Washington Nationals: Three Nats Make All-Star Team; Max Scherzer Snubbed

Max Scherzer was snubbed from the NL All-Star team. Plain and simple.

Yesterday the rest of the All-Star rosters were announced, with the Washington Nationals having three players named to the team. Kyle Schwarber, Juan Soto, and Trea Turner are the Nationals representatives, all making their first appearance.

This is long overdue for Turner. A broken hand cost him an opportunity in 2017 and he was named to the final vote in 2018, but just missed out. The speedster is leading the way for the Nationals, hitting .318, with 14 homers, 38 RBIs, and an OPS of .879.

A month ago, there was no way Schwarber was going to make the team. But then he went on one of the most impressive streaks in baseball history. The slugger clubbed 16 homers in 18 games, a feat that has only been accomplished by Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds. On the season, Schwarber is hitting .253, with 25 homers, 53 RBIs, and an OPS of .910.

After setting the world on fire from 2018-2020, Soto is having a down year comparatively. However, he is still hitting .278, with nine homers, 37 RBIs, and an OPS of .831.

While congratulations are in order for those three, another National was shockingly snubbed from the All-Star team.

Max Scherzer deserves better

Almost 37, Max Scherzer is having one of the best years of his Hall of Fame career. In 94.1 innings, he is 7-4, with a 2.10 ERA, 127 strikeouts, and a 3.08 FIP. Regardless of the righties’ ability to defy father time, he was left off of the NL All-Star Team.

Instead, Jacob deGrom, Kevin Gausman, Zach Wheeler, Germán Márquez, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Yu Darvish, and Trevor Rogers all got the nod.

Jacob deGrom was a no-brainer. The Mets ace is off to one of the greatest starts for a starting pitcher in baseball history. His 0.95 ERA in 14 starts is unheard of.

Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes have been instrumental in the Brewers leading the NL Central. Ditto for Kevin Gausman and the Giants.

Despite his team’s struggles, Zach Wheeler has given the Phillies everything and then some. The veteran leads the majors in strikeouts and is second in fWAR. Trevor Rogers has been a pleasant surprise for the Marlins, posting a 2.14 ERA in 92.1 innings.

Germán Márquez is having an excellent season, but he was chosen because each team receives at least one representative. Love or hate that rule, it allowed for the Nationals to have a representative during the dark ages (2006-2011).

While All-Star snubs are a part of the game, it is a travesty to be happening to Scherzer. Despite a short stint on the IL, Scherzer still ranks (minimum 80 innings pitched) seventh in strikeouts (127), seventh in ERA (2.10), 14th in FIP (3.08), and tied for ninth in fWAR 2.7).

In fact, Scherzer was the only pitcher to post a 2.10 or better with 100+ strikeouts and not make the team.

Baring a pitcher opting out due to rest or injury, this will be the first time Scherzer misses the All-Star team since 2012. It is saddening to see, but expect this decision to add fuel to the fire for Scherzer’s next start.