Still, the ASG has produced some of the greatest baseball moments of the past 25 years, with the on-field celebration of Baseball’s 100 greatest players that featured Ted Williams, Cal Ripken Jr’s homerun in his final national showcase, and John Kruk’s at bat against Randy Johnson (which remains, to this day, the only amusing thing John Kruk has ever done). And it’s inherently fun, TCM thinks, to see so many great players on the field at once.
So TCM doesn’t mind that it’s turned into All Star week here at TPA, with Mark and Bill each laying out their criteria for an All Star, and Bill actually choosing starters based on his. Mark seems to want to select a passion fruit to start, or something. TCM's not real sure he got that. Anyway, figuring we might as well go for the trifecta, The Common Man is going to try and construct entire All Star Rosters, using the rules we’ve got (35 players, at least one per team), because he has the constant need to one-up Bill.
First, the criteria. TCM believes that, above all, the All Star Game is an exhibition for the fans. So fans should get to see the guys they want to see. That said, the current voting system is, and always has been, broken. This has been apparent since 1957, when Reds fans stuffed the ballot boxes and elected seven Reds to the NL Starting Lineup. So instead of going with the fan vote totals, TCM is taking control, suspending the democractic process, and giving fans who they should want to see. The most excellent and entertaining players. These are players who will generate the most excitement both by their presence and by their play. In most cases, this will be the best player at each position. However, TCM is sentimental, and will allow some players (cough…Jeter…cough) to be grandfathered in. Ok, on to the picks:
Update: Bill points out this might be more interesting/accessible to you in a spreadsheet. If that's the case, here one is.
American League
Bill wanted Alex Avila (.304/.369/.546) for the starter. Is he nuts? Avila is clearly having the best season in the American League, but does anyone actually want to bet that he is actually this good and can keep this play up? The Common Man certainly does not. Avila earns a spot on the team as a backup. If Carlos Santana were having a better year, we’d include him here, since he’s probably the AL catcher of the future. Since he’s not, we’ll select the old standby, Joe Mauer (.235/.289/.265) and his sideburns. Yes, Mauer has only played in 9 games this year, but he’s coming off the DL today and figures to be well rested and productive until the All Star Break. And how could fans not love to look at his beautiful face. Matt Wieters (.275/.329/.412) also backs up.
First Base
We waited all winter to see how Adrian Gonzalez would do at Fenway Park, and we got our answer: Awesome. .347/.402/.596, leading the American league in batting average, hits, doubles and RBI. He’s starting. Backing him up will be Miguel Cabrera (.319/.443/.559) of the Tigers and Paul Konerko (.321/.390/.556) of the White Sox. And Adam Lind (.341/.384/.629) has been terrific, so why not?
It’s a tightly bunched group in the American League, but Robinson Cano (.290/.335/.517) is probably the most talented 2B in the AL, and had an MVP caliber season last year. He’ll start, but we’ll also take Ben Zobrist (.260/.337/.473) of the Rays and Howie Kendrick (.307/.371/.486) of the Angels as backups, which will give us some positional flexibility.
Third Base
Evan Longoria (.237/.349/.417) is the best 3B in the game, and gets the start here, despite his injurious start to 2011. Adrian Beltre (.2628/.314/.461) will represent the Rangers.
Shortstop
Yes, it’s usually about the best player, but how many All Star Games does Derek Jeter (.260/.324/.324) have left? We’ve made so much fun of the Captain over the years (not that it hasn’t been fun and deserved), we should not forget he’s been a legitimately great player. Asdrubal Cabrera (.295/.341/.507) of the Indians serves as the backup, and Alexei Ramirez (.292/.354/.431) can come along too.
It’s kind of slim pickings in the American League. We’re not limited to taking an actual LF here, but we’ll take Josh Hamilton (.284/.340/.478) anyway. He’s been hurt a lot and his stats are not up to their usual level, but he’s an incredibly entertaining player who has some electricity in his bat.
