An Early Look at Phillies 2017 All-Star Game Candidates
By John Town
Second Baseman Cesar Hernandez
If anyone is going to be voted into the starting lineup from Philadelphia, it’s going to be Cesar Hernandez. He leads all second baseman in fWAR (1.2) and leads the Phillies in several offensive categories, including hits (31), extra-base hits (10), and batting average (.323).
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Hernandez’s competition for a starting spot in the National League lineup come July is Washington’s Daniel Murphy and Atlanta’s Brandon Phillips. Phillips leads all qualified NL second baseman in batting average (.355) and on-base percentage (.388) while Murphy leads in slugging percentage (.590) and home runs (5).
What could be the difference-maker is the success of each player’s teams. Murphy and the Nationals are currently running away with the division with a five-game lead in the NL East. At 17-8, they have the best record in the league. Washington’s fans are going to be much more motivated to vote for Murphy versus Philadelphia or Atlanta’s fans.
Washington’s fans are going to be much more motivated to vote for Murphy versus Philadelphia or Atlanta’s fans.
If Hernandez can keep up his success at the plate so far this season, he certainly has the chance to make his way onto the All-Star Game roster, even if it is as a reserve.