As part of the great organization of bloggers that we are happily a founding member of, the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, I’m happy to submit the following ballot for the BBA’s 2011 All-Star balloting:
Catcher
National League – Brian McCann, Atlanta
American League – Alex Avila, Detroit
I’m sure the McCann pick will anger our three loyal readers, but the fact is that even Yadi’s hot bat (which has cooled of late with the rest of the Cards) and perennial Gold Glove aren’t enough to overcome McCann’s prowess at the plate. Avila is the should-be All Star that no one is talking about, and he’s even losing votes to a teammate who barely catches anymore.
Image by Getty Images via @daylife
First Base
National League – Prince Fielder, Milwaukee
American League – Adrian Gonzalez, Boston
The only real debate with either of these is possibly going with Joey Votto, but I doubt many will argue with Prince and AGonz.
Second Base
National League – Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee
American League – Dustin Pedroia, Boston
Pedroia gets the nod over Robinson Cano, more or less because I say so. Weeks has been outstanding for the Brewers this season, another victim of a bit of “popularity contest fatigue”.
Third Base
National League – Chase Headley, San Diego and Ryan Roberts, Arizona
American League – Kevin Youkilis, Boston
Hey, this is my ballot, so I can say there is a tie if I want to. In a weakened NL 3B field, Headley and Roberts have shown out a bit with defense and baserunning – two traits not normally a factor at a position where slugging percentage wins All Star berths. Youkilis gets the nod over Alex Rodriguez in the AL, well, again, because I say so.
Shortstop
National League – Jose Reyes, New York (NL)
American League – Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland
The NL choice isn’t even really a competition here, while the AL has three really good candidates, IMO. I chose Cabrera for his elevating performance to-date this season over Yunel Escobar and Alexei Ramirez.
Outfield
National League – Matt Kemp, Los Angeles (NL); Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh; Matt Holliday, St. Louis
American League – Jose Bautista, Toronto; Curtis Granderson, New York (AL); Matt Joyce, Tampa Bay
By name: Kemp, easily the best NL outfield candidate. McCutchen, exciting part of Pittsburgh’s rebirth this season. Holliday, maybe I homered Ryan Braun a bit here, but Holliday without injuries would’ve made it no contest. Joey Bats, DUH. Granderson, just slightly less duh. Joyce, kind of a do-it-all type of cat who ranked highly in WPA/LI which appeals to me. Remember the part about how this is my ballot and I can do with it as I please?
Designated Hitter (AL only)
American League – David Ortiz, Boston
I was amazed to find Bobby Abreu pop up in the discussion here. Not enough to warrant actually typing out his name, but…ah, dangit.
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So there you have it. I should be clear that you are not to pummel Dennis or Josh over these selections, because I foolishly and arrogantly came up with them on my own, with no outside consultation.
Agree with any of these? Disagree with most? Hit up the comments below, or you can always attack me on Twitter @PitchersHit8th.
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