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FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal wrote on Twitter (@Ken_Rosenthal) this morning that he'd spoken to "someone" with the Nationals who told him, "Ian Desmond had better be on [the] All-Star team." Mr. Rosenthal wrote that he agreed, adding, "Can't argue. [Rafael] Furcal, [Jed] Lowrie, [Starlin] Castro in mix." The Nats' 26-year-old shortstop is tied with the Astros' Lowrie at +2.6 fWAR as the most valuable shorstop in the NL after 76 games (76 for Desmond, 70 for Lowrie). In 334 plate appearances this season, Desmond has a .276/.305/.483 line with an NL-leading 23 doubles, the second-most HR's (13 to Lowrie's 14) and the second-highest wRC+ (112 to Lowrie's 129). So did that earn Desmond an All-Star selection? NL Manager Tony LaRussa is known to be a fan of Desmond's... But did he make it?
Of course he did. Ian Desmond was named to the National League's roster as a reserve. It will be Desmond's first All-Star appearance. And he won't be traveling to Kansas City alone...
• Also representing the Nationals in the 2012 All-Star Game will be...
Gio Gonzalez will be making his second All-Star appearance after having made his first All-Star appearance last year with Oakland. Joining Gio in Kansas City will be rotation-mate Stephen Strasburg, who makes his first All-Star appearance. The Nationals have said that they'll let the 23-year-old right-hander pitch if things line up right. In 15 starts with the Nats, Gonzalez is (10-3) with a 2.78 ERA, 2.30 FIP, 35 walks (3.47 BB/9) and 108 K's (10.72 K/9). Strasburg is (9-3) with a 2.81 ERA, 2.28 FIP, 27 walks (2.61 BB/9) and 122 K's (11.81 K/9) in 16 starts and 93.0 IP.
And though it hasn't officially been announced, both NL skipper Tony LaRussa and MLB spilled the beans on the names who'll be eligible for the Final Vote that picks the last player added to each league's roster. And 19-year-old Nats' outfielder Bryce Harper is on the list... Along with Chipper Jones? Check out the rest of the candidates and starting voting for Harper now... if you think he deserves it over Chipper? In Chipper's final season? Harper? Chipper? Who's it going to be?