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  • 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.

    Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson, USA Today

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    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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    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

    Sadly agree.

     

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    With the Twins getting attention and solid production from Plouffe and Dozier, I think if selections were made today that either or both of Plouffe and Dozier would be All-Stars.  Plouffe is third in both OPS and WAR behind Donaldson and Moustakas.  Given the dearth of great candidates in the outfield and shortstop, it is entirely possible that three third basemen are named.  Dozier is second in OPS, fourth in WAR (Kipnis is easily the best offensive second baseman so far).  Dozier leads all second sackers in runs and homers.  Both Dozier and Plouffe are good defenders, to boot.  In another six weeks, if their performance continues, I think one or both would be in Cincinnati. 

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