All Star Selection Show Open Thread
by IE Angel on Jul 3, 2011 11:54 AM PDT
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PrintUPDATE: Jered Weaver and Howie Kendrick Named to the AL All Star Team.
Last year, we all witnessed the ungodly initial All Star snub of Jered Weaver that got everyone heated and going through the annual ritual of justly bitching about the All Star Games countless flaws.
While the overgrown rat managing the Yankees (otherwise known as Joe Girardi) eventually added Weaver to the roster so that he could watch the game in his home stadium; the snub was just the latest in a long and likely never ending cycle of East Coast bias.
I thought it would be appropriate to send out my projections and open up a thread for discussion on the latest selection of the Yankees and Red Sox versus the National League which takes place Sunday at 9 am Pacific.
I'll start with how I see the NL breaking down. Starters in bold, then backups.
I probably won't fill out the entire roster, just give a breakdown of who I think will win the voting at each spot and list a backup. Along with additional comments with my personal analysis on deserving or undeserving players.
C: Brian McCann: Has it pretty much locked up and deserves it.
Backup: Yadier Molina: Probably will be him, could make an argument for Lucroy from Milwaukee or Ruiz in Philadelphia.
1B: Pujols will win the voting but I think Prince Fielder ends up starting over Joey Votto.
Backup. Joey Votto.
2B: Rickie Weeks
Backup: Brandon Phillips
SS: Troy Tulowitzki (My 2nd favorite player in the MLB right now, ever since I saw him go yard at LB State)
Backup: Jose Reyes. (Deserves to start. Might close the gap in voting with how beastly he's played this week)
3B: Placido Polanco has had this locked up for a month.
Backup: Ryan Roberts. Tough one because of how weak the position is in the NL. I'll go with a dude who I love watching play and deserves to go, slight home park bias.
OF: Ryan Braun (Never miss an at bat. Dude is the most complete hitter in baseball right now.)
Lance Berkman (Will probably end up being moved to the DH spot)
Matt Kemp (Calling that he closes the gap on Holliday)
Backups: Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, Justin Upton
I'm not going to do complete NL Pitchers. Too much work.
Starters: Halladay, Hamels, Jurrjens, Kershaw, Chacin
Relievers: Storen, Bell, Wilson
And now on to the American League East...I mean American League.
C: Alex Avila makes the world right by closing the gap on Russell Martin and making a deserving start.
Backup: Weak position. WIll probably be Martin.
1B: Adrian Gonzalez. The MVP so far and best move of the offseason.
Backup: Paul Konerko. If he doesn't make the squad it is a robbery. Numbers better than anyone but A-Gon.
2B: Robinson Cano. Kind of obvious.
Backup: I think it should be Howie and hope that it will. But it is going to be Pedroia without a doubt.
SS: Derek Jeter wins this years Most Undeserving All Star award and ends up snubbing at least one other deserving shortstop.
Backup: Asdrubal Cabrera. (either JJ Hardy or Jhonny Peralta get screwed)
3B: Alex Rodriguez. He deserves it.
Backup: Adrian Beltre. But I'd much rather have Callaspo at 3rd. He's the utility infielder we need.
DH: David Ortiz
I'm not going with a backup here. But Michael Young deserve to be on the squad. Didn't see that sentence coming at the beginning of the year when we were all praying that we didn't trade for him .
OF: Jose Bautista (Dude is legit. Thanks for the fantasy baseball title you won me last year.)
Curtis Granderson (His imminent 30-30 season will ensure that he is not available until he is old and overpaid enough to be one of our corner outfielders)
Jacoby Ellsbury passes the undeserving Captain Crackhead.
Backups: Carlos Quentin, Alex Gordon, Brennan Boesch (someone like Adam Jones or Matt Joyce will get snubbed)
Pitchers:
Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, CC Sabathia, James Shields, Michael Pineda, Josh Beckett,,Gio Gonzalez,
Mariano Rivera should be the only closer because of how deep the AL starting pitching is this season. He won't be, but guys like Phillip Humber, Ricky Romero, King Felix, Dan Haren, CJ Wilson, Scott Baker, Justin Masterson, Alexi Ogando and Jeremy Hellickson will be snubbed so we can watch Jose Valverde, Chris Perez or Kyle Farnsworth pitch an inning.
