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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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Martin Prado

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Marlins are currently trailing the Nationals by 9.5 games in the NL East, but find themselves just just 2.5 games out of the second wild card spot. A big reason they’re in this position has been the play of the 32-year old Martin Prado.

While the now-injured Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez, and Dee Gordon tend to garner most of the headlines for Miami, Prado has been steady all season, posting a .327/.380/.446 slash line with 27 doubles, seven home runs, 57 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 125. The two-time former All-Star with the Atlanta Braves has been worth 3.3 bWAR, which trails only Fernandez and Christian Yelich for the team lead.

Prado is riding a seven-game hitting streak currently, and has hit safely in 26 of the 33 games he has played in since the All-Star break. His batting average entering play on Friday is good for third in the National League, and his 149 hits are just two off the pace Arizona’s Jean Segura is setting for the league lead.

Miami is coming off three consecutive losses to the Cincinnati Reds, and has a brutal schedule the rest of the way that includes series with contenders such as the Pirates, Indians, Dodgers, Mets, and Nats, so the margin for error is slim if the club hopes to make the postseason for the first time since 2003.

Next: Power Under the Arch

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