Washington Nationals’ All-Star third basemen Anthony Rendon is on pace to break some records in his outstanding 2019 campaign.
It is hard to believe that 2019 was the first time in his career Anthony Rendon was named an All-Star. The Washington Nationals’ third baseman has been worthy of the nod almost his entire career, but this season Rendon is taking things to another level.
Coming into today the Nationals have 40 games left in their season. That will be roughly another 150 at-bats or so for Rendon. With that many chances still out there, Rendon already on the season has 27 home runs, a career-high, 97 runs batted in, four away from a career-high, and a .605 slugging percentage.
Throughout his time in D.C. Rendon never has been seen as a true power hitter, but with a slugging percentage that high, 62 extra-base hits and likely around 35 home runs, that narrative has changed this season.
It is not just personal records that Rendon is on pace to break, he has a good shot at dethroning Ryan Zimmerman for the most RBI in a Nationals’ season. Zimmerman set the mark in 2006, driving in 110 on the year. With 40 games to play Rendon is only 13 RBI away from that mark, and unless he goes ice cold down the stretch, should pass it easily.
Forget the fact that he is a free agent at the end of the season, and that the Nationals may think they will be okay without him, Anthony Rendon is putting together an M.V.P caliber season before our very eyes. Washington has not had a player hit 35 or more home runs since Bryce Harper did it back in 2015, and only one National ever has hit 35 plus and driven in 100 plus RBIs, Ryan Zimmerman in 2017.
Anthony Rendon is putting together one of the best seasons a National ever has. His future is extremely uncertain. There is a decent chance at this time next year Rendon will not be wearing a curly W, but for now, just appreciate the greatness we are witnessing on a daily basis.