Washington Nationals Editorial: Where Does Daniel Murphy Rank Among Second Basemen in the NL East?

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Our National League East rankings for 2016 continue as we take a look at the second base position.

As we progress with our NL East 2016 Preview ranking the top performers at each position. In our final installment, we will rank the teams based on a system in which each club is awarded five points for a player ranked first place, four points for a player ranked second place, and so on. After taking a look at our third base, center field, and shortstop rankings, read on to see how the Nats’ Daniel Murphy ranks among second basemen in the division.

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Only two National League East starting second basemen from last season remain in the division today. In 2015, the Phillies’ Chase Utley headlined the rankings coming off an All-Star season at age-35. New York’s Daniel Murphy slotted in at second, entering his free agent year at age-30. Following him was the Marlins’ Dee Gordon, who is the only player from last season’s rankings not to change teams. Rounding out the list was Washington’s Yunel Escobar, who did not even record a single inning at second base due to injuries, and switch hitting Alberto Callaspo of the Braves.

Jace Peterson – Atlanta Braves

Peterson appeared in 152 games in 2015, hitting .239/.314/.335 with 126 hits, 23 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 55 runs, 52 RBIs, 12 stolen bases (22 attempts), 56 walks, and 120 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 82 over 597 plate appearances.

After tearing a tendon in his thumb in May of last season, Jace Peterson decided to finish out the year by opting not to get surgery. Instead, he held down the second base position for the entire season amidst Atlanta’s 95-loss campaign, putting together the first full season of his young career. He spent the first two months of this offseason in a cast to help heal his thumb, but is expected to be at full strength by spring training.

Newly-signed veterans Kelly Johnson and Gordon Beckham, while brought on to the club in order to add depth on the bench, will certainly put more pressure on Peterson to succeed in the starting role in 2016. While he ranks among the best second basemen in the league in the field, his offensive production in 2015 was less than spectacular.

With Atlanta bringing in a haul of new prospects through the trades of Shelby Miller and Andrelton Simmons, Peterson’s time as a starter could be running out if he cannot perform in 2016. The impending move of one of Atlanta’s top shortstop prospects Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies across the infield will add to the pressure as Peterson is given one last chance to prove that he can play every day.

Next: #4 Second Baseman in the NL East

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Cesar Hernandez – Philadelphia Phillies

Hernandez appeared in 127 games in 2015, hitting .272/.339/.348 with 110 hits, 20 doubles, four triples, one home run, 57 runs, 35 RBIs, 19 stolen bases (24 attempts), 40 walks, and 86 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 90 over 452 plate appearances.

A 25-year old switch hitter out of Venezuela, Hernandez solidified his role as a starter after he was given the opportunity to play every day once Chase Utley was traded to Los Angeles. Utley had started at second base for the Phillies on Opening Day for eight of the previous ten seasons. In 2016, however, Hernandez will be the first new player to start there for the first game of the season since Freddy Galvis filled in at the start of the 2012 season while Utley began the year on the disabled list.

While Hernandez is being handed the keys a starting role to begin the season, he may find himself competing for playing time with Galvis and Andres Blanco, especially once the number five overall prospect in baseball, J.P. Crawford, completes his development in the minor leagues. Regardless, he projects to bat eighth for a team that has the chance to lose more than 90 games this season. His expectations are not very high, the team is not really expected to compete, and he remains locked in his contract with Philadelphia for another six years. While that may seem like a lost season for an older player, Hernandez could use 2016 to build off of for the rest of his career.

Next: #3 Second Basman in the NL East

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Daniel Murphy – Washington Nationals

Murphy appeared in 130 games in 2015, hitting .281/.322/.449 with 140 hits, 38 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 56 runs, 73 RBIs, two stolen bases (four attempts), 31 walks, and 38 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 113 over 538 plate appearances.

Murphy wrapped up his free agent year with the New York Mets after spending his entire career with the club by helping lead them to their first National League Pennant in fifteen years. He made national headlines after homering in six straight playoff games and winning MVP in the NLCS against the Cubs. Two months in to free agency, Murphy chose to sign with the division rival Nats after New York could not make a better offer.

The left-handed hitting infielder has an extremely low strikeout rate and averages almost 40 doubles per season. He boasts World Series experience and had a slugging percentage last season more than 40 points higher than his All-Star campaign in 2014. While his defense does have a bad reputation, he still remains one of the more consistent second basemen across baseball.

So how does a guy like Murphy land at third on this list? He defense is still a major concern, as it obviously depreciated his value as a free agent this winter. In addition, he has never managed to finish a season with a WAR above 3.0, and has only one over 2.0. However, the fact remains that the Nationals gained a valuable player that fills a need for Washington. He should be expected to have a very productive year at the plate.

Next: #2 Second Basman in the NL East

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Neil Walker – New York Mets

Walker appeared in 151 games in 2015, hitting .269/.328/.427 with 146 hits, 32 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 69 runs, 71 RBIs, four stolen bases (five attempts), 44 walks, and 110 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 107 over 603 plate appearances.

The former Pittsburgh Pirate joins the defending National League Champions following seven consecutive years with the Bucs to start his career after being traded for starter Jon Niese. He is only locked in to his contract for one more season, but with the Mets all-in on 2016, he will certainly be a proven replacement for Murphy at second base.

Walker has played in the postseason in each of the last three seasons, but sports an ugly .065/.121/.097 slash line on the big stage, including the 2013 NL Division Series, in which he went a staggering 0-for-19 at the plate. He has, however, amassed a career WAR of 16.4, the highest total of any player in this ranking.

According to RotoChamp’s projections, Walker is slotted in to bat second in the lineup to start the season. If New York’s number three hitter, David Wright, is able to stay healthy and Yoenis Cespedes can repeat his success at the cleanup spot, New York’s lineup has the potential to be a dangerous force.

With an added incentive to perform during a contract year, Walker is not expected to let up in his crucial age-30 season. He has never played a full season without appearing in at least 110 games, and has not seen less than 129 since 2010. He has the tools to put together a career year, and all signs are pointing toward a big pay day come next offseason.

Next: #1 Second Basman in the NL East

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Dee Gordon – Miami Marlins

Gordon appeared in 145 games in 2015, hitting .333/.359/.418 with a league-leading 205 hits, 24 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 88 runs, 46 RBIs, a league-leading 58 stolen bases (78 attempts), 25 walks, and 91 strikeouts with an OPS+ of 114 over 653 plate appearances.

When the Marlins traded for Gordon prior to the 2015 season, it was a moved that added to the hype surrounding Giancarlo Stanton’s record-setting $325 million contract. In addition to Gordon and Stanton, the team was expected to take a step forward and compete for a division title. While Stanton spent 88 games on the DL and the rest of the team failed to live up to expectations, Gordon stepped forward and solidified himself as one of the top leadoff men in all of baseball.

Gordon won the National League batting title in 2015, earning a second career All-Star selection as well as his first ever Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards. He led all players in stolen bases and found himself on the highlight reel for his defensive efforts on a nightly basis. The Marlins recognized his talent level after only one year with the team, signing him to a $50 million extension this offseason.

The National League East is fairly crowded at the second base position. While Cesar Hernandez and Jace Peterson work to make a name for themselves with developing teams, Daniel Murphy and Neil Walker will be hoping to play integral parts of their own respective playoff runs. While Dee Gordon’s playoff chances may be in limbo, he can at least rest easy with the satisfaction of knowing that he is the best second baseman in the NL East.

We want to hear from you! How do you rank the second baseman in the NL East and where does Daniel Murphy rank on your list?

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