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MLB All-Star Game: National League lineup predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) heads out on his two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) heads out on his two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Shortstop

Starter: Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies.

With All-Star staple Troy Tulowitzki in the AL and Jhonny Peralta hurt, the race to be the starting NL shortstop is wide open. The role will end up going to a player few could have seen coming before the season.

There are plenty of flaws in Story’s game and he’s not going to keep up his early season power pace forever. However, Story plays in a great park for his skill set, and fans will remember the way he captivated the entire nation in the early part of the season.

Colorado was excited for Story’s debut, as he was widely regarded as a solid prospect, but nobody would have expected an MLB-record seven home runs in his first eight games. Story is up to eight dingers now, and a 30-home run rookie season looks entirely possible. Scouting reports also graded Story as an above-average defensive shortstop, which will help his overall value numbers.

A strikeout rate of 37.3 percent per FanGraphs so far is clearly a concern, and Story will obviously regress some. However, a 162 wRC+ and 0.5 WAR so far already gives Story a leg up in the competition, and he will get plenty of voting support as a fan favorite.

Even is Story really starts to struggle, there aren’t too many challengers among NL shortstops. Brandon Crawford and Addison Russell are very good players, but not exactly who fans might think of as they cast their All-Star ballots.

Reserves: Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants.

Many not realize Crawford is coming off of a 4.7 WAR season per FanGraphs, including an All-Star appearance. While Crawford probably won’t hit 21 home runs again, outstanding defense and average offense would be enough to get him back to the Midsummer Classic.

Next: Third Base

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