Article: Which Twins Deserve All-Star Consideration?

[Nick Nelson]

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball released its first update on position-by-position All-Star Game balloting. No Twins appeared in the Top 5 at any position, which isn't all that surprising considering that no position players on the team have been otherworldly -- a testament to the offense's well-rounded attack.

 

But with two months nearly in the books, let's take a look at which players have the best case for spots on the All-Star roster.1. Glen Perkins, RP

2015 Stats: 21.2 IP, 1.25 ERA, 17/17 SV, 21/2 K/BB, 0.97 WHIP

Fans don't vote on pitchers for the All-Star game, but if they did you'd have to imagine Perkins would find his name at the top for relievers. He has converted all 17 of his save chances, including a four-out finish on Tuesday night, and leads all MLB relievers in Win Probability Added.

 

2. Brian Dozier, 2B

2015 Stats: .251/.330/.503, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 36 R

Dozier led the league in runs scored for much of the 2014 season and he's right back at the top of the leaderboard now. Batting anywhere from first to fourth in the lineup, Dozier has a combination of speed, power and discipline that makes him an asset. He leads all AL second basemen in homers and ranks fourth in OPS.

 

3. Trevor Plouffe, 3B

2015 Stats: .276/.356/.481, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 21 R

Few would have guessed it a few years ago, but Plouffe has become one of the most reliable performers in the Twins' lineup. The most notable aspect of his progress has been his improved patience -- his walk rate is up to a career-high 12 percent, and while that's not the kind of thing that draws All-Star buzz, it has definitely added another dimension to his offensive game.

 

4. Kyle Gibson, SP

2015 Stats: 56.1 IP, 2.72 ERA, 4-3, 27/17 K/BB, 1.21 WHIP

I was convinced coming into this 2015 that Gibson was in for a breakout year, and he sure seems headed that way. The right-hander has consistently pitched deep into ballgames and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start since his first outing. His success seemed a bit fluky early on, when he was oddly walking more batters than he struck out, but his 1.32 ERA in May has come attached to a much-improved 21-to-5 K/BB ratio.

 

5. Blaine Boyer, RP

2015 Stats: 23.2 IP, 2.28 ERA, 10/6 K/BB, 1.23 WHIP

Earning a spot on the All-Star roster is more about what you've done than what you're likely to do going forward, so Boyer deserves to be recognized. There's no way he'll maintain his outstanding numbers if he continues to strike out so few batters, but Boyer has rebounded from a brutal start and been a critical piece in the bullpen, with just one run and 12 hits allowed over his last 20 innings. He's tied for the AL lead in relief appearances with 23. His contributions have been invaluable with both Casey Fien and Tim Stauffer rendered ineffective or unavailable most the season.

 

What do you think? What does your Twins All-Star ballot look like as we approach the end of May?

 

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[Cap'n Piranha]

Glen Perkins with a bullet. Dozier and MAYBE Plouffe if there's an injury at their position, or they really get hot over the next month.

[Monkeypaws]

I was surprised that Dozier wasn't even top 5 for AL 2nd basemen. Then looking more closely at the seasons the others were having, only Infante seemed out of place on that list, but seeing as the Royals are dominating the ballot box as well as the diamond, it makes sense I guess.

 

Still, Dozier would be my position player front runner. Plouffe is good, but there are lots of good 3rd basemen out there. 

 

Perk looks a shoo-in if he maintains his current form. It would take some superlative performances over the next month for any of the starters to be considered.

[John Kelsey]

Perk and Plouffe

[gunnarthor]

Plouffe seems most deserving. Hunter is also among the top RF in the AL right now, too.

 

I think Perkins makes it since the manager will want some shut down closers for the late innings.  

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Gibson is heating up at the right time, and Glen Perkins has done everything that a closer is supposed to do to make the All-Star team.

