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MLB: The Five Most Unsung Players in the National League

By Benno Martens

Aug 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wilson Ramos

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

After spending five years trying to establish himself as an everyday big league catcher, Wilson Ramos has solidified himself as one of the best in the game the past two seasons. But with Bryce Harper as a teammate, and being on the receiving end of the likes of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, anonymity is easy to come by.

Ramos garnered his first All-Star appearance this season, and has a slash line of .326/.373/.535 with 20 doubles, 19 home runs, 67 RBIs, an OPS+ of 137, and a bWAR of 3.0 for the best team in the National League not located in Chicago.

By the end of the season, he will have set career highs in virtually every statistical category, and is pushing established stars like Posey and Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals for the mantle of best catcher in the senior circuit.

For the position, the Nats rank first in the NL in a host of stats, including OPS and bWAR, and Wilson is the reason. He’s also the receiver for the pitching staff that ranks second in ERA, ERA+, and FIP, while posting above average metrics defensively. It’s difficult to imagine the Nationals holding such a commanding lead in the NL East against the defending World Series runners up in New York without him.

Next: Swimming Upstream

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