The Washington Nationals can hold their heads high heading into the All-Star Break despite the brutal way that they limped into the break. They were swept in embarrassing fashion at the hands of the New York Yankees, but at least the team can say that they have 3 All-Stars in a surprising season for a club that needed something positive to happen.
With that being said, who are all of the Nationals players in team history to start an All-Star Game? Let's take a look back in history.
Alfonso Soriano (OF) - 2006
In his lone season as a member of the Nationals, Alfonso Soriano put together one of the best single seasons in team history, and the best overall year of his career. Before the break, Soriano was hitting .271 and had 25 homers, 56 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. He would go on to claim the only 40-40 season in Nationals history as he finished out the year on a high note.
Bryce Harper (OF) - 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018
A 4-time starter in the All-Star Game while a member of the Nationals, Bryce Harper is no stranger to being a featured part of the break's festivities. He earned the honor of starting the game on 4 separate occasions, while also making the team 2 other times during his time on the Nationals. In fact, this year is the first season in which Harper will start the All-Star Game since joining the Phillies, which you know must eat him up inside.
Daniel Murphy (2B) - 2017
In his second year with the Nationals, Daniel Murphy earned his second consecutive All-Star selection but was named a starter for the first time in his career. He started the game after slashing .342/.387/.553 in the first half to go along with 15 homers 59 RBIs, and a .940 OPS, and went on to be a key cog for a really good Nationals team that won 97 games.
Ryan Zimmerman (1B) - 2017
The only time Mr. National earned the distinction of starting the All-Star Game, Ryan Zimmerman parlayed an incredible bounce back first half into a selection and starting role. After a tough 2016 season that would end up bring the worst year of his career from a WAR standpoint, Zimmerman set career-best marks in both homers and OPS in that season and had 19 homers and 63 RBIs going into the break.
Max Scherzer (SP) - 2017, 2018, 2021
Max Scherzer, the greatest pitcher in the history of the Washington Nationals, had the opportunity to start the All-Star Game 3 separate times during his tenure with the club. In fact, Max was selected to the game every year he was a National except for 2020, when the game was not held due to COVID-19 cancelling the majority of the season. His All-Star Game with the Nationals was just a couple weeks before he would be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the blockbuster deal for Keibert Ruiz.
CJ Abrams (SS) - 2026
After making history as the first shortstop in team history to start the All-Star Game in franchise history, CJ Abrams will be batting cleanup in tonight's game for the National League. It is his second career selection overall, and hopefully Abrams starting the game and getting that fan recognition will be able to persist as he progresses further into his prime.
Which Nationals great was your favorite All-Star starter? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
Add us as a preferred source on Google