This trend (which is not at all "new" and is only seemingly more prevalent than last season) has seen multiple teams open the season with great results (Chicago White Sox & Philadelphia Phillies), only to come crashing back down to reality while teams like Houston, Cleveland and Texas elevated to a whole new level of well-played baseball sometime around June 1st after being mediocre or worse for a two-month stretch.
The results of all these streaks have been a lack of early trades before the deadline and many struggling players like Chris Archer, David Price, Sonny Gray and Prince Fielder being hung onto in fantasy leagues because everybody knows deep down in their heads that those players' values will skyrocket once dealt or dumped. I still think we see an active deadline but, I seriously doubt there will be a David Price-type name dealt at the end of the month because, as is the case with any team actually trying this season (AKA: Not Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, Oakland or Minnesota), the odds seem to be in favor of some sort of bounce-back.
Luckily for us, there are still baseball players that have been awesome all year long and they will likely be playing in this year's San Diego-based All-Star Game. Speaking of which, here are the likely lineups (To Be Announced on ESPN on July 5th) for the 88th edition of the MLB All-Star Game...
Current American League Starting Lineup (based on actual leaders of most recent voting update)
Catcher - Salvador Perez (KC)
1st Baseman - Eric Hosmer (KC)
2nd Baseman - Jose Altuve (HOU)
3rd Baseman - Manny Machado (BAL)
Shortstop - Xander Bogaerts (BOS)
Outfielders - Mike Trout (LAA), Jackie Bradley Jr. (BOS) & Mookie Betts (BOS)
Designated Hitter - David Ortiz (BOS)
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| Peter G. Aiken - USA TODAY Sports Salvador Perez leads all AL hitters in All-Star voting. |
Who SHOULD be the AL All-Star Reserves & Pitchers
C - Brian McCann (NYY)
Once you look past Salvador Perez, the AL catching depth dries up very quickly. It's safe to say that the fans got this position right and that Brian McCann, with his .231 batting average, has had another strong power season with 13 home runs as is to be expected with a past-his-prime McCann. I honestly could not find one other candidate for this position and considering the game McCann had the other night, he felt like the appropriate choice for backup catcher.
1B - Miguel Cabrera (DET) and Edwin Encarnacion (TOR)
Eric Hosmer is nice and all but, Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter of the last 13 years now that Albert Pujols has hit the Josh Hamilton post-contract wall. Cabrera should be starting for the American League and is a lock to make Ned Yost's second all-star team. Encarnacion will make his third team mostly due to his leading the league with 73 RBI, even though that is more a result of reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson consistently getting on base ahead of him than it is Encarnacion having an MVP-caliber season. Edwin's got the power numbers (22 homers, 73 RBI) and is solid enough with a .262/.358/.541 line to get the nod at first over Chris Davis.
2B - Robinson Cano (SEA) and Ian Kinsler (DET)
If it weren't for Jose Altuve's monstrous 2016 campaign, we might be looking at Robinson Cano as the clear starting second baseman for the American League and he would even be in the MVP discussion. He might just win AL Comeback Player of the Year after suffering acid reflux via mysteriously terrifying parasite that severely hindered his 2015 production. Ian Kinsler has made the Tigers the nearly-official winners of the Fielder for Kinsler deal of winter 2013. In what could be his fifth all-star campaign, Kinsler has already topped his 2015 home run total (15 compared to last year's 11) and his .296/.342/.428 line has improved to .291/.350/.489. The man is mashing baseballs in a way he hasn't since 2011, when he had a 30/30 season. Meanwhile on his old team, Prince Fielder is hitting .217/.297/.346.
3B - Josh Donaldson (TOR) and Evan Longoria (TB)
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| AP Photo/Chris O'Meara Longoria will be the lone Rays' representative in San Diego on July 12th. |
SS - Francisco Lindor (CLE) and Eduardo Nunez (MIN)
Thankfully, Alcides Escobar does not have the gargantuan lead at shortstop like he did last year. The Kansas City shortstop has a .264/.287/.325 line and that's basically all he had last season also. His defense is a major asset to the Royals but, you know who they would REALLY love to have? Someone that can match his Gold Glove defense with Silver Slugger offense like Francisco Lindor. Everybody was fully aware of Lindor's defensive ability but, the Indians' shortstop is guiding the team down the path to the postseason with a .304 batting average, 10 homers, 94 hits and a .364 on-base percentage. He had never shown this live of a bat before with the closest hint being in 2013 for the Carolina Mudcats of the Carolina League, when he batted .306 (a career minor league peak) and still only had 1 home run in 327 at-bats. Lindor just keeps getting better and will be in many more of these games in the coming years.