 

None of the Twins position players have really outpaced the rest of the league, though there have been more bright spots than disappointments. I think Dozier might get a chance since he probably should have been on the team last year and is once again putting up similar numbers.

 

The bar is pretty high for 2B, though. I wouldn't feel like the Twins got snubbed if Perk was the only representative. If anything, it might be a motivational tool for some of the guys, that whole "No one respects us" narrative can work wonders (see also: Royals, K.C.). 

[Seth Stohs]

Perkins is the one given, though I don't necessarily think he'd be leading fan voting if fans voted for pitchers. Fan voting results are weird sometimes.

 

I think Dozier should be an All Star, but there are many more quality second baseman than third baseman, so Plouffe may be just as (or more?) likely to make it than Dozier.

 

Gibson (and to this point Pelfrey) seem like the types that will get passed by for an All Star nod by bigger names. Fair or not.

 

 

[Blake]

Perkins definitely. I think Dozier has earned an All Star nod. Plouffe is getting there. Plouffe is a complete player at 3B who looks to only get better. Which is kind of scary, considering how good Plouffe has become.

[Thegrin]

Perkins ! Only Perkins unless Dozier were to bat above 300 with 5 or more HR thru June. 

[John Kelsey]

Plouffe is 8th among all AL position players in WAR and third among 3B. He deserves more love. 

[IowaTwin346]

The problem with fan voting is people look at BA and home runs.  That is what they list on the ballot along with RBI. People look vote for the players they know, cheer for or at quick glance down the comparison have higher avg/HR

 

I think Perk is the slam dunk especially being there a couple times already.  I also, like others think that Plouffe and Dozier are deserving. 

 

I think if the Twins continue to play like they have they will have at least one guy going along with Perk, hopefully two.

[MileHighTwinsFan]

If the team is at the top of the standings at the All Star break, they will need to give the team at least 2 slots.   

 

Perkins is a given at this point,  Dozier and Plouffe would be the candidates for the second slot.

 

Because the game actually means something, the pitching staff is going to be reliever heavy and filled with closers.  That means Gibson is probably a long shot to make the team.   

[DuluthFan]

The Twins need to play more games against teams outside the Central Division to get more exposure with the big market teams. Playing the Red Sox will help get their names in front of a more national audience.

 

Dozier and Perkins seem to be the obvious choices.

However my underdog, dark horse, just to spite the critics, laughing my butt off, I just won the lottery, screw your analytics, sleeper pick is........

 

Mike Pelfrey.

 

Assuming he continues to pitch well, of course.

[stringer bell]

Perkins is the one with the inside track. Dozier is having a similar season to last year at this point, but there are a half dozen elite 2B in the AL. Plouffe is also having a fine year and the position isn't as deep. I would put Hunter in contention because so few OFs are having outstanding years.

 

Other than Perkins, I don't think any pitcher has all-around good enough numbers (wins, strikeouts, ERA) to be considered.

[Willihammer]

Dozier and Plouffe are grouped in against some very good players. I will vote for Dozier as a homer tie-break but Plouffe doesn't quite make the cut (at this point) IMO.

[jimbo92107]

Perk, Dozier and Plouffe, obviously. Gibson deserves consideration, but he won't get in because he needs to post a full season like he's having now. Pelfrey also deserves consideration but won't get in, for the same reason as Gibson.

 

What's cool about this year's Twins is how many players are performing at star level, but not quite All Star level. Those capital letters take just a bit more to get.

 

Can a team with no position All Stars still make it to the playoffs?

[dxpavelka]

Perkins should be a slam dunk.  Every other guy mentioned in the article and thread-close but no cigar.  All nice ball players but nary an all-star in the bunch.  And that's OK.  I'm more concerned about what they do in the real games over the next 4 months and next 4 years for that matter.  Would love to see a couple guys go out and play at a level that leaves no doubt.  Perk is the only guy who fits that mold thus far.

[bluechipper]

Definitely Perk deserves it, and maybe Dozier and Plouffe too. The problem is that 2B and 3B are probably the most loaded positions.

