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MLB • 10 months ago

5 Washington Nationals Who Deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Game Consideration

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Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

5 Washington Nationals Who Deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Game Consideration

Bryce Harper Nationals — The Washington Nationals entered the 2015 season in World Series-or-bust mode, but through the first 64 games, things haven't gone as expected. The team is just 33-31 and sit a game-and-a-half back of the NL East division leading New York Mets. Although the team hasn't performed up to expectations, there have been some great individual showings. Here are five Nationals who deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Game consideration.

The Washington Nationals entered the 2015 season in World Series-or-bust mode, but through the first 64 games, things haven't gone as expected. The team is just 33-31 and sit a game-and-a-half back of the NL East division leading New York Mets. Although the team hasn't performed up to expectations, there have been some great individual showings. Here are five Nationals who deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Game consideration.

5. CF Denard Span

5. CF Denard Span

Despite only playing in 44 of the Nationals' 64 games so far this season, Denard Span has been one of the few bright spots for the team. As usual, Span has played Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, and at the plate, he is hitting .299 with a .345 OBP, five home runs and 19 RBIs. He has also scored 27 runs and leads the team with six stolen bases. With his contract expiring, Span is making himself a lot of money.

4. 3B Yunel Escobar

4. 3B Yunel Escobar

When the Nationals announced that the team had traded Tyler Clippard to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Yunel Escobar, I'll admit I thought it was a terrible deal. While the Nationals are missing Clippard tremendously, Escobar's performance has made the trade seem even. He's batting .323 with a .380 OBP, three home runs and 18 RBIs, not to mention that he has played third base most of the year after never playing the position before.

3. RHP Drew Storen

3. RHP Drew Storen

Although there has been talk of the Nationals being interested in Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, it's certainly not due to Drew Storen's performance. Storen has been the only reliable pitcher to come out of the bullpen all season long. He has converted 19 of his 20 save opportunities while carrying a 1.11 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. Storen also has a 32-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 24.1 innings of work.

2. RHP Max Scherzer

2. RHP Max Scherzer

When Max Scherzer signed a seven-year, $ 210 million contract in the offseason, the Nationals took a lot of criticism for paying that much money to a 30-year-old starting pitcher, especially since the team's strength was the starting rotation. As it turns out, the Nationals would probably be out of contention if not for Scherzer's performance. Although he's only 6-5, thanks to a putrid offense, Scherzer has a 1.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 113 Ks.

1. RF Bryce Harper

1. RF Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper has been the best player in MLB since the beginning of May. With basically no protection around him, Harper is hitting .337 with a .473 OBP, 21 home runs and 51 RBIs. He has also played Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field, which is impressive considering he had never been a right fielder before on a regular basis. Harper should win the NL MVP award if the Nationals make the playoffs.

Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

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Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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