In Minnesota, absolutely nothing has gone right (every pitcher stinks, Miguel Sano spent June on the DL, Buxton is mediocre at best, Plouffe is bad, Park flamed out and is now in AAA) except for the unexpected emergence of Eduardo Nunez. The 29-year old presumed reserve infielder was acquired via trade from the Yankees back in the 2013-14 offseason and had shown slight signs of improvement as a Twin but, nowhere near this amount of production. Nunez actually has better stats offensively than Lindor with a .322/.351/.491 line, 11 homers and 18 stolen bases (his previously lone offensive strength). The Twins need somebody to represent them in the All-Star Game and they're grateful that this one is actually a deserving talent.
OF - Ian Desmond (TEX), Mark Trumbo (BAL) and Nelson Cruz (SEA)
When Ian Desmond was a shortstop in Washington, it was glaringly obvious that he required a position change at some point as a result of his 51 errors over the last two seasons. After a long offseason to contemplate his next move, Desmond signed a 1-year, $8 million "Prove yourself" contract with the Texas Rangers where he is the main reason the team is 8.5 games ahead in the AL West. Whatever negative effects his defensive performance had on his mental state while in the batter's box as a shortstop seem to have totally disappeared, creating one of the three best overall outfielders in the American League (sorry, JBJ).
Trumbo is more DH than he is outfielder and really, anyone that leads the majors with 24 home runs (or in this case, Trumbombs) is more hitter than they are anything else. Also an outfielder with limited abilities everywhere besides at the plate, Nelson Cruz is putting up his typical Nelson Cruz numbers (.283/.365/.543-21-56) and is quietly 36-years old so, Seattle better make a run for that wildcard game now if they ever want to see Felix Hernandez in a playoff scenario (Now I'm sad).
Just barely missed the cut - Victor Martinez
Pitching Staff - bold indicates All-Star Game starter
Brad Brach (BAL) 1st All-Star appearance
Zach Britton (BAL) 2nd All-Star appearance
Wade Davis (KC) 2nd All-Star appearance
Michael Fulmer (DET) 1st All-Star appearance
Cole Hamels (TEX) 4th All-Star appearance
Will Harris (HOU) 1st All-Star appearance
Rich Hill (OAK) 1st All-Star appearance
Craig Kimbrel (BOS) 5th All-Star appearance
Andrew Miller (NYY) 1st All-Star appearance
Danny Salazar (CLE) 1st All-Star appearance
Chris Sale (CWS) 5th All-Star appearance
Steven Wright (BOS) 1st All-Star appearance
Just like last season's All-Star preview, I am on board with Chris Sale starting his first start in the mid-summer classic. Unlike last season, I am extremely confident in Sale finally getting the nod in this game....... unless Ned Yost wants Cole Hamels on the mound. Either way, it's down to Hamels and Sale and the other four starting pitchers are just there for relief appearances or slightly more in case of extra innings. One guy who I had a tough time putting on the roster over proven studs like Carlos Carrasco and Masahiro Tanaka was Michael Fulmer. Ultimately, the rookie has been near flawless since his debut with a 2.17 ERA and a less-promising 3.52 FIP and Carrasco missed time due to injury and has only started 10 games as of this post.