 

Also, does everyone agree that fan voting is a terrible way to determine the starters. The fact that Omar Infante is second among 2B despite terrible numbers and Mike Moustakas is almost 400,000 ahead of Josh Donaldson is ridiculous. Hopefully that gets corrected.

 

And wow, shortstop is really weak in the AL. I didn't realize it was quite that bad.

[strumdatjaguar]

At risk of starting an armed insurrection: How about Torii Hunter (as a reserve), and, especially after last night's performance, Mike Pelfrey  (let the insurrection begin)

[h2oface]

Perkins. That is all I can see if it is to be an All-Star team, and not fan favorites.

Fan voting is horrible. 25 votes? Do people really have time to do that? I quit voting years ago. Picking all-star teams from just a hot start is always ridiculous to me. It should be the second half of the previous season and the first half of this, and also career performance. To have an all-star team composed of the players that were hot for the first two months (maybe the third is in there too, but usually if you don't start hot and stay hot, that is it for you) is not really an all-star team. Also, there should no obligatory picks. This "every team has to have one representative", even if they are not deserving comparatively to the others on the team, is not what an all-star team is all about.

 

Pitchers have the best selection process......  fans should never pick the all star team. 

[glunn]

I think that if a manager wants a save it's hard to argue that Perk is not the best in baseball today -- he is leading the AL in saves and has not blown any.  I also think that Gibson, Dozier and Plouffe are deserving but there are others who are better at their positions.

 

I like how this team is winning without any dominant stars.  With that in mind, my sentimental favorite would be Hunter, as suggested above by strumdatjaguer.  My sense is that Hunter has had one of the best age 39-40 seasons in baseball history and I would love to see him recognized for a career of high achievement and a season of helping turn around his original team.  I would love it if the Twins players unanimously asked the AL manager to pick Torii.

 

 

[goulik]

Loving this team and many players on it I have to be honest about who is best at each position in the league and say we don't have a single #1 or #2 best at any position. Dozier is great and Plouffe has become an excellent 3rd baseman but they are not THE guys yet.

Pitching again who is elite? Maybe Perkins but that's it. My only Twin All Star worthy of the title is Perkins.

[eLee612]

Pitchers have the best selection process......  fans should never pick the all star team.

 

To extrapolate on that sentiment...

 

I would consider myself a "casual" basketball fan. College hoops, moreso, but NBA? IDGAF. None the less, I am asked annually to partake in bracket-making shenanigans and lo and behold, who won the nearly $400 pool? Yours truly, with this elite strategy shared exclusively with Twins Daily readers (you will be charged the minimal cost of 55,000,000 Pesos):

 

1) Pick teams from "cities you like" - I lived in Boston, I like Boston. I don't like corn, therefore, I don't like any city in Iowa. Etc.

2) Pick teams whose school colors involve your favorite colors - I like orange (Syracuse), yellow and blue looks good together (unless those colors are in Michigan). I like maroon (Gophers, Texas A&M) but not red (goodbye Nebraska).

3) Mascots.

4) Last but not least, is he hot? I hear objections from the crowd, followed by 97% of the male population saying "No, I swear! I watch sand volleyball all year!!"

 

If people followed that strategy for the all star ballot, they would end up with players from:

1) The Padres... I can't think of anyone who doesn't like San Diego

2) The Mariners, Rays, and Marlins, because they have pretty colors in their logos.

3) Minnesota. Because TC Bear.

4) Tori Hunter, Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Lawrie, Pedro Florimon, Ben Revere, and Robinson Cano. They don't even really need to play... (Source: my head and http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/g4237/hottest-mlb-players/?slide=36)

 

In conclusion, no. Fans should not vote. The request for all your pesos has been sent directly to your inbox.

