The Washington Nationals won’t have a starter in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game July 9 in Cleveland — and no one even finished in the top three in the voting by the fans.
Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon appeared to have the best chance of any Nationals player to be named a starter, but he finished fifth in the primary voting at his position. Rendon entered Thursday’s game in Miami hitting .313 with 17 homers and 55 RBI.
“He wasn’t even one of the finalists,” noted the MLB Network panel on Thursday when the starting lineups were announced.
The Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado will be the National League starting third baseman.
“It means a lot to me,” Arenado said on MLB Network. “There are definitely a lot of great players at third base in the National League.”
Rendon and ace pitcher Max Scherzer have a good chance of being named to All-Star game when pitchers and reserves are announced Sunday.
QUIZ: Can you match the nickname to the Major League Baseball player?
Scherzer is 7-5 with a 2.52 ERA and has won his last five decisions. One of those came last week when he beat the Philadelphia Phillies one day after breaking his nose while trying to bunt in batting practice.
MLB announced the starters Thursday and the top vote-getters for the National League were Arenado, Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, Cubs shortstop Javier Baez, Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna, Jr.
The American League starters will be Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco, Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, Rangers DH Hunter Pence, Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Astros outfielder George Springer and Astros outfielder Michael Brantley.
Trout was the top vote-getter.
“I got out there and play 100 % all of the time,” Trout said. “It was the way I was brought up.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.