Angels end up with one rep and no one on the Final Vote ballot. Those are my thoughts. Share Yours.
Post Script Update:
Glad I was wrong about the Angels only getting one rep. Players voted in Howie over Pedroia.
Final Rosters (starters in bold):
National League
C: Brian McCann, Yadier Molina
1B: Prince Fielder, Gaby Sanchez, Joey Votto
2B: Rickie Weeks, Brandon Phillips
3B: Placido Polanco, Chipper Jones
SS; Jose Reyes, Troy Tulowitzki, Starlin Castro
OF: Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Hunter Pence, Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran, Jay Bruce
Pitchers: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Jair Jurrjens, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Clayton Kershaw, Jonny Venters, Tyler Clippard, Heath Bell, Brian Wilson, Joel Hanrahan
American League:
C: Alex Avila, Russell Martin, Matt Weiters
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera
2B: Robinson Cano, Howie Kendrick
3B: Alex Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre
SS: Derek Jeter, Asdrubal Cabrera
Utility: Michael Young, Michael Cuddyer
DH: David Ortiz
OF: Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson, Josh Hamilton, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Joyce, Carlos Quentin
Pitchers: Jered Weaver, James Shields, David Price, Felix Hernandez, Josh Beckett, Gio Gonzalez, Justin Verlander, C.J. Wilson, Brandon League, Chris Perez, Mariano Rivera, Aaron Crow, Jose Valverde
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
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Comments
Weave and Weave Alone
Haren, Kendrick, Walden and even Aybar could see a glimmer of chance if a few injury dominoes fall, but probably just weaver either starting or pitching after Verlander and CC (due to Girardi mancrush).
I think Weave gets the start just because Verlander starts on the Sunday before.
and I think CC does as well.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
I dont care as long as he starts
Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
Minor League Ball's 2010 Rookie of the Year Poster
If you didn't know by now, my screen name is sarcastic
by mathisrocks5 on Jul 2, 2011 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions
There will be more than two players at some of these positions since 34 players make the team
I think Howie actually makes it in with Cano and Pedroia. The fact that Howie has played first and left field helps him a little in my opinion. Also since Ron Washington sees us alot in the AL West, maybe Kendrick also gets a favorable selection. Walden had a great chance, unfortunately that last blown save probably brought an end to that.
Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .197
Howie and Haren are deserving, but its too good to be true
Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
Minor League Ball's 2010 Rookie of the Year Poster
If you didn't know by now, my screen name is sarcastic
by mathisrocks5 on Jul 2, 2011 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions
no doubt. there aren't enough to fill a roster here.
i just listed starter and backup. but with the depth at 1st and OF and SS and SP. I don’t think Howie has a shot. I hope, but don’t see it.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
Whats funny is that Weaver's ERA and WHIP have gotten much lower than last year
but he isnt striking as many guys out. 7.7 per 9 compared to 9.3 last year. Hes is just a great pitcher, hed be my #2 option to start the AS game behind Verlander, but hes isnt eligible, so GO WEAVE!!!
Lance Berkman= Awesome, CJ Wilson= Jack@$$
Minor League Ball's 2010 Rookie of the Year Poster
If you didn't know by now, my screen name is sarcastic
Here's my prediction--a combination of voting trends, common sense and sheer likeliness.