Centerfield
Curtis Granderson (.285/.361/.608) is legitimately crushing the ball, and is tied for the AL lead in homers, while leading the circuit in runs scored. No doubt.
Again, this one is easy, with Jose Bautista (.332/.486/.678) leading the AL in homers, walks, OBP, slugging, and WAR. Coupled with his performance last year, and hopefully a Home Run Derby appearance, and this could be The One Man Gang’s coming out party.
Outfielders
We need some reserves. Denard Span (.294/.361/.385) has been the best player on the Minnesota Twins, and deserves a spot, especially since there’s nobody else to select. Jacoby Ellsbury (.314/.375/.469) can play all three outfield spots and is fast. And we need a Royal, so Alex Gordon (.282/.349/.454) gets a spot.
Designated Hitter
It’s David Ortiz (.314/.390/.604) in a walk. He’s just an incredibly fun person to watch do anything.
Josh Beckett (6-2, 1.86) has had a terrific season, but Justin Verlander (8-3, 2.66) is absolutely electric, and gets the start for me. Maybe he’ll no-hit the NLers for three innings. Beckett makes the team, as does Jered Weaver (8-4, 2.06) and Dan Haren (6-4, 2.54). Alexi Ogando (7-1, 2.71) can come as a Ranger. Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 2.69) will be the lone Oakland A on the team, and Felix Hernandez (7-5, 3.30) and Michael Pineda (6-4, 2.72) will represent the Mariners. Zach Britton (6-4, 3.18) is our Oriole rep. We’ll take Mariano Rivera (1-1, 1.71, 16 saves), of course, but we’ll also take Aaron Crow (2-0, 1.42) of the Royals. We’ll also take Ricky Romero (6-6, 3.01) and CJ Wilson (7-3, 3.03).
National League
Brian McCann (.295/.367/.476) of Atlanta has been the best overall catcher in the National League for years now, and it’s time he’s recognized as such. Miguel Montero (.284/.366/.488) is also excellent, though he doesn’t have the same track record. Personally, it would be gratifying to see Wilson Ramos (.248/.319/.406) make the team as well, so that we can make fun of Twins GM Bill Smith more for the Matt Capps trade.
First Base
Yes, Joey Votto (.331/.457/.518) and Gaby Sanchez (.308/.385/.506) and Prince Fielder (.297/.417/.606) have all been better in 2011. But do any of you really think they are better players than Albert Pujols (.275/.353/.491), who has been locked in since the end of May? You better not. We’ll put Votto at DH, and Sanchez and Fielder on the bench.
Chase Utley (.275/.383/.500) looks like he’s finally back from the hip injury that sidelined him for most of the first part of 2011. He’s been criminally underappreciated in his career, so we’ll reward him here. Rickie Weeks (.290/.360/.505), who you really couldn’t go wrong with starting either, will be a terrific backup.
Third Base
As much as TCM loves Chipper Jones (.266/.361/.446), who deserves to go as a reserve, he’s going to take Ryan Zimmerman (.302/.404/.442) as the starter, given that he’s clearly the best 3B in the National League. Pablo Sandoval (.305/.365/.495) comes along too.
The Mets’ Jose Reyes (.348/.390/.531) and his 12 triples get the nod. He’s the most exciting player in the National league, leading the circuit in batting average, hits, and triples. Troy Tulowitzki (.274/.344/.502) has cooled off from his incredible start, but we’ll still let him play. And Jimmy Rollins (.257/.330/.377) can hang with us too as an elder statesman/fan favorite.
Leftfield
Ryan Braun (.312/.398/.565) is putting together a Hall of Fame-type resume up in Milwaukee, where he’ll stay for the next 47 years or so. He’s more than deserving of the All Star start.
Andrew McCutchen (.294/.397/.492) gets the nod here because he’s a terrific defender. McCutchen is probably the most exciting young player in baseball, and TCM has a huge man-crush.
Rightfield
Matt Kemp (.335/.420/.638) is having the better season than McCutchen, leading the National League in homers, slugging, OPS, and WAR, but he’s a lesser defender, so we’ll shuffle him to the corner.