Current National League Starting Lineup
Catcher - Yadier Molina (STL)
First Baseman - Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
Second Baseman - Ben Zobrist (CHC)
Third Baseman - Kris Bryant (CHC)
Shortstop - Addison Russell (CHC)
Outfielders - Dexter Fowler (CHC), Yoenis Cespedes (NYM) & Bryce Harper (WAS)
Who should be the NL All-Star reserves & Pitchers
C - Wilson Ramos (WAS) and Buster Posey (SF)
As a former fantasy owner for three years of Wilson Ramos, nothing irritates me more than his existence as a potential all-star. OF COURSE he just decided to have lasik eye surgery the same offseason I decided to finally cut bait with him. OF COURSE he's now batting .343/.396/.567 because when you are a fantasy sports team owner, the world is plotting against you and a man that batted .229/.258/.358 becomes Pudge Rodriguez the moment you drop him. Buster Posey, when not helping deliver babies, is the best catcher in the majors and nobody comes close. It's shocking that Yadier Molina still gets enough votes to start in the All-Star Game and just took the lead from Posey at the last update. With all of the winning the Giants have done, I'm surprised they haven't picked up more bandwagon fans (like the Royals) and Posey has not had the benefit of the bandwagon voters when he's still playing incredibly well.
1B - Wil Myers (SD) and Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
Paul Goldschmidt is the Buster Posey of first basemen, it seems pretty clear that he is the best one and even in a "down" year, he'll still be one of the top three at his position. Goldschmidt spent the first six weeks of the season playing similarly to how Bryce Harper is right now (all walks, little power, weak average, high OBP) and has spent the last seven weeks correcting that by putting up MVP-caliber numbers. It's a shame his team has no chance in the dreaded NL West and Wil Myers suffers the same fate right now. Even though 2013 was only three years ago and that was the year when Myers was hyped up as one of the best prospects in baseball, the lone Padre all-star seemed like an afterthought coming into this season due to injuries and two teams dealing him for legitimate baseball players (James Shields, Wade Davis, Logan Forsythe & more). Thankfully, Myers is healthy and the hype appears to have finally been lived up to as Wil with one L is on pace for a 30/20 season with a .287/.357/.536 line to go along with that. It seems as though all Myers needed to do in order to stay on the field was move in from the outfield and man first base. Now if only San Diego could get a few more pieces around him...
2B - Daniel Murphy (WAS) and Matt Carpenter (STL)
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| Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire Carpenter has bounced around St. Louis's infield and, at the moment, mans second base. |
3B - Nolan Arenado (COL)
As if winning back-to-back-to-back Gold Glove awards wasn't enough, Arenado is a lock to make his second consecutive all-star team. His defense has gotten better somehow and even more creative with Walt Weiss occasionally shifting him over to shortstop. Arenado is the most fun defender to watch outside of maybe Andrelton Simmons and his bat is mighty in Colorado. His offensive numbers (.288/.361/.569-22-66-1) are on pace to match his 2015 numbers (.287/.323/.575-42-130-2) and his team is still nowhere near contending which says a lot about how poorly Colorado's organization has handled this team since they last made the world series in 2007.
SS - Corey Seager (LAD) and Jonathan Villar (MIL)
Kyle Seager was playing like an all-star until these last three weeks when he hit a wall and his .300 batting average dropped down into the .260 range. Fortunately for his family, little brother Corey is playing like the second best all-around shortstop (no offense to fan-favorite Addison Russell) in the game behind Lindor. Villar was a post-hype prospect that Milwaukee decided to give a second chance to after dealing Jean Segura to the Diamondbacks and leaving a hole at shortstop. Suddenly, Villar is arguably the most valuable Brewer with Ryan Braun missing a handful of games every month and being a mediocre left fielder. Villar was acquired from Houston for minor-league pitcher Cy Sneed and went from being a career .236 hitter to a slick .296/.383/.422 line this season. Not to mention, he also leads the major leagues with 26 stolen bases and has improved in every facet of his game. Originally, Milwaukee was likely going to sell high on Villar but, considering how high his ceiling has become, it is more likely that they move him to third long-term once Aaron Hill is traded.
