Article: Multiple Twins Building All-Star Resumes

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota is on top of the baseball world. The club has the best record in baseball, expectations are high, and the team should be well represented at the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland. It's a golden opportunity to crash their AL Central's rivals' party.Voting Changes

Major League Baseball altered their voting process for the 2019 All-Star Game. Two phases of voting will be held, “The Primary” and “The Starters Election.” Fans remain in charge of selecting the All-Star starters, but this new process allows for more fan involvement in an Election Day. All the pitchers and reserve position players will continue to be chosen through Player Ballots and selections from the Commissioner’s Office.

 

“The Primary” round of voting opened earlier this week. For 25 days, fans can vote from a ballot of players submitted by the individual clubs. This round concludes on June 21 at 3 pm CST. The Primary round will determine the top-three vote-getters at every position (including nine outfielders). “The Starters Election” will take the top vote getters from “The Primary” and open an all-out voting war. Starting at 11 am CST on June 26, fans will have 28-hours to vote for the starters.

 

Sorting Through the Candidates

Jorge Polanco’s 2019 performance has inserted him in the early MVP discussion. He’s currently tied with Mike Trout for the most WAR among position players. He’s on nearly every American League offensive leaderboard as he ranks in the top-5 in batting average, OBP, hits, total bases, triples, runs created, and extra-base hits. Polanco looks like a smart baseball bet to be one of the club’s representatives.

 

Eddie Rosario is another top candidate and he’s clearly a team leader on and off the field. His 17 home runs and 47 RBIs rank him at the top of AL. Besides that, he’s also in the top-10 for slugging %, runs scored, and total bases. The AL outfield is a little tough to crack with players like Mike Trout, George Springer, and Mookie Betts. To beat out these well-known stars, Rosario is going to have to continue to produce.

 

The team’s other two outfielders, Max Kepler and Byron Buxton, also rank well in the AL. Kepler is coming off AL Player of the Week honors, but he isn’t as well known outside of Twins Territory. Buxton’s name has been in baseball circles since he was a top amateur and he leads the AL in doubles. Both players will run into the same problem as Rosario; casual fans are going to vote for more well-known players.

 

CJ Cron’s 13 home runs are tied for the most among AL first baseman. Defensively, he’s also elevated himself into the Gold Glove conversation. At one point, Mitch Garver looked like the club’s best hitter. However, an ankle injury has him on the DL and he doesn’t appear on the ballot. Jason Castro’s season has also been strong, but Garver looked like Babe Ruth at one point.

 

Even though fans don’t vote for pitchers, Minnesota has some strong candidates. Jake Odorizzi already won AL Player of the Week. He has the league’s best ERA and a microscopic 0.99 WHIP. Jose Berrios, Minnesota’s lone 2018 All-Star, has the AL’s best BB/9 average while ranking highly in other areas. Martin Perez’s journey from cast-off reliever to top starter has been one of the team’s best stories. Minnesota’s bullpen is also full of worthy candidates like Blake Parker, Taylor Rogers, and Ryne Harper.

 

Could Minnesota wind up with four or more All-Star selections for the first time since 1988? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[RedBull34]

I understand Trout, Springer, and Betts are all likely to get in, but it feels like such a snub that none of the Twins OF's are likely to get in, when they are all having such great seasons.

 

I'm expecting Cron, Polanco, Berrios, and one of Perez, Odo, and Rogers are the Twins All-Stars this year provided they keep up their pace.

[jz7233]

Polanco and Odorizzi should be there. Garver could be there if he keeps it up when he comes back from injury.

[bighat]

Unreal that I was just thinking about this and was going to post my own question about it. Here's who I think deserves it:

 

Polanco - sadly, Lindor will get the start even though he's missed most of the 1st half. Fan voting is a joke and it's only gotten worse over the years.

Rosario - deserves to be a starter as well, leads league in HR and RBI

Berrios

Odorizzi

Perez

 

I don't think Kepler, Buxton, or Cron have a chance to get in.

 

 

[Squirrel]

I thought about voting this year because the Twins are doing so well ... then decided, pfft, who cares, really, about the all-star game. With fan voting, it should be renamed the fan-star game.

 

That said, as of today, several Twins deserve spots and several more deserve consideration. Hope a couple of them get it.

[Han Joelo]

I TOO was just thinking about this, as I had read an article on MLB.com that pretty much snubbed everyone except Polanco.  And in Polanco's case, as an aside, I keep seeing this phrase that indicates something like "he is finally doing what so many predicted of him."  I always had high hopes for him, but not even MVP hopes.  What national writers ever predicted this?

 

Anyway, upon looking at the numbers, and the teams involved, I also resigned myself to the fact that the team with current best record in the majors would likely get snubbed, but I console myself with the thought that the reason they have the best record is that they are a team of great players, and the simple truth is that few of them are quite to that elite status.