AMERICAN LEAGUE (starters listed first, then backups)
C: Alex Avila (DET), Joe Mauer (MIN), Russell Martin (NYY)
1B: Adrian Gonzalez (BOS), Paul Konerko (CWS), Mark Teixeira (NYY)
2B: Robinson Cano (NYY), Dustin Pedroia (BOS), Howie Kendrick (LAA)
3B: Alex Rodriguez (NYY), Adrian Beltre (TEX)
SS: Derek Jeter (NYY), Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
OF: Jose Bautista (TOR), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Josh Hamilton (TEX), Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), Brett Gardner (NYY), Nick Markakis (BAL), Jeff Francouer (KC), Coco Crisp (OAK)
SP: Jered Weaver (LAA), Justin Verlander (DET), James Shields (TB), Josh Beckett (BOS), Jon Lester (BOS), C.C. Sabathia (NYY)
RP: Mariano Rivera (NYY), Chris Perez (CLE), Brandon League (SEA), Jordan Walden (LAA), Jonathan Papelbon (BOS), Scott Downs (LAA)
FINAL VOTE: Dan Haren (SP, LAA), Sam Fuld (OF, TB), Sergio Santos (RP, CWS), Michael Pineda (SP, SEA), Max Scherzer (SP, DET)
Now to explain some things…
How do the Angels have 4 All-Stars?! Well…let’s consider who’s managing the AL roster this year. That would be Ron Washington, who knows the Angels quite well, seeing as his team plays ours 19 times a year. He knows just how dangerous a hitter Howie is. He knows extremely well how scary Weaver and Walden can be, and the lights-out dramatics that Downs displays so easily.
How do Joe Mauer, Jeff Francouer, Nick Markakis and Coco Crisp make the roster? Sheer need. If a team doesn’t have an All-Star, coaches add as needed. Minnesota, Kansas City, Baltimore and Oakland don’t have many flashy players, so Mauer (injured as he may have been) gets the Twin bid, Frenchy’s decent season gets him beckoned for KC, Markakis’ status as the face of the O’s gets him in (although a small case can be made for Jake Arrieta being an All-Star), and Coco’s speed (and the absence of Josh Willingham) get him in for the A’s.
Four pitchers in the Final Vote, and the one position player is SAM FULD?! Well…you tell me who I didn’t list that isn’t a perpetual snub. Miguel Cabrera? Perpetual snub. Ian Kinsler? Perpetual snub.
Most of this is my own fantasy, but hey. Let’s see how much comes true tomorrow. I stick by one thing, though: The Angels will have 4 All-Stars.
"Erstad says he's got it, Erstad...MAKES THE CATCH! The Anaheim Angels are the champions of baseball!" - Rory Markas, October 27, 2002
by Of Maicer and Men on Jul 3, 2011 12:08 AM PDT reply actions
Joe Mauer has only played 22 games this season
Carlos Santana makes the team over him. Jason Kubel or Scott Baker will be their representative. Also Gio Gonzales will definitely be the A’s rep and Adam Jones for the O’s. Also, you think Brett Gardner will be on the team? What?
Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .197
Gardner was something like 7th in fan balloting for the OF.
Players vote reputation over stats just like fans do, hence why I threw Mauer in over Kubel or baker. Gonzalez…didn’t think about that, so you make a case there. But Markakis over Jones is still my one stronghold here.
"Erstad says he's got it, Erstad...MAKES THE CATCH! The Anaheim Angels are the champions of baseball!" - Rory Markas, October 27, 2002
by Of Maicer and Men on Jul 3, 2011 12:45 AM PDT up reply actions
The Orioles all star will be either Hardy or Adam Jones.
Scott Baker, Cuddyer, or Kubel make it before Mauer.
Francouer will not be the Royals pick.
Coco Crisp is possible but not likely the A’s pick with their pitching.
This is just unrealistic.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
He pulled ahead of Cabrera in the last update.
Fate was sealed.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
I missed that.
I think the only question left is, can Jeter be an All-Star after he’s retired?
The game won't count anymore
so they will eventually cancel it two, or three years, for now. After he get inducted in Cooperstown.
It's those jump throws. They are TEH AWESOME!!!
If the Halos don't care about the way they play, then why should I?
The guys on TBS are PUSSSIES
not one would actually say Jeter didn’t deserve it. Awful.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
And here I was thinking Macier Izturis would make a late run
ANd be the AL leading vote getter. Just absolutely shocking results so far
Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .197
Wow, Mariano Rivera made the team?
I can’t believe it!
Five Relief Pitchers.
Why do there need to be that many?
So many AL starters got robbed. SO MANY.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
The list is crazy long.
