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MLB power rankings: Top 25 current players

By Joshua Sadlock

April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) hits an RBI double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) hits an RBI double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

23. Daniel Murphy

2B, Washington Nationals

  • Career Stats: .298/.341/.450, 1,171 hits, 281 2B, 89 HR
  • Career Accolades: 2x All-Star, 2016 Silver Slugger, NL MVP runner-up, 2015 NLCS MVP

A year after emerging as a postseason hero for the New York Mets, Daniel Murphy found very little interest on the open market. He ended up signing with the Nationals as their third choice after missing out on Ben Zobrist and Brandon Phillips. After hitting .347/.390/.595 with 47 doubles, it goes without saying that the Nationals are more than happy that they missed out on their first two options at second base.

Murphy was always a phenomenal contact hitter with the Mets. Over the past two seasons, he has struck out only 95 times in over 1,000 at-bats. Murphy made a few tweaks to his swing in the second half of 2015, and his power has really opened up to all fields since. Last season, he batted .355 with runners in scoring position and drew 22 walks while striking out only 12 times. Like clockwork, he has already recorded 20 hits in his first 10 games of the 2017 season while batting well over .400.

Sure, Murphy is a liability in the field. He may have cost the Mets the 2015 World Series with his play at second base, but they would not have been there without him in the first place. Murphy’s offense more than makes up for any errors in the field. If he does not stay with the Nationals after the 2018 season, look for Murphy to slide over to the American League and continue contending for batting titles as a DH.

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