The lineups for National League and the American League All-Star teams have been announced and as always there are going to be players left out, who undoubtedly deserve the honor. But this articles isn’t about the snubs because we shouldn’t be surprised about this happening anymore in a system where it’s all up to the fans and they of course will vote in players from their favorite team. There is no fix at the moment for that and our attention should be on the the final vote. Let’s take a look at what our options are for each league.
Vying for the final spot on the National League team are San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt (.300 AVG, 10 HR, 46 RBI’s, .917 OPS), Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (.322 AVG, 13 HR, 44 RBI’s, .912 OPS), Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb (.293 AVG, 20 HR, 61 RBI’s, .996 OPS), Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (.318 AVG, 6 HR, 31 RBI’s, .829 OPS, 25 SB’s), and Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story (.257 AVG, 19 HR, 51 RBI’s, .854 OPS). Looking through this list, my goal is to find the most complete player and that right away eliminates Trevor Story because the average is too low and he has the second lowest OPS on the list. I cannot pick Ryan Braun on my honor as a Phillies fan and the only thing he really has going for him against the other the people on the list is a high average. Starling Marte makes up for the lack of pop with 25 stolen bases and his average is .318, but he still doesn’t have my vote. Brandon Belt having a productive season is something you can pretty much count each year and since he’s going to win a World Series (even year), I am not giving him my vote. This leaves Jake Lamb, who leads the National League in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and triples and is one of the few things that has gone right for the Diamondbacks this season. Jake Lamb hands down gets my vote for the final spot on the National League team and the perfect parody of the Jake from State Farm commercial had nothing to do with it.
Fighting to the death for the final spot on the American League team are Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (.293 AVG, 16 HR, 52 RBI’s, .848 OPS), Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (.283 AVG, 18 HR, 45 RBI’s, .853 OPS), Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (.305 AVG, 8 HR, 35 RBI’s, .809 OPS), Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (.296 AVG, 16 HR, 40 RBI’s, .926 OPS), and Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (.265 AVG, 19 HR, 51 RBI’s, .840 OPS). As much as I love second basemen and Ian Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia, it’s not about them and I’m going to put my bias aside so they’re both out. Michael Saunders has nice numbers, but the RBI total is too low me and there are already enough Blue Jays. Evan Longoria is finally looking like his old self, however, that isn’t enough for him to get my vote for the final spot. All that’s left is George Springer who is finally going to play a full season, knock on wood, and he has been tearing it up all year. Springer has made plays all over right field and has been one of the clutchest players in all of baseball this season. It would be not right if George Springer didn’t make it this year so I’m giving him my vote and plus Jose Altuve shouldn’t be all alone out there in San Diego.
There you have it, Jake Lamb and George Springer are my picks for the finals spots for the All-Star game. Feel free to let you know who have for the final vote and it should be a fun week in San Diego.
