All Star games are for the fans first and foremost. Most of the time the fans make a wrong choice here and there to get a fan favorite in the game…Bryce Harper. For the mot part the fans got the teams right. Still there are times where even with the help of the coaches, players and fans the choice are wrong. Let’s dive into the five biggest mistakes.
Eddie Rosario, OF, Twins. Should replace: Michael Brantley
Eddie Rosario has struggled over the last few weeks when compared to the start of the season. Still he owns nearly every statistical advantage over Indians left fielder Michael Brantley.
Brantley, 11HR, 49RBI, .306/.351/.490
Rosario, 18HR, 53RBI, .301/.342/.536
Brantley has the luxury of playing along side stars like Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and Edwin Encarnacion. He has protection all around him as well as many more chances to knock in runs on a team that is loaded with talent. Rosario features a lineup with the minimal protection. Currently hitting in front of career utility man Eduardo Escobar has made him target for pitching around. I get that the Indians are a superior team, but rewarding their 4th best position player with a spot on the All Star team seems a bit ridiculous.
Blake Snell, P, Tampa Bay Rays. Should Replace: Joe Jimenez
Blake Snell could be he best pitcher in the entire American League…right now. Snell owns the American Leagues best ERA (2.09) as well as an impressive 12-4 record. Despite his ideal numbers Snell has fallen victim to another player on his teams success. With his catcher Wilson Ramos making the team it seemed as if it was decided that the Rays are only allowed one representative. Snell should not only consider this a snub, he should be asking why he isn’t starting the All Star game.
This injustice continues when you see a guy like Joe Jimenez on the roster. The Tigers are a sinking ship that will be looking to unload every last bit of extra cargo at the trade deadline. I have never been a proponent of every team should have an all star, but if you are going to have one, make sure they chose the right all star. Joe Jimenez has had a fine season but a reliever with a solid but not overly impressive 2.45ERA should not be in the All Star game.
Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Cardinal. Should replace: Buster Posey
Buster Posey is a future Hall of Famer. He is a former MVP, no doubt he deserves a shot at the All Star game. This year he should have fell short of that honor. It has nothing to do with Posey’s abilities as a player. This is all about the offensive output of the multi time Gold Glover Yadier Molina. Despite missing time with an injury I choose not to speak of, Yadire Molina has put on one of his best offensive seasons in his storied career.
Molina’s 13HR 38RBI and .495Slug are all on pace to be career highs for the Cardinals backstop. Molina’s responsibilities with a young pitching staff has made them one of the most effective staffs in years despite dealing with a flurry of injuries, including to mainstays like Michael Wacha, Adam Wainwright and ace Carlos Martinez. When you are dealing with two great players the debate can go on for a long time, this one I can live with.
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers. Should replace: Joey Votto
Reputation clearly matters, and before this season the Milwaukee first baseman didn’t have much of one. Aguilar is a destructive force in the middle of a first place lineup. 22 home runs and 63 RBI, and his 1.001 OPS is tops in the NL overall. Yet he is hoping on the fans to vote him in on the last ballot.
Joey Votto is a great player with a great background. He is one of the best players in the National League over the last five seasons, but the Reds have representatives at two different places on the infield, Votto should have not even been in the conversation of being an All Star. It’s debatable whether he should be in over any other first baseman in the NL Central.
Hopefully the fans make the right decision and vote him in. This selection should never have made it to this. Shame on the MLB.
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