Outfielders
As backups, we’ll take Jay Bruce (..282/.357/.529), Lance Berkman (.310/.424/.610) and we’ll make Kosuke Fukudome (.301/.409/.419) our lone Cub and Cameron Maybin (.259/.322/.413) our lone Padre.
DH
As stated above, we’ll let Votto have it.
Roy Halladay (9-3, 2.56) leads the NL in innings, strikeouts, complete games, and wins. He’s clearly the guy to start. We’ll also take his teammates Cole Hamels (9-2, 2.49), Cliff Lee (7-5, 3.12), and Ryan Madson (3-1, 2.10, 15 saves). Ian Kennedy (7-2, 2.98) makes the cut from the Diamondbacks, as does Jhoulys Chacin (8-4, 2.81)of the Rockies. Timmy Lincecum (5-5, 3.41) is still an elite pitcher, and don’t think for a second that we’re leaving off Shaun Marcum (7-2, 2.68), Tommy Hanson (8-4, 2.48), or Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 3.28). We’ve got to take The Undefeated Dillon Gee (7-0, 2.86). We’ll take Wandy Rodriguez (4-3, 3.12) as our Astro. And finally, in a controversial move, we’ll take Zack Greinke (6-2, 5.23) because he has a 70-9 K/BB ratio in 53 innings. Wow.
OK, so that's TCM's picks. 35 guys per team, each club with at least one. The Phillies lead the way with 6, but all of them seem pretty deserved. The Yankees and Red Sox each have four. The defending AL Champ Rangers have four as well, while the World Champion Giants have two. TCM is sure he missed someone, and that you'll let him have it in the comments. Please, blast away.
10 comments:
You took Joe Mauer, who's played 9 games. Ryan Zimmerman, who's played 11. Chase Utley, who's played 21. I appreciate that you're going for some people who have been traditional stars, but I just can't bring myself to elect those people as starters when Avila, Jones, and Weeks could start. Sorry, TCM, but you botched this one.
Good list but...but...but...Yadier Molina is actually hitting this year.
Only one NL reliever? Not even Jonny Venters?
@David
It's a philosophical thing, David. TCM believes in having the best players there. And Mauer, Zimmerman, and Utley are the best players in their leagues at their positions. Except maybe Utley, who you could make a good case for backing up Weeks.
@Flagrant Fan
Indeed, he is. But not quite as well as Montero or McCann. And not every baseball team has to have a Molina catching for it.
@Anon
Venters! Dammit. TCM knew he forgot someone. In that case, kick off Clayton Kershaw.
Clearly games or innings logged isn't big on your criteria board, so I guess, why not Ryan Vogelsong?
Jimmy Rollins out, Stephen Drew in. Pretty much all I got (while stifling a cringe for Jeter).
You can add pablo sandoval (27 games) to the list of barely played. If he wasn't hurt your logic would dictate David Wright should be in there as well compares his slash (.226/.337/.407) to Longo's (.237/.349/.417). The difference is a few singles and defense. Wright is still one of the most talented (read: exciting) players at third just without the universal acclaim.
I'm not saying Wright neccesarily deserves it my book but the guideline you laid out make it seem like you might.
What about Jair Jurrjens?
Brandon Phillips would like to talk to TCM about that gimpy Chase Utley dude...
Not that I agree, but I get your reasoning for having Longoria start. But how can you take Beltre over Youkilis and/or A-Rod as the back-up?
And I guess you might not want two Yankees outfielders, but Brett Gardner is deserving of at least a back-up spot, I'd say. He's fourth in the AL in fWAR, and that's even including his terrible start and trouble on the bases. He's been absolutely raking of late. But for me, the main reason I want to see him in the ASG is his defense. Gardner is leading all AL outfielders in UZR/150 by a wide margin. He is, quite simply, awesome out there.
Overall, though, I appreciate the list. I like that you take into account both historical performance and current stats. It's not exactly the way I would pick it, but it's good to see something a little different.
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