Haren, Sabathia, Baker, Humber, Romero, Ogando,
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
And some will get on because of the Sunday start rule.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
I was nervous that they weren't gonna pick Weave for a second
And no CC, weird
Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .197
Good to see Matt Joyce make it
He deserves it. He should probably be a starter with Bautista and Granderson, but at least he made the team
Joyce has been slumping badly for a month
I’m surprised he still made it. He’s on my fantasy team.
by Persi W on Jul 3, 2011 2:49 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Haren, Weaver are no doubt
Kendrick definitely SHOULD be on there, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he got screwed.
Walden is the wild card. I was shocked to see various national publications putting him on the team, him bing a rookie and blowing saves we see all too frequently. I’m not sure exactly why his name is in the mix, but my guess is he’s out though I’d be thrilled if he got in.
On a side note, living in Phoenix, I’ve never seen an All Star game, but this year I’d like to go so I’m thinking about it and/or the Futures game and Trout. Btw, I didn’t see a Futre Angel on the World Squad this year- aren’t we supposed to have one? Any one know why we don’t?
That's what I thought last year when it was here in Anahiem
But the tickets are SO expensive, even for the HR Derby and Futures Game.
by Persi W on Jul 3, 2011 2:51 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
So other than Jeter, who do you guys think is the worst pick?
I think Felix Hernandez or Aaron Crow takes that honor
Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .197
I'd like to wait until 7 Phillies make it.
But I think it’s either Aaron Crow over Alex Gordon
or Weiters over JJ Hardy.
The Jhonny Peralta snub is the worst one to me though. Close with Pineda.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
I feel pretty good about this years selections
Other than Jeter I think all the starters are deserving. Usually guys like Ichiro and Pujols go regardless of how well they’re playing. Not too many bad snubs. Peralta definately should have made it (surprised he’s not in the last man vote) and same with Victor Martinez (since I think Konerko will and should win the last man vote). Everyone deserving usually gets named as a replacement by the time the game actually happens anyway. Hopefully that includes Haren.
by Persi W on Jul 3, 2011 3:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Actually
Teixeira and Ryan Howard are huge omissions.
by Persi W on Jul 4, 2011 11:37 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Disagreed
It is time for some West Coast bias in these selections.
Jeff Mathis Batting Average Watch: .194
I have no problem with less Yankees and Phillies
I was strictly refering to their numbers. I’m surprised they’re not there but certainly not upset about it!
That's awesome.
These are the stories I get excited about each year.
Salt Lake scrub in 2010, All Star in 2011.
No McCutcheon in the NL.
That might be the new worst snub.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
Never mind.
The one I just noticed was Konerko.
Top 5 in all Triple Crown categories. Scary.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
Is that Howie?
I’m just overjoyed that the players voted for HK over Rat Boy in Boston.
Almost makes me forget that the players once voted in Varitek. almost.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
The varitek vote-in was a Piershitsky snub.
I personally was ok with that one.
NOT MY QUINNY!!!!
by halofan4life on Jul 3, 2011 3:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Felix, Verlander and Shields are all scheduled to start Sunday
CC is as well, so he won’t be a sub
he will be
that’s how Weaver got in last year. Sunday starter gets the bid, then replaced right away.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
I forgot about that.
Haren is scheduled to start that Sunday as well, so if he makes the team, he still won’t pitch.
Unless the schedule changes between now and then
Really surprised Zobrist didn't make it
I’m glad HK did though. The final vote between him & Kornerko will be interesting but it should go to Kornerko.
The AL pitchers list is all messed up yo!
CC Sabathia was NOT mentioned…double check the players
Representing the Angels in Sin City.
by maze88 on Jul 3, 2011 12:42 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
it was a projection from last night.
not a list.
"I have one word for you...Be careful."
-Jose Guillen
Definitely deserved
Good to see 2 Halos on the All Star team.
Listen to me most weekdays @ 10:30a PT http://greysonnation.wordpress.com
"Yes but" is the best way on earth to stay broke and subservient -Rev. Halofan
by Greyson Peltier on Jul 3, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Konerko and Morse for the Final Vote.
Agreed?
"Erstad says he's got it, Erstad...MAKES THE CATCH! The Anaheim Angels are the champions of baseball!" - Rory Markas, October 27, 2002
by Of Maicer and Men on Jul 4, 2011 11:29 PM PDT reply actions
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