Nationals All-Star(s?) - 2023

[imref]

Rosenthal published his list today:
https://theathletic.com/4650169/2023/06/29/rosenthal-mlb-all-star-game-rosters/

He has Thomas as our lone representative, with Gray and Candelario as "notable omissions".

[welch]

Sounds right. Before the '90s, when MLB sold itself to PEDs, the voted-in outfielders would hit less like PED Barry Bonds and more like non-PED Bonds. Thomas plays more like the original Barry.

[nobleisthyname]

Candelario is the most deserving and it's not particularly close. He's been the best 3B in the National League this season other than maybe J.D. Davis.

[imref]

No Nats starters. No Mets either.  Aranado starts at third.

[Count Walewski]

Thomas and Candelario. I'm confident both can get in, though one will probably have to go as an injury replacement.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

On deserves, Arenado's back ups should be Jeimer and Davis, however there's going to be a push for Riley.

As nice as Thomas's season has been, I think there's a lot of outfielders who are hitting better or similar. Can't really argue about  Acuna / Carroll / Betts.  Soto as well, and probably Tatis.  Thomas is more in the mix with Nimmo (remember, a Met has to go), Yelich, Reynolds, and perhaps Castellanos and Happ.

My guess it's one or the other - Lane or Candy. I give Candy an edge. It's too easy to fill in with other teams that need representation when there's an indisputable case for Candy.

[GataNats]

It’s Thomas all day

[imref]

Gray has earned it too

[catocony]

A team with the 3rd or 4th worst record in baseball will only have one player at the All-Star Game.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

A team with the 3rd or 4th worst record in baseball will only have one player at the All-Star Game.

this. As a sub. That means it is not, "who is having the best season among the Nats?" It's "who is having a relatively high level among the players ar his position who also allows us to select players from other teams that must be represented?" That's Candy.

[Slateman]

On deserves, Arenado's back ups should be Jeimer and Davis, however there's going to be a push for Riley.

As nice as Thomas's season has been, I think there's a lot of outfielders who are hitting better or similar. Can't really argue about  Acuna / Carroll / Betts.  Soto as well, and probably Tatis.  Thomas is more in the mix with Nimmo (remember, a Met has to go), Yelich, Reynolds, and perhaps Castellanos and Happ.

My guess it's one or the other - Lane or Candy. I give Candy an edge. It's too easy to fill in with other teams that need representation when there's an indisputable case for Candy.

Yea. A ~.850 OPS with good defense is an amazing return for Lester, but there are 4 or 5 outfielders who are better than that in the NL

[JCA-CrystalCity]

this. As a sub. That means it is not, "who is having the best season among the Nats?" It's "who is having a relatively high level among the players ar his position who also allows us to select players from other teams that must be represented?" That's Candy.

from Bleacher Report, these are the remaining roster spots:

Each squad must fill 32 roster spots, which leaves 23 still open after MLB unveiled the starters on Thursday. In making the picks, 11 hitters and 12 pitchers were selected with the following ground rules:

    For Hitters: Excepting designated hitter, at least one backup for every position
    For Pitchers: Eight starters and four relievers
    General: Each team must have at least one representative and players who'll be on the injured list through the All-Star break (i.e., Yordan Álvarez) were not considered

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10081087-final-2023-mlb-all-star-game-roster-predictions-for-every-reserve

So, at least 3 outfielders and one more third baseman, with 3 extra position players beyond that.  As for pitchers, it's all open.  So, one or two more third basemen, and 3, probably 4 or 5, outfielders.  Soto makes it for one of the outfield spots.

Bleacher Report thinks Ryan McMahon will be the sole backup 3rd baseman and that Thomas will make the outfield, along with Friedl, Soto, Castellanos, and Soler.  Outfield has a few who are on teams with multiple reps, so I'm feeling that Thomas over Candy was easy to accommodate.

[imref]

Gray is an all star!

No Thomas or Candelario yet

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'll guess neither

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don't understand Riley ahead of Candy. I guess I am just too much of a WAR guy, defense don't matter, or maybe it's a reward for last year. Perhaps they just don't think the Nats deserve 2 or 3 guys, but the team is super top heavy

[Slateman]

I don't understand Riley ahead of Candy. I guess I am just too much of a WAR guy, or maybe it's a reward for last year. Perhaps they just don't think the Nats deserve 2 or 3 guys, but the team is super top heavy

Name and fan base

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Name and fan base

defense don't matter.

[nobleisthyname]

JD Davis got snubbed too. He arguably deserved the nod more than Candelario.

[Elvir Ovcina]

JD Davis got snubbed too. He arguably deserved the nod more than Candelario.

Not a lot of space for much else if you accept the proposition that 1/3 of the Braves roster should be on the All-Star team.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Not a lot of space for much else if you accept the proposition that 1/3 of the Braves roster should be on the All-Star team.

their entire infield plus Swanson and Freeman.