Saturday, May 21, 2011

All-Star Votes so far

Well, I just thought I should share who I think you should vote for if you were voting for the all-stars right now.  I'll update this every week.
American League:
C- Russell Martin- best free agent pick-up of the off-season by the New York Yankees.  He's already produced 1.7 rWAR so far this season.  His slash line is .270/.374/.484. His OPS+ is 136.  His OPS+ is the highest of his career.  His slugging percentage is also the highest of his career.  He definitely deserves to be an all-star this season.  The next best catcher in the league so far is Alex Avila.  Just interesting to think about.
1B- Adrian Gonzalez- rWAR: 2.0.  If I had to bet on a player to make the all-star game, I would bet all the money I have on Gonzalez making the all-star game as a starter this year.  Boston fans are going to vote him in as quickly as they can.
2b- Howie Kendrick- rWAR: 2.6 slightly higher than Ben Zobrist (Zobrist is not going to be voted in as an all-star, although he should be selected to fill the super-utility role on the all-star game).  Kendrick will not be the starter though, either Pedroia or Cano will be voted in as the starter.
3B- Adrian Beltre or Kevin Youkilis- both tied at 1.7 rWAR so we'll compare the two real quick.  Beltre is the better defender over Youkilis.  Beltre's slash line is .260/.310/.491 and his OPS+ is 118.  Youkilis' slash line is .271/.402/.536 and his OPS+ is 157.  You have to really value Beltre's defense to select him over Youkilis.  I'd rather have Youkilis in the all-star game though.
SS- Maicer Izturis or Jhonny Peralta- Izturis' rWAR is 1.6 and Peralta's rWAR is 1.5.  It's up to you where you think Izturis is a shortstop or second baseman.  It's kind of a coin flip at this point.  Jeter or Alexei Ramirez will probably end up as the starting shortstop though, which might be a disappointment.
LF-(I'm breaking them up by position) Alex Gordon- his rWAR is only 0.9 but he's an interesting story, at the very least.  Brett Gardner or Michael Brantley will probably pass him as worthy all-stars at the left field position.  I'm still rooting for Alex Gordon.  I was hoping the Royals would have traded him to the Twins but I don't think that's happening anymore.  His slash line is .276/.339/.443.
CF-Curtis Granderson- his rWAR is 2.1.  He's actually having a pretty great season.  He's making every team involved in the Austin Jackson-Curtis Granderson-Ian Kennedy trade look like they got exactly what they wanted, even though, it's surprising that the Diamondbacks traded Max Scherzer in this trade.
RF-Jose Bautista his rWAR is 3.9.  He'll be voted in as the starter in a landslide.  He's the most productive battter in the Major Leagues by far.  He is looking ridiculous.
National League:
C- Buster Posey- this should be the first of many all-star seasons.  His rWAR is 1.6 so far, which is pretty impressive.  Posey is one of my faborite players in the league.  His slash line is .278/.367/.389.  His OPS+ is 109.  I would like to see his slugging percentage a little bit higher.  But he is still having a pretty good season so far. The second best catcher in the league is Yadier Molina.
1B- Joey Votto- rWAR: 2.8. He is the most productive player that's not named Jose Bautista in the Major Leagues.  I don't know if he'll be the starter over Albert Pujols in this year's all-star game but with Pujols and his slow start may keep him out of the starting spot.
2B- Brandon Phillips- rWAR 1.7 slight lead over Rickie Weeks.  I think Phillips would be interesting on a roster with Molina, Pujols, and any other Cardinals.  I'm kind of excited to see if Phillips would get attacked by the Cardinals players on the roster.
3B- Placido Polanco- his rWAR is 1.5.  I know I'm as surprised as you are.  I'm sure he will not be the best third basemen in the league much longer.
SS- Jose Reyes- his rWAR is 1.8.  He's playing very well this year.  I'm sure this season will land him a massive contract.  As long as he's healthy he'll do well and be the starter.
LF-Matt Holliday- his rWAR is 2.5.  Holliday is having a great season besides missing time with his appendectomy.  It'll be interesting to see if his contract takes away money from the Albert Pujols extensions.
CF-Matt Kemp- his rWAR is 2.1- Kemp has been on fire this season and definitely deserves to be an all-star this season.
RF-Lance Berkman- his rWAR is 2.1. This free agent signing surprised me.  I thought this was going to be the worst free agent signing but he's having a good season, as well.

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