07 July 2016

Another Strong Performance By the Fans

Yet again, Major League Baseball fans acquitted themselves knowledgeably with their All-Star selections, thanks to a system that allows the most committed fans, like my own personal self, to vote 35 times, or even more if you're willing to find another computer and email address. (I was.) These dedicated voters sway the balloting towards the considered and well-reasoned and the result is that ballplayers most deserving of recognition generally receive it.



There are no criteria for All-Star selection, nor even a stated purpose. Are the selections a reward for great play or roster-building of the best team? I believe the former, and based on that, I think we can agree that it should be some combination of how well a player generally performs and how well he is performing this year. So, Andrew McCutchen is a great player who is scuffling this year and is appropriately not on the team. Bryce Harper, who might not be one of the three best NL outfielders so far this season, is appropriately starting.

Conversely, Aledmys Diaz and Trevor Story have had wonderful first halves, but without any previous exhibition of skill, we can't have confidence they will keep it up. If they do, they'll make a bid for the next Mid-Summer Classic.


AMERICAN LEAGUE
Starters
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Eric Hosmer, Royals
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Manny Machado, Orioles
SS: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
OF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF: Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox

Reserves
C: Stephen Vogt, Athletics
C: Matt Wieters, Orioles
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B: Robinson Cano, Mariners
3B: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians
SS: Eduardo Nunez, Twins
OF: Carlos Beltran, Yankees
OF: Ian Desmond, Rangers
OF: Mark Trumbo, Orioles
DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays

Pitchers
RHP: Dellin Betances, Yankees
RHP: Brad Brach, Orioles
LHP: Zach Britton, Orioles
RHP: Alex Colome, Rays
RHP: Wade Davis*, Royals
RHP: Marco Estrada, Blue Jays
LHP: Cole Hamels, Rangers
RHP: Will Harris, Astros
RHP: Kelvin Herrera, Royals
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
LHP: Andrew Miller, Yankees
RHP: Danny Salazar, Indians
LHP: Chris Sale, White Sox
RHP: Steven Wright, Red Sox

All We Can Do Is Quibble
The fans did a fine job with the AL team. My only quibble is with Eric Hosmer over Miguel Cabrera based on the criteria just described. But Hosmer is a perfectly reasonable selection. You could also have chosen Michael Saunders or Ian Desmond instead of Mookie Betts in the outfield, and Josh Donaldson over Manny Machado at third (particularly because Machado has played more short this season) but, tomato tomahto.

The manager has a much more difficult job because he has to construct a roster, and it has to include every team. I don't think much of the backup catchers, but the pickings were slim. I would have taken Vogt as the backup to represent Oakland and left Wieters off. I don't know why Ned Yost felt it necessary to have a backup DH or include Carlos Beltran, who is having a wonderful rebirth with the stick but otherwise can't play baseball. I would have preferred to see Saunders, Ian Kinsler and George Springer in the game.

I've always thought there ought to be a rule that at least two-thirds of the pitchers in the All-Star game have to be starters. After all, if you eliminate middle relievers -- who are mostly failed starters -- there are twice as many rotation spots as closers/set-up men. That said, rotational excellence is at a premium in the AL this year. I would make the case for adding Aaron Sanchez of Toronto (9-1, 2.94, 3-1 K/BB ratio) in place of one of the many relievers whose bid is based on 20 innings of work.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Starters
C: Buster Posey, Giants
1B: Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
2B: Ben Zobrist, Cubs
3B: Kris Bryant, Cubs
SS: Addison Russell, Cubs
OF: Yoenis Cespedes, Mets
OF: Dexter Fowler, Cubs
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

Reserves
C: Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
C: Wilson Ramos, Nationals
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
1B: Wil Myers, Padres
2B: Daniel Murphy, Nationals
3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3B: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
SS: Corey Seager, Dodgers
OF: Adam Duvall, Reds
OF: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
OF: Odubel Herrera, Phillies
OF: Marcell Ozuna, Marlins

Pitchers
RHP: Jake Arrieta, Cubs
LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
RHP: Johnny Cueto, Giants
RHP: Jeurys Familia, Mets
RHP: Jose Fernandez, Marlins
RHP: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
LHP: Clayton Kershaw*, Dodgers
LHP: Jon Lester, Cubs
RHP: Mark Melancon, Pirates
RHP: A.J. Ramos, Marlins
RHP: Fernando Rodney, Marlins
RHP: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
RHP: Noah Syndergaard, Mets
RHP: Julio Teheran, Braves

Curb Your Chicago Enthusiasm

The fans didn't reach quite the same heights with respect to the Chicago Cubs All-Star Team. Splitting hairs, not one of the Cubs infielders is the best choice at his position, and Addison Russell doesn't even belong on the All-Star team. My vote went to Paul Goldschmidt, the best first baseman in the game; batting average leader Daniel Murphy at second, whiz-kid Corey Seager at short; and two-way phenom Nolan Arendado at third. But again, the chosen player, with that one exception, is unquestionably All-Star worthy.

[Aside: Russell is the single worst selection, which is actually a compliment, because it's not egregious, but his addition crowds out both budding superstar Corey Seager from the starting team, and waiver wire reject Aledmys Diaz from the roster. Diaz is one great story that won't be told during the broadcast.]

The reserves are a sterling crew, absent Sterling -- Marte, of the Pirates. He would have made the team if the sensation that is Adam Duvall had a decent teammate. Duvall and his .287 OBP might very well become a footnote by season's end, but every team needs a representative and Terry Collins really didn't have many options there.

The pitching staff is something of a no-brainer. Six unhittable aces give the NL a clear edge in this contest.

So three cheers for the selection process and its results. The game isn't nearly as interesting, what with the homogenization of the leagues and daily inter-league play. But as a recognition of excellence, the people doing the choosing have generally demonstrated their own.


No comments: