Rendon selected as a Final Vote candidate
WASHINGTON -- Anthony Rendon is a National League Final Vote candidate, so he needs the help of Nationals fans to become a member of the NL All-Star team. He is competing against Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Marlins first baseman Casey McGehee and Braves outfielder Justin Upton.
Rendon has the numbers to be on the All-Star team: The 24-year-old is among the team leaders in home runs (12), RBIs (50) and runs scored (60). He's also an above-average second baseman and third baseman.
"I think he has played really well," manager Matt Williams said. "The fact that he is in that [Final Vote] says a lot about his season and the way he has played. He has handled himself very well for being a very young player. He deserves consideration, that's for sure."
Although he's been one of the team's best players during the first half, what impresses bench coach Randy Knorr is Rendon's demeanor. No one can tell if Rendon is in a slump or on a hitting streak.
"It's unbelievable," Knorr said about Rendon. "For a young kid like that, the way he goes about his business, it's incredible. He never gets excited, he is always laughing. He never gets excited. He is smiling, he is laughing. He has a good time, he has the ability -- at a young age -- to get past at-bats."
Rendon is shy when it comes to talking about his success on the field. When asked about being on the Final Vote ballot, he said, "It's cool. It all right. I guess it's a good honor to be among that."
Fans began voting to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian immediately following the announcement of each league's 34-man roster on Sunday night. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each league until the winners will be announced after the voting concludes on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.
In addition to the web, fans can use their mobile phones to cast votes via the mobile web at MLB.com/vote or via text message. To receive the All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian mobile ballot, text the word "VOTE" to 89269. To vote for a specific player, fans can text the choice to 89269. Example: Text "N3" to vote for Rendon. Standard message and data rates may apply. Text "STOP" to end and "HELP" for information. Mobile voting in Canada also is available and fans should text their choices to 101010.
For the third consecutive year, the All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote will include social balloting participation, as Twitter support from the 10 candidates' fans over the last six hours of balloting will count toward their final vote totals. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag (#VoteRendon) will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners. Fans will be able to follow @MLB for the latest standings updates over the course of the entire four-day voting period.
Here are five reasons why Rendon should win the NL Final Vote and a spot on NL All-Star Game roster:
1. He can play more than one position. After Ryan Zimmerman went on the disabled list because of a thumb injury in April, Rendon went from second base to third and was spectacular. He is currently back at second and playing Gold Glove caliber defense.
2. Rendon is Washington's most productive hitters. He is among the league leaders in home runs, RBIs, batting average and runs scored.
3. Rendon can steal you a base when the team needs it. He has eight.
4. He is not afraid of great closers. He hit a game-tying home run against Braves close Craig Kimbrel on June 20.
5. Rendon is a humble guy. He doesn't look for publicity. He would like to go under the radar and just play baseball. He simply feels if there is more attention, there are more problems.
And the voting doesn't end with the Final Vote. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com and via Twitter in the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.TV Premium subscribers, for the first time, will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 support MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.