OF - Starling Marte (PIT), Carlos Gonzalez (COL) and Adam Duvall (CIN)
Even though he is just 29 years old, Andrew McCutchen has shockingly fallen to the status of third-best outfielder in Pittsburgh. Gregory Polanco has cooled off and still hits for both power and contact while Cutch has only seen his power stay fully in tact. In left field, Starling Marte has put the "Star" back in his name as he has traded his powerful hacks for contact (something we'll call the "Reverse Carpenter") and has showcased his base-running ability as a bonus of this mental switch. Marte could have been a 30-home run hitter but, the Pirates will gladly accept a .322 hitter that is second to only Villar in stolen bases. Carlos Gonzalez's injury troubles seem to hopefully be a part of the past now as he has picked up where he left off in 2015 and then some. CarGo hit a career-high 40 home runs last season with no run support in front of him as he only knocked in 97 RBI and this year, he has 18 homers, a .321 average and has played 78 games. Again, it's a shame the Rockies can never land a free agent pitcher due to their altitude curse.
Adam Duvall is an alien dropped off in San Francisco from another planet two seasons ago where he showed small hints of a Jack Cust-type power hitter that's either swinging for the fences or not swinging at all. After another cup of coffee with Cincinnati last season, the Reds went into this season in full-on tank mode and Duvall was their opening day left fielder even though he was widely believed to be an infielder and had never shown up on any major prospect lists anywhere during his time in the minors. Luckily on Duvall's home planet, they apparently teach how to smash baseballs back to their planet from earth as Duvall leads all(!!!) NL hitters not named Kris Bryant in home runs with 22. Sure, he only has a .295 on-base percentage and he has gotten super lucky this season but, the great thing about the All-Star Game is that it is only based on the first halves of seasons and guys like Bryan Lahair make it every year. The Reds need someone to represent them this year and it certainly won't be a pitcher so, why not go with the first ever martian all-star?
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| Christian Petersen/Getty Images This is Adam Duvall, a man you have never seen before. |
Jake Arrieta (CHC) 1st All-Star appearance
Madison Bumgarner (SF) 4th All-Star appearance
Johnny Cueto (SF) 2nd All-Star appearance
Jeurys Familia (NYM) 1st All-Star appearance
Jose Fernandez (MIA) 2nd All-Star appearance
Jeanmar Gomez (PHI) 1st All-Star appearance
Kenley Jansen (LAD) 1st All-Star appearance
Jon Lester (CHC) 4th All-Star appearance
Mark Melancon (PIT) 3rd All-Star appearance
A.J. Ramos (MIA) 1st All-Star appearance
Fernando Rodney (MIA) 3rd All-Star appearance
Max Scherzer (WAS) 4th All-Star appearance
Arodys Vizcaino (ATL) 1st All-Star appearance
With Clayton Kershaw on the DL, Jake Arrieta will get a chance to start an All-Star Game (waits for Orioles fans to wipe away their tears). The hot stretch that Arrieta was on in the second-half of last season through June of this year was worthy of a reward that Kershaw could not block him from receiving, good for Jake Arrieta! Jeanmar and Arodys both make the squad as a result of every team needing a player to represent them in this game and Fernando Rodney is the lone all-star to play for two different teams this season after the Padres traded away his 0.29 ERA during an incredible lucky streak. I was shocked to discover that Kenley Jansen has never made an All-Star Game before, especially when he is the lone Dodger reliever worth trusting. Familia is just lucky he has converted every one of his league-leading 29 saves or else he would not have made this roster.
Now, here are my guesses as to who will be the final five left up to fan voting for the final roster spots!
American League
Seattle Mariners P Steve Cishek
Toronto Blue Jays P Marco Estrada
Kansas City Royals P Kelvin Herrera
Chicago White Sox P Jose Quintana
New York Yankees P Masahiro Tanaka
National League
Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun
St. Louis Cardinals SS Aledmys Diaz
Philadelphia Phillies OF Odubel Herrera
Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Jake Lamb
Colorado Rockies SS Trevor Story
Lastly, here are my guesses as to who we might see in this year's Home Run Derby on Monday night.
American League
Seattle Mariners 2B Robinson Cano
Toronto Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion
Baltimore Orioles 3B Manny Machado
Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz
Alterante Pick in case of injury: Baltimore Orioles DH/OF Mark Trumbo
National League
Colorado Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado
Chicago Cubs 3B Kris Bryant
New York Mets OF Yoenis Cespedes
San Diego Padres 1B Wil Myers
Alternate Pick in case of injury: Colorado Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez
Good luck to all those looking to get their names announced tonight, we're all counting on you to #MakeBaseballFunAgain
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