There’s a school of thought going around that Jayson Werth is a member of the 2009 All-Star team more out of nepotism than performance. Don’t buy into it.
Jayson Werth is one of the most underrated players in baseball and deserves to be there. Some, like ESPN.com’s Rob Neyer, who I respect quite a bit, is of the mind that Werth’s presence and lack of star power detracts from the festivities. Notice, I didn’t use the term “game” because the All-Star game is much more about marketing and much less about a winner or loser.
And since the All-Star break is more about marketing than playing a game with winners and losers, then doesn’t it make sense to showcase one of the best players in baseball no one has heard of?
Among National League regulars who play right-field, Jayson Werth has the most home runs (20) of any. He’s also tied for second in runs batted in (56) and tied for first in stolen bases (12) but with a higher success rate than any of the leaders.
More advanced statistics more your style? If so [insert obligatory “according to fangraphs.com” here], when you combine offense and defense, Werth (27.7) is second only to Justin Upton (35.3) among right-fielders in terms of runs above replacement player and Upton was voted to the All-Star squad.
It’s a shame this misconception about Werth exists nationally and locally. Nationally, people shake their head. Locally of course, the common response is a smirk and something to the effect of “to the victor go the spoils”.
But that sells Werth short. He’s one of baseball’s best right-fielders, and it’s time everyone knows it.
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On a lighter note, just to show how far Jayson Werth has come in recent years, did anyone ever think this guy…
…Would become this guy?…
