How many Nats are likely to make the All-Star team?

The Nationals have been well represented at the All-Star Game in recent years, sending four players to the 2012 game, two apiece in 2013, 2014 and 2015, then five each of the last two years.

And with the 2018 Midsummer Classic taking place right on South Capitol Street, this is a golden opportunity for the franchise to showcase its depth of talent on a national stage.

Now, if only a few more players could start making more a more serious case for themselves over the next month. Because right now, not many are.

Major League Baseball released the first round of National League voting results Monday, and it was striking how poorly represented the Nats were on the initial ballot. Bryce Harper, as you'd expect, leads all outfielders with 498,189 votes. Trea Turner ranks fourth among shortstops with 158,252 votes. Matt Adams ranks 14th among outfielders with 106,317 votes.

But that's it. Those are the only three Nationals to even show up on the leaderboard out of the eight NL positions on the ballot.

Now, it's of course necessary to point out that three players (Matt Wieters, Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy) are all on the ballot despite having spent considerable time on the disabled list and not currently residing on the active roster.

Murphy, who may make his long-awaited season debut tonight in New York, could possibly go on a tear and make a case over the next month. But that feels like a long shot, with Wieters and Zimmerman's chances of returning soon even longer.

But where's the love for Anthony Rendon? Yes, he missed time with a foot injury. But Rendon has more at-bats than either Johan Camargo or Justin Turner, who currently rank third and fifth, respectively, in voting. And he has played nearly as much as Eugenio Suárez, who ranks fourth.

Turner, meanwhile, ranks second among NL shortstops in WAR (according to FanGraphs), trailing only Brandon Crawford (who deservedly leads the vote). Dansby Swanson and Addison Russell, however, are second and third in votes despite ranking sixth and seventh in WAR.

OK, so Nationals position players aren't having a great season to date, unless you want to make an argument for Juan Soto after only 19 big league games. Nationals pitchers, on the other hand, have enjoyed significant success so far and are making strong cases to make the All-Star team based either on the selections of fellow players or the Commissioner's Office.

Max Scherzer is going to be an All-Star. And with a 10-2 record, 2.00 ERA, 142 strikeouts and 0.845 WHIP, he's going to be on the short list to get the start for the NL. That decision will be made by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who will also consider Jacob deGrom, Jon Lester and a few others.

Gio Gonzalez deserves serious consideration after missing a chance to make the game in his hometown of Miami last summer. With a 6-2 record and 2.65 ERA, the lefty is making a good case for himself to pitch at Nationals Park.

And then there's Sean Doolittle, who has simply been one of the best relievers in baseball. The Nats closer has a 1.57 ERA, 16 saves in 17 attempts, 40 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings and an 0.593 WHIP that leads all MLB pitchers with at least 20 innings this season. Barring a significant drop-off over the next month, Doolittle sure looks like a strong candidate.

So a four-man delegation representing the Nats here in town next month - plus Davey Martinez, who will be part of Roberts' coaching staff as is custom for the manager of the hosting club - seems doable. Perhaps a fifth player will sneak in there before it's all said and done.

But don't be surprised when the Nationals' All-Star roster is heavy on pitching.