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Atlanta Braves: Is Dansby Swanson an All-Star?

By Matthew Browning

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 11: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves scores on a single by teammate Josh Donaldson #20 during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 11, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 11: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves scores on a single by teammate Josh Donaldson #20 during the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 11, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 04: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates in the dugout following his game winning home run during the eighth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on May 04, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 04: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates in the dugout following his game winning home run during the eighth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on May 04, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

The Competition

Unfortunately for Swanson, the list of shortstop candidates in the National League is longer than perhaps any other positional player.

Typically two to three players are selected from each position, so that makes the shortstop race in the Senior Circuit highly competitive.

The following are the candidates (in no particular order) most worthy for selection. Please feel free to mention in the comments anybody I may have forgotten.

Jean Segura, Phillies

The power numbers aren’t quite there for Segura, as he has hit just five home runs and driven in 24 runs.

But his average is .292 and he plays a solid shortstop in the field, which has made him nearly a one-win player through the first two plus months of the season.

Javier Baez, Cubs

With 15 homers and 40 runs driven in, Baez will likely be the starter for the NL squad come early July.

He also carries a slash line of .307/.349/.577 and is already worth nearly three wins, according to Baseball Reference.

Paul DeJong, Cardinals

As one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, it was impossible to not include DeJong, who has also been solid at the plate.

He has nine home runs and 28 RBI, while possessing a slash line of .275/.372/.482 and a WAR of 2.6.

Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks

This is kind of a reach, but much like DeJong, Ahmed is a prolific defensive player (already with a Gold Glove and worth well over one win based on defense alone) and his offense is getting better.

Even though there are not much power numbers to speak of (four homers), Ahmed does have a slash line of .264/.321/.405… close to that of Swanson’s, save for his .498 SLG.

Corey Seager, Dodgers

The once upon a time phenom, has put together a solid season for the Dodgers, after missing most of last year because of an arm injury.

He has eight home runs and 34 RBIs, while batting .253, with a 1.8 WAR.

Trevor Story, Rockies

If Baez is not the starter, then Story will likely be, as he too has exploded offensively through the season’s first two months.

He has hit 15 homers and driven in 43, but also has been pretty good in the field, as he is already worth one win on defense alone.

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