Who are the Nationals All-Stars this season?

The Nationals have been much better than many anticipated this season, led by their Starting Pitching and held together just enough by their bullpen and a combination of CJ Abrams and Jesse Winker on offense. While not the ultimate goal of the team, it is fun for fans to see their team favorites get the nod to represent their team each year at the MLB All Star Game, which this season will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Each season, every MLB team is guaranteed at least one representative for the All Star Game. It may lead to some questionable All Star selections, as well as some notable All Star snubs, but generally it is good for the game to have each team represented at the festivities.

Last season, the Nationals were represented by Josiah Gray, who had a solid campaign overall but was undoubtedly the Nationals' All Star in the first half of the season.

This season, the Nationals are performing much better as a team and also have several options in terms of potential All Stars. Could this be the year we finally once again see more than the one obligated All Star selection for the Nats? It is possible, so lets take a look at the odds.

The Longshots

MacKenzie Gore, Jesse Winker

While both Gore and Winker have been instrumental in the Nationals success thus far, both have a very uphill battle in terms of being selected to the All Star Game. MacKenzie Gore currently sports a respectable 3.49 ERA with a slightly higher-than-you'd-like WHIP at 1.38, but the ability is clearly there when you think of Gore as an All Star. Winker is experiencing a bit of a renaissance in his career, as he is hitting .264 with a .793 OPS this season and was one of the better hitters in baseball in the month of June as he has hit .349 with a .935 OPS. He was an All Star back in 2021, so the pedigree is there, but his rough month of May likely keeps him out of the game.

The Dark Horses

CJ Abrams, Hunter Harvey

There was a time not too long ago where it looked like not only would CJ Abrams be an All Star, but had a legitimate shot to start the game. And then he was told to stop pulling the ball and the wheels fell off. Thankfully Abrams seems to have turned it around as of late and still has a shot to make the game, but there are many shortstops ahead of him currently in the National League voting. In fact, Abrams was not even in the top 10 of fan voting among NL shortstops, which is silly, but that is the way All Star voting goes.

The injury to Mookie Betts opens the door for one or more shortstops to making the NL All Star roster, but Abrams has to battle the likes of Trea Turner, Elly de la Cruz and Willy Adames, among others. Abrams could sneak in as a replacement or with a strong surge over the next two weeks, but the outlook is not favorable.

Hunter Harvey is also a long shot, and is probably a longer shot than Abrams, Harvey does not have elite save numbers, but he is a high quality back-end of the bullpen arm. It is difficult for non-closer relievers to be named All Stars, so Harvey remains on the outside looking in.

The Contenders

Kyle Finnegan

As previously mentioned, it is difficult for non-closer relievers to be named All Stars. Thankfully for Kyle Finnegan, he is a closer and a damn good one at that. Finnegan has established himself as one of the best closers in baseball this season and should absolutely be in consideration for an All Star roster spot regardless of whether or not he is the top choice from the Nationals among voters. While he did have a bit of a...hiccup with the pitch clock the other night in Colorado, Finnegan still sports a 2.23 ERA and has 22 saves already on the season. Think about it: the Nationals have won 38 games and Finnegan has 22 saves. He has been good, folks.

The Favorite

Jake Irvin

What a calendar year it has been for Jake Irvin.

A desperation call up last season as the Nationals rotation was in disarray (as it so often has been in recent years prior to 2024), Irvin established himself as good enough to stay in the rotation throughout the remainder of the season. With a full Major League offseason under his belt, Irvin has really elevated his game this season to the tune of a 3.13 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 92 innings. He has had some absolute masterclass performances this season, including one over the weekend in arguably the toughest place to pitch in baseball, Colorado.

And while we're on the subject, lets get this straight: Jake Irvin is not just your "we have to pick someone so lets pick this guy" All Star. He has been a bonafide All Star this season and easily one of the best pitchers in the National League. It would not be a true All Star roster without the inclusion of Jake Irvin.

Ultimately I think Irvin is the Nationals sole representative, at least initially, and Finnegan sneaks his way onto the roster with some NL pitchers skipping the game due to making their final first half starts on the Saturday or Sunday prior to the Tuesday night All Star Game.

So the answer is yes, the Nationals will have more than one All Star this season.

The final rosters are announced Sunday July 7th at 5:30pm and the All Star Game takes place Tuesday July 16th at 8:00pm.