WASHINGTON -- Anthony Rendon, who avoids attention as if he is allergic to it, is not one to openly campaign for himself as he appears on the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote ballot. So his Nationals teammates will be happy to do it for him during the next few days.
• Cast your Esurance Final Vote for Rendon
The numbers point to Rendon as perhaps the best third baseman in the National League so far this season. Rendon leads the position in Wins Above Replacement (3.4), according to Fangraphs, weighted runs created plus (146) and OPS (.953). His defense also checks out among the best, ranking second in ultimate zone rating and third in defensive runs saved, both behind Nolan Arenado, the NL starter at third base.
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"He's really really good," Murphy said. "Like under-the-radar superstar."
Nationals fans already voted in three position players to start the All-Star game in Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Murphy, so perhaps they have another push in them to get Rendon in the game. Rendon has some tough competition on the ballot, as he appears alongside reigning NL MVP Kristopher Bryant of the Cubs, Justin Bour of the Marlins, Mark Reynolds of the Rockies and Justin Turner of the Dodgers.
Voting ends at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, and fans can show their support for Rendon by tweeting with #VoteRendon, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, any tweet that includes #VoteRendon will count toward his vote total.
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The Nationals have changed the name of their official Twitter account to #VoteRendon and the description as "Anthony Rendon is our favorite player," a nod to the phrase that shortstop Trea Turner had put on a shirt with Rendon's face -- a sign of the budding bromance between the left side of the Nats' starting infield. That shirt design is also the cover photo on the Nationals team Twitter account. The Nationals are partnering with the Rangers in the American League to help get shortstop Elvis Andrus elected in his Final Vote.

Turner was among a few Nationals who were surprised that Rendon was left off the All-Star roster when the ballot was revealed Sunday. But Turner didn't have a good read on what winning the Final Vote -- and thus earning his first career All-Star appearance -- would mean for his favorite player.
"He definitely takes pride in what he does, but he also is very even-keeled," Turner said. "So I don't see him getting too, too excited or too, too sad one way or the other. But I think it would be awesome for him. It's a long year and a hard game and to get recognized like that would be nice."
The Nationals held a press conference for their All-Stars prior to Monday's game against the Mets, where four of their five All-Stars -- minus Stephen Strasburg, who was starting Monday night's game -- all jumped at the chance to make a case for Rendon to join them in Miami.
"He does everything," Max Scherzer said as he wore a grey "Anthony is my favorite player" T-shirt. "He does defense, offense, steals bases. It's really hard for me to swallow that he's not up here at the table right now. I think he's had that type of year."

Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile devices until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.
Now in its 16th season, with more than 680 million votes cast, the Final Vote again will include social votes on the last day of balloting, as Twitter support for the 10 candidates over the final six hours of balloting will count toward their vote totals. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET on Thursday, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners.
On Tuesday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.