Washington Nationals: Rendon’s Red Hot Start Underappreciated

Various Washington Nationals storylines have distracted fans, locally and nationally, from realizing how great Anthony Rendon has been in 2019.

The Washington Nationals are off to a poor start in 2019, but Anthony Rendon is most certainly not.

While he’s not an outspoken player by any measure, he must want to prove his worth to the Nationals while in his contract year.

He is doing just that, posting team-best marks in just about every offensive category.  However, due to the situation with the bullpen, pressure mounting for the team to sign Craig Kimbrel, and the emergence of Victor Robles, not enough people are paying attention to Rendon’s greatness right now.

In all honesty, this article could simply detail how Rendon’s entire incredible career is seemingly going unnoticed outside of D.C.  After all, he, somehow, has yet to be named to an all-star team.

The good thing for Nats fans, and Rendon, is that shocking omission won’t last beyond this season, barring an injury or a career-worst slump.

So far in 2019, Rendon is slashing .429 with a 1.371 OPS and a 231 wRC+.  He has compiled 14 RBI’s and has scored 15 runs himself.  In addition to his nearly flawless defense, Rendon’s hot start is as good as any player in baseball right now.

Rendon has struck out less than one time per game in 2019 and is crushing the baseball.  His medium plus hard contact percentage is over 80%.

Going into yesterday’s game against the Phillies, Rendon was one of four position players with a 1.0 WAR or higher. Two of the other three are Mike Trout and Cody Bellinger.  It’s safe to say, Trout and Bellinger are in good company.

Perhaps this is the year Rendon finally gets the national recognition he deserves.  He is on record saying he doesn’t prefer the glitz and glamor of being a professional baseball superstar, but as Nats fans, we want him to experience it.

Rendon, by himself, is more than good enough to start in the All-Star Game for the National League.  The Nationals, as a team, have enough pieces for Rendon to put himself on full display in the playoffs.  2019 is the year it may all finally come together.