All-Star Update--Five deep at second

[stringer bell]

I have been a Brian Dozier fan since I chatted with him in Spring Training in 2012. He ttok the time to look me in the eye and take at least a passing interest in what I was saying. He signed a ball for me that year and again last year, again responding to me graciously, not as if he was dragged away from what he was doing. Dozier's performance on the field has made him both the team's most vital and best player for the last year. That is my opinion, but there are plenty of numbers to back it up.

 

I think the Twins best player should be in the All-Star game and will be disappointed if he is denied. However, the competition at his position just about guarantees that a qualified player is not going to make the team.

 

First of all, Robbie Cano (a legitimate All-Star) will be elected. He has led from beginning to end in the counting and he is having a fine year, although his Yankee Stadium-fueled power has been neutralized by playing in a far less favorable home park. Secondly, someone will be chosen by the players. It is my understanding that the player's choice is the top choice by the players who didn't win the fan vote. I have no idea who will win that vote, but the remaining four candidates to be All-Stars all figure to have a chance. Given the depth at second, the AL manager will almost certainly take a third second baseman, so in my mind there are four candidates for two positions and I think all of them are deserving.

 

Ian Kinsler is hitting .289, has a .778 OPS, he has eight homers and seven steals. His WAR is 2.9 and his Tigers have reclaimed first place in the AL Central. Jose Altuve leads the AL with a .336 average. His OPS is up to .821 and he leads the AL with 26 stolen bases. Altuve has a WAR of 2.5. Dustin Pedroia of the defending World Champion Red Sox is hitting .266 with and .722 OPS. He is a gold glove winner and sports a WAR of 2.5. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Pedroia won the players' voting and was selected for the All-Star team. Finally, Dozier lags behind all other candidates in batting average, but he has more than double anyone else's homers--15, leads the league in runs scored, and is on the leader board in walks drawn. Dozier's OPS is third among second baseman at .804 and his 3.0 WAR is tops.

 

If I'm picking All-Stars, I take Cano, Altuve, and Dozier. The players may pick either Kinsler or Pedroia and the manager may well take his own player (Pedroia). If Pedroia or Kinsler make the team, I don't think Dozier does. While I think Dozier will have a good career with the Twins, it wouldn't surprise me if this is really his only chance to perform as an All-Star.

[Paul Pleiss]

I hope you're wrong about this being Dozier's only chance to make an All-Star game. I think if he continues to do what he's been doing he will generate more name recognition and that is the most important part of ASG voting. Hard to argue against Dozier for this season, and I hope that bodes well for future seasons as well.

[strumdatjag]

The argument against Dozier is the obvious one given by the OP. There are just too many great and very good 2nd Baseman in the AL. Cano and Altuve (required Houston All-Star and he's deserving anyway) are locks to get in. Then it may be nobody else or a one in three shot between Dozier, Pedroia and Kinsler!

[stringer bell]

Dallas Keuchel and George Springer are candidates for the Astros to be All-Stars. Keuchel has won 8 games, is in the top ten in ERA and is second in WAR (FWIW). Springer has been very good for the 'Stros since starting in the minor leagues. Since he's leading the league in hitting and SB, I do believe Altuve belongs and will be named.