#ASGWorthy: Walker heads NL 2B with hot start

The 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Ballot has been released, and while the season is young, it’s never too early to start evaluating candidates. Many have already begun to stand out, while others are sure to hit their strides in the coming months leading up to the July 12 Midsummer Classic at San Diego’s Petco Park.

As fans cast their votes for who they deem worthy of 2016 All-Star status, MLB.com is looking position by position through each league, continuing today with the National League second basemen.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot #ASGWorthy players

The stalwarts There was reason to think Chase Utley was on a steep decline after he posted a .629 OPS over 107 games last season. But the 37-year-old is looking more like his old self, batting .301/.370/.438 with eight extra-base hits. Another All-Star selection would give the 14-year veteran seven in his career.

Brandon Phillips exercised his no-trade clause to stay with the Reds this offseason, and so far, it’s working out pretty well. In his 11th season with Cincinnati, Phillips is batting .308 and slugging .462 through 18 games, possibly paving the way for a fourth All-Star appearance in a Reds uniform.

The fast starters This offseason, the Mets let Daniel Murphy leave for the Nationals as a free agent and replaced him by acquiring Neil Walker in a trade with the Pirates. It’s a combination of moves that seems to be panning out for everyone.

Only Bryce Harper has more home runs than Walker, who is tied for second in the Majors with eight and already is halfway to his total from last season. Walker, looking for his first All-Star nod, has walked only twice against 18 strikeouts, but he is batting .286 and slugging .597.

Murphy, an All-Star with New York in 2014, enjoyed a breakout performance last postseason and has carried that into his first month with Washington. While he …

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