 

Having said that, I expect Polanco and Rosario to be there on the position side, as long as Rosario doesn't go on a month long slump.

 

Among so many stupid things about the whole thing, is the fact that guys like Garver don't end up on the ballot.  

[dbminn]

I don't mind that the casual fans vote. MLB wants those folks to watch the game. Besides, they've only made a couple of big misses the past two years. Worthy players still get selected as reserves if the fans make a mistake.

 

My guesses for Twins All-Stars (none will be voted in):

• Polanco should be voted in but will end up as a reserve. 
• One of the OF should make the team. IMO, Rosario is most deserving but Buxton might be the selection. He has the ability to make a memorable defensive play, which might sway the commissioner's office. (There are exciting plays other than Ks and HRs)
• Both Odorizzi and Berrios deserve to make the team. They are ranked as the 7th and 8th best SP by FanGraphs WAR. It's more likely only one SP will be selected. I guess Berrios.

By my count, only three make it. Who knows? A lot can change in the next three weeks.

 

[MMMordabito]

I only voted for Twins in the AL, except for 3B, just because I like Chapman.

 

Will be stuffing every day .... Not that it matters, since way more Yankees and Red Sox fans will do the same.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

I really want Harper to make the ASG. What a story that would be.

[Doctor Wu]

 

I thought about voting this year because the Twins are doing so well ... then decided, pfft, who cares, really, about the all-star game. With fan voting, it should be renamed the fan-star game.

 

That said, as of today, several Twins deserve spots and several more deserve consideration. Hope a couple of them get it.

I gotta agree with your mindset. I used to get really worked up about which Twin (or in good years, Twins plural) "deserved" to be on the All-Star team each year.. But in recent years I just don't care that much any longer. A good percentage of the choices are totally undeserved, so why worry about it. Sure, it will be nice to see a handful of Twins get picked,but ultimately, I don't care either way. Let's focus on the playoffs!

[jmlease1]

Twins should get Polanco, Odorizzi, and maybe Cron. Rosario & Kepler are both very deserving, but at least one will get squeezed out, possibly both. Berrios is having another good season, but won't get in this year. Perez will need to get back on the field and have another dominant performance to have a chance: the bad bullpen outings will likely keep him off.

 

In the end, i expect the Twins will get more snubs and only Polanco and Odorizzi will be representing the team at the all-star game.

[SackmanO5]

And how about Jonathon Schoop?  Currently number 2 in AL for HR, 3rd for RBI, tied for 1st in doubles, first in runs scored.  Granted his .260 batting average isn't overwhelming but he is slugging .503 with an OPS of .817.  I would say that he stacks up very well offensively with any other AL second baseman this year.  Plus one of the top defensive players at the position. 

[DiscGolfer]

I'm more curious who participates in the home run derby, Will it just be the Twins vs the rest of the league or how do they figure that one out?

[MNT1996]

 

Unreal that I was just thinking about this and was going to post my own question about it. Here's who I think deserves it:

 

Polanco - sadly, Lindor will get the start even though he's missed most of the 1st half. Fan voting is a joke and it's only gotten worse over the years.

Rosario - deserves to be a starter as well, leads league in HR and RBI

Berrios

Odorizzi

Perez

 

I don't think Kepler, Buxton, or Cron have a chance to get in.

 

There's no way Lindor gets the start if Polanco keeps going on his pace. Baseball fans have recognized that Polanco is doing better than LIndor this year. At this pace Lindor shouldn't even go to the all-star game. It should be Polanco starting with either Bogaerts or Anderson backing up.

[Riverbrian]

I only voted for Twins in the AL, except for 3B, just because I like Chapman.

 

Will be stuffing every day .... Not that it matters, since way more Yankees and Red Sox fans will do the same.

If Sano loses by one vote!

[james2334]

I feel like we can't lose either way. Either we get 4 or 5 twins voted to the all-star game and I have a reason to watch it for the first time in about 10 years. Or half the team gets snubbed and La Bomba Squad comes out for the second half of the season with a massive chip on its shoulder destroying everything in its path on the way to the World Series!!

[ScrapTheNickname]

This almost deserves a separate post, but I want to keep it on the Twins and the All-Star team so more people are likely to read it ... this is old news to some, new to others I hope:

 

All-Star Rosters Need to be Expanded: It's Logical!

 

1) In 1958, each league had 8 teams and 25 men made the All-Star team, which meant 3.1 players per team, on average, were All-Stars.

 

3) In 2019, each league has 15 teams, and yes the roster has expanded to 34 players; however, this means only 2.26 players from each team, on average, go.

 

Dear Commissoner,

 

1) Buy a calculator.

2) Bring the rosters up to the speed they were at in 1958. If you do so, the American League roster will contain 47 players (13 players more than at present!).

