We are about halfway to the All-Star break from the start of the season and the Twins currently have a 5.5 game lead in the AL Central. It occurred to me last week that despite a really good start, that there aren’t any sure-fire All-Stars on the team. Buxton started red hot, but he has missed a bunch of games and his batting average and OPS have slipped. Correa had a miserable start and missed almost two weeks on the IL with injured fingers. Polanco has slumped recently and his hitting is barely above average. 
 

Ryan has been very good, but a bad outing or two might make his numbers look pedestrian. Sonny Gray has been great his last three starts, but he missed almost a month with injury. 
 

Two below-the-radar candidates might be Luis Arraez and Max Kepler. In a year when power has been neutralized, Arraez’ on-base skills might get some attention. He has a gaudy BA and OBP and should also get some credit for defensive flexibility and low strikeout percentage. Finally, as of today, Kepler has one of the top OPS numbers of AL right fielders. He has been solid in just about every category. I thought Kep deserved an All-Star berth in 2019. Perhaps he could get a nod this year. Thoughts? Opinions? Dismissals? All welcome here. 

Luis Arraez is having the best season of any Twin and as of today is most deserving of an AS nod.

23 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Luis Arraez is having the best season of any Twin and as of today is most deserving of an AS nod.

Chief, does that make you an Arraez fan?

I seem to recall some rather critical comments about Arraez’ skillls and abilities. 

Feeling a little bad for Joe Smith. In a lot of years where the Twins were bad, his numbers might have made him our All-Star by default, which would have been pretty cool for a guy who's been around for so long.

But he's having a great season on a team where too many other guys are good too.

As for WAR (ESPN), Kepler is the 12th best offensive player, and Ryan is the 12th best pitcher in the American League.

Arraez is basically leading the league in average.

My guess is Buxton picks it up and ends up an All Star.

As of right now arreaz ,  Ryan and duran with  kepler as an honorable mention , he's a streaky hitter so we'll see if he continues to hit and spray the ball to all fields instead of pulling into the shift  ,,,

could be all stars in July  ,,,,

Arreaz , Ryan,  kepler and Duran 

Arraez is an interesting one. Definitely deserving at this point, but what position would he get the nomination for? 1B is typically a tough position to crack. Correa has the name recognition so if he continues to push his numbers up then he should be in. And like others said, Buxton is an all-star. He just needs to get healthy. The stats will trend back to where he was at the beginning of the year.

Arraez is an interesting "bubble" candidate because of his position flexibility. Ultimately, Buxton's defensive and star power will get him the votes. If Correa can put up some bigger numbers he could make it as well as Kepler.

Pitchers could be Ryan and Duran.

My predictions......if the Twins can keep up this pace:

Arraez, Buxton, Correa, Kepler, Ryan and Duran.

 

Kepler is leading the team in WAR. Ryan would be the most deserving pitcher, and Smith or Duran could get some consideration. 

That said, it'll probably be Buxton. I fully expect him to turn it around again. 

I kind of feel like the MLB All-Star Game has become pretty similar to the NFL Pro Bowl nowadays. With so many players who are injured (legit or just needing to rest going into the break) coupled with pitchers needing to mind their rest days, that opens the door for a number of fringe players making the rosters.

I think the Twins have a solid shot in having multiple players going. 

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Chief, does that make you an Arraez fan?

I seem to recall some rather critical comments about Arraez’ skillls and abilities. 

I do want to add that I agreed with Chief's comments then and now. Arraez does have shortcomings, but when getting on base now has a higher priority, it is obvious how important he is to the current team.

9 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Chief, does that make you an Arraez fan?

I seem to recall some rather critical comments about Arraez’ skillls and abilities. 

Reread my post.

 

 

Because of the team's standing at the end of the 2021 season, the Twins will be lucky to have A PLAYER named to the squad. The most versatile will be Arraez.

If someone else is dropped because of injury, maybe someone like Ryan or Duran will reeive consideration. But not often that a rookie makes the roster. Has happened, but with the light useage of Ryan....time will tell.