday when the Nats start a three game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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We saw some great moments in the first half from Bryce Harper‘s three home run game against the Marlins on May 6, to Max Scherzer‘s no hitter against the Pirates on June 20. After the All-Star break, there are sure to be more moments that will make this team potentially the best Nationals’ team in their team history. In this piece, we will depict the players that helped that cause, and a few players that didn’t help the cause.
Here are my picks for some awards for Nationals’ players in the first half of the season:
Next: First Half MVP
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
Jun 9, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
First Half Cy Young: Max Scherzer
This almost takes no thought at all, because when you think Nationals pitching, Max Scherzer is the first person that comes to mind. Scherzer is easily putting together the best year of his career, even better than his Cy Young year in 2013. He has a pitched to a 10-7 record, 2.11 ERA, has had 150 strike outs to only 14 walks, and a 0.78 WHIP.
Coming into the 2015 season, Scherzer had only thrown one complete game. This season he has pitched three complete games, including a no-hitter. Scherzer is also doing a great job controlling his pitches, as he has only walked 14 batters in 18 starts, which is a good accomplishment.
Scherzer also leads the MLB with an 0.78 WHIP. Zach Greinke (0.84) of the Dodgers and Johnny Cueto (0.90) of the Reds are second and third in WHIP in 2015 respectively.
You could easily make a strong case for Scherzer to be the first half MVP as well, but as long as Scherzer continues to pitch this well he will cruise to his second Cy Young award.
Honorable Mention: Drew Storen
Drew Storen has been nothing short of fantastic out of the bullpen for the Nationals. He has a 1.89 ERA, converted 27 saves out of 29 opportunities, and has 38 strike outs. His 27 saves are tied for second in the NL behind only All-Star closer Mark Melancon of the Pirates with 29.
He is a much different pitcher in 2015 then he was in the past. Most people remember him in the playoffs in 2012 and 2014, blowing saves against the Cardinals and Giants, but that is not the case so far this year. He is attacking hitters with his fastball and slider, and not trying to be cute with his pitches.
Storen is the obvious leader of the Nationals back half of the bullpen and he’ll look to build off his strong start in the second half as he hopes to finish the season as the top closer in the MLB.
Next: Biggest Surprise
Apr 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Turner Field. The Nationals defeated the Braves 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Surprise: Denard Span
Denard Span has been a spark plug for the Nationals in 2015 when he has been healthy and has helped set the table for All-Star Bryce Harper. Span has slashed .304/.367/.430, five home runs, 22 RBI, 37 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 59 games.
As a team the Nationals only have 33 stolen bases as a team, and Span has 11 of them. While Span hasn’t been aggressive in stealing bases because of his reoccurring back spasms, he has still contributed in other ways. His .367 on-base percentage is third on the team, behind Harper and Escobar.
The center fielder has shown a patient eye at the plate walking 24 times, and only striking out 26 times. At 31-years-old it looks like Span has put it all together. He has proven President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo right when he acquired the outfielder in a trade with the Twins back in November 2012.
Honorable Mention: Michael Taylor
Michael Taylor, a 24-year-old rookie, has been a nice surprise in 2015. He’s played every outfield position this year, and played them extremely well. The outfielder has slashed .246/.296/.375, with six home runs, 32 RBI, 24 runs scored and eight stolen bases.
While his average leaves some to be desired, he still has been asked to do a lot in his first full Major League season. Taylor’s defense has been stellar this season, the outfielder has committed only two errors all season, and has a .988 fielding percentage at the end of the first half. Both of his errors have come from when he has been playing center field. Plus, Taylor has made some game saving plays in left field over the course of the first half.
While Taylor does have 79 strikeouts this year, he hit .283 in the month of June, when he was getting more playing time due to injuries. The Nats have used him in different parts of the order this season, whether it be in the leadoff spot or the bottom of the lineup.
In the second half Taylor’s playing time may be cut back, with Jayson Werth coming back from injury. However Taylor could make a case with a strong second half that he should be an everyday outfielder when the 2016 regular season begins.
Next: Biggest Disappointment
Jun 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Disappointment: Ian Desmond
The Washington Nationals were hoping that Ian Desmond could at least show the power he provided with the club in 2014. However, he was a big disappointment for the Nats in the first half. The shortstop slashed .211/.255/.334 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 36 runs scored and five stolen bases.
In a contract year, Desmond has regressed a lot, and has a lot of people around the game wondering when prospect Trea Turner will take over shortstop full time. The 29-year-old is seventh in the MLB in strike outs with 99. Most of his issues stem from that problem right there, as he’s only walked 17 times in 2015. He needs to show more patience at the plate, if he wants to turn that around his season.
Another problem with Desmond has been in the field. He has made 20 errors, which is the most in the National League and the second most in all of baseball (Marcus Semien with 28).
In my opinion, I don’t see Desmond being able to turn around his play in 2015, and I believe Turner will take over at shortstop sometime in August if the Nats are able to trade Desmond before the July 31 trade deadline.
Honorable Mention: Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg has struggled all around in 2015, whether it’s been staying healthy or having control of his pitches The first half of the 2015 season has been arguably Strasburg’s worst in his six-year career. He is 5-5 with a 5.16 ERA, has 63 strike outs, 18 walks and a 1.49 WHIP in 13 starts.
Coming off a Cy Young type season in 2014, the right-hander just hasn’t been able to carry that success into 2015 and has been getting hit hard. His batting average against this season has been .289. In Strasburg’s last seven starts, he went 3-2 with a 5.65 ERA, had 31 strike outs to eight walks, and had a 1.36 WHIP. He’s given up 31 hits in those seven games in 28 innings of work. He is currently on the disabled list because of a left oblique strain he suffered on July 4 against the San Francisco Giants.
Hopefully in the second half of the season, the Nationals will get back the pitcher they had in 2014, and not the pitcher that Strasburg has been for the most part this season.
Next: Best Call-Up
Jun 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross (41) throws to the Pitsburgh Pirates during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Best Call-Up: Joe Ross
Joe Ross was called up from double-A Harrisburg back on June 5 when both Doug Fister and Stephen Strasburg were on the disabled list. The 22-year-old rookie made three starts and went 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA. He had 23 strike outs, only two walks, and a 1.03 WHIP in 20.1 innings of work.
He faced three good teams over that stretch, pitching against the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates in that order, with his only loss coming to the Cubs on June 6. After his start June 19th against the Pirates in which he gave up one run on six hits and struck out 11 in 7.1 innings, he was sent back down to triple-A Syracuse to continue his development as a starter.
Ross has pitched great between Harrisburg and Syracuse in 2015. He has gone 4-3 with a 2.79 ERA, has 66 strike outs to 19 walks and a 1.09 WHIP.
The Nationals found a gem in Ross when they acquired him via a trade with the San Diego Padres this past winter. Ross has the potential to be a solid number three starter in the future. When there is a spot available for him should someone get hurt, the Nats know they can count on Ross to not be afraid of the moment and to continue to pound the strike zone.
Honorable Mention: Felipe Rivero
The Nationals have had success bringing up young relievers this season, but their biggest success to date has been Rivero. The relief pitcher is 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA, 17 strike outs, two walks, and a 0.93 WHIP in 15 innings. His best game to date was against the Atlanta Braves on July 1, where he threw two scoreless innings and recorded two strike outs.
The 24-year-old lefty is pitching so well that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take over the setup man role for the Nationals in the not so distant future. Again, the Nationals to not many people’s surprise, have found another pitching gem in their farm system. As long as he can consistently continue to attack hitters, he will work his way into a prominent role in the Nationals bullpen in the near future.