 

 

[mikelink45]

Lets concentrate on the season.  I want the players to have the All Star break off and be ready for the second half.  

[strumdatjaguar]

It would be pure baseball injustice if the AL All-Star team did NOT include Polanco, Rosario and Odorizzi.    Certainly Berrios, Buxton, Cron, Parker and Kepler are worthy as well.

[MMMordabito]

 

If Sano loses by one vote!

 

Sano would have to be a write-in ... If Gonzalez loses by one vote, I'll submit to being pilloried outside Target Field for a weekend series.

[Mr. Brooks]

MLB decided they want a popularity contest, not a true all star game. Therefore, by definition there are no snubs.

 

I would prefer a true all star game, but that is probably never coming back.

[denarded]

To everyone over the age of 15...Who cares. I giggle everytime I"m listening to 670 The Score in Chicago and they have a segment with Ron Coomer who is introduced as "American League All Star Ron Coomer" Meh. Let the guys get a couple days rest and let the real reward come with a deep post season run. The guys who are 'All Stars' know who they are.

[TribeAZ13]

 

Unreal that I was just thinking about this and was going to post my own question about it. Here's who I think deserves it:

 

Polanco - sadly, Lindor will get the start even though he's missed most of the 1st half. Fan voting is a joke and it's only gotten worse over the years.

Rosario - deserves to be a starter as well, leads league in HR and RBI

Berrios

Odorizzi

Perez

 

I don't think Kepler, Buxton, or Cron have a chance to get in.

whoa whoa whoa... i love chatting with u guys and yea, polanco deserves the nod, but lets not ever pretend that lindor isnt deserving of the all star game...had zero spring training missed 20 games and he has numbers that would be pacing better than jorge if all games were played by both..Lindor is a top 5 player in baseball. Not even debatable...Jorge i hope gets the vote but Frankie more than earns his spot

[TribeAZ13]

 

Polanco and Odorizzi should be there. Garver could be there if he keeps it up when he comes back from injury.

omg, Polanco and Rosario are locks, not even a question...Jake would be now but lets see if he can keep pace and berrios is a lock..4 sure fire guys right there..Cron doesnt have a chance, nor does he deserve it...Abreu and Santana are far ahead ..Schoop has a great shot in a reserve role..they love the second basemen with power numbers..as twins fans are used to...all and all, 5 guys is realistic, and if ur the best record, u should get your guys in...Cleveland is set already bc only a few dudes have carried the whole team...Brad Hand is the best closer in the game, hes in..Lindor is there and Carlos Santana should get the start at first but reserve role works

[yarnivek1972]

omg, Polanco and Rosario are locks, not even a question...Jake would be now but lets see if he can keep pace and berrios is a lock..4 sure fire guys right there..Cron doesnt have a chance, nor does he deserve it...Abreu and Santana are far ahead ..Schoop has a great shot in a reserve role..they love the second basemen with power numbers..as twins fans are used to...all and all, 5 guys is realistic, and if ur the best record, u should get your guys in...Cleveland is set already bc only a few dudes have carried the whole team...Brad Hand is the best closer in the game, hes in..Lindor is there and Carlos Santana should get the start at first but reserve role works

Cleveland is barely a .500 team. You really think they will get 3 representatives?

[DocBauer]

Honestly, despite being a huge baseball fan, the All Star game just lost luster for me several years ago. Maybe it was inter-league play, or saturation, or ridiculous fan voting, I don't know.

 

Rosario and Polanco SHOULD BE automatic. Buxton and Kepler have claim, but won't go due to voting, depth, and fan votes.

 

Cron and Schoop are deserving, but won't probably go due to selecting a balanced roster and trying to represent every team.

 

Berrios, Odorizzi, Perez and Rogers are all deserving. At least 1, maybe 2, will go.

 

We will end up, total, with 3 or 4 Twins going.

 

Shame about Garver. His ankle doesn't get banged up, try telling anyone he didn't deserve to go.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

whoa whoa whoa... i love chatting with u guys and yea, polanco deserves the nod, but lets not ever pretend that lindor isnt deserving of the all star game...had zero spring training missed 20 games and he has numbers that would be pacing better than jorge if all games were played by both..Lindor is a top 5 player in baseball. Not even debatable...Jorge i hope gets the vote but Frankie more than earns his spot

Lindor is likely a better player than Polanco going forward, yes.

 

In 2019, Polanco has been the better player. Polanco has ripped out a whopping 2.6 fWAR in roughly a third of a season. Lindor has come up with a 1.0 fWAR in roughly a quarter of a season.

 

Jorge is the better player right now. I don't think that will be true going forward but it's true right now.

[puckstopper1]

Just looked at the ballot.  We could see two starting outfields with players who

all have OPS of over 1.01. 

 

WOW!