 

 

[Craig Arko]

 

To extrapolate on that sentiment... I would consider myself a "casual" basketball fan. College hoops, moreso, but NBA? IDGAF. None the less, I am asked annually to partake in bracket-making shenanigans and lo and behold, who won the nearly $400 pool? Yours truly, with this elite strategy shared exclusively with Twins Daily readers (you will be charged the minimal cost of 55,000,000 Pesos): 1) Pick teams from "cities you like" - I lived in Boston, I like Boston. I don't like corn, therefore, I don't like any city in Iowa. Etc. 2) Pick teams whose school colors involve your favorite colors - I like orange (Syracuse), yellow and blue looks good together (unless those colors are in Michigan). I like maroon (Gophers, Texas A&M) but not red (goodbye Nebraska). 3) Mascots. 4) Last but not least, is he hot? I hear objections from the crowd, followed by 97% of the male population saying "No, I swear! I watch sand volleyball all year!!" If people followed that strategy for the all star ballot, they would end up with players from: 1) The Padres... I can't think of anyone who doesn't like San Diego 2) The Mariners, Rays, and Marlins, because they have pretty colors in their logos. 3) Minnesota. Because TC Bear. 4) Tori Hunter, Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Lawrie, Pedro Florimon, Ben Revere, and Robinson Cano. They don't even really need to play... (Source: my head and http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/g4237/hottest-mlb-players/?slide=36) In conclusion, no. Fans should not vote. The request for all your pesos has been sent directly to your inbox.

 

So, effectively what you're saying is "All your pesos are belong to us."

[Brock Beauchamp]

Perkins is a gimme choice. I'd also probably nominate Dozier because he's been good for quite some time and deserves his first nod. Plouffe would make it many years but this year, it seems like a crowded field at third (something not often said in the history of baseball).

[eLee612]

 

So, effectively what you're saying is "All your pesos are belong to us."

 

No, they belong to me.

[dxpavelka]

I will vehemently disagree with the statement that the fans should not pick the all-stars.  Fans should ALWAYS pick the all-stars.  After all, the game is for the fans.  The current system is perfect.  Fans select the starters.  Players select most of the pitchers and 1 reserve at each position.  Managers select the rest except the final selection.  Are  there going to be issues with fan balloting?  Of course.  Think there wouldn't be similar issue if the players or managers had more say in the matter?  If so you're delusional. 

[Willihammer]

 

I will vehemently disagree with the statement that the fans should not pick the all-stars.  Fans should ALWAYS pick the all-stars.  After all, the game is for the fans.  The current system is perfect.  Fans select the starters.  Players select most of the pitchers and 1 reserve at each position.  Managers select the rest except the final selection.  Are  there going to be issues with fan balloting?  Of course.  Think there wouldn't be similar issue if the players or managers had more say in the matter?  If so you're delusional. 

Agree. I think fans get it right most of the time and would love to be able to vote for pitchers too.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Agree. I think fans get it right most of the time and would love to be able to vote for pitchers too.

Why aren't fans allowed to vote for pitchers?  Seems strange, especially now that they employ all sorts of mechanisms for selecting alternates anyway (so no problem if fans elect the SP who pitched two days earlier).

 

You don't have to have each fan fill a 10 or 12-man staff this way, but I see no harm in letting fans vote for one SP and one RP from each league, just like they do for the starting 9.  Then take the top 3 vote-getters from each category and fill in the rest like they do with alternates and bench players.

[Thrylos]

Deserve?

 

Here are the ranking of the Twins' regulars among their AL peers in their positions by fWAR (I am not including OFs, SP and RP ranked higher than 30th)

 

C: Suzuki (11th)
1B: Mauer (16th)
2B: Dozier (4th)
SS: Santana (14th)
3B: Plouffe (5th)
OF: Hunter (15th), Robinson (24th)
DH: Vargas (17th)
Starters: May (16th), Nolasco (27th)
Relievers: Perkins (3rd), Thompson (21st), Boyer (24th)

 

Only one deserves it