The MLB All Star selections are in (minus the final five vote). Overall, a pretty good job by the fans and managers, I’d rate the selections a B+ or A-. That better than many years, but, as always, there is some disapointment and debate. Here are BBRT’s commentary on the”snubs” of 2012, as well as my vote for the final spot.
#1 Snub … Voters select Pablo Sandoval (Giants) to start over David Wright (Mets) at third base. Look at the numbers, Sandoval’s 45 games, .300 average, 6 HRs and 25 RBI are respectable – but put them up against Wright’s 76 games, .354 average, 9 HRs and 50 RBI and I know who my starter would be.
#2 … Voters select Mike Napoli (Rangers) to start at catcher for the AL. Yes, Napoli hit 56 homers in 2010-11 and was a post-season star, but he’s not even close to my first choice.
Check out the numbers:
Totals as of June 1 HR RBI Avg.
Mike Napoli 12 30 .235
Joe Mauer (Twins) 4 36 .324
A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox) 14 45 .285
Matt Wieters (Orioles) 11 38 .249
My choice: A.J., with Mauer and Wieters on the bench.
Encarnacion deserves to be at the 2012 All Star game.
#3 … No reserve spot for Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays) on the AL squad. Encarnacion’s rung up a .291 average, with 22 HRs and 55 RBI in 76 games. Who would I drop? At the reserve DH spot, the AL has Adam Dunn with 79 games, a .210 average, 24 HRs, and 58 RBI. Some additional factors: Encarnacion has 8 SBs to 0 for Dunn; 50 Runs to 44 for Dunn; and has struck out 54 times, compared to Dunn’s league-leading 126. Dunn does lead Encarnacion in walks 64 to 32, but still trails in OBP .359 to .373 and Slg. Pct. .507 to .572. Overall, I give Encarnacion the nod for the final DH spot behind David Ortiz (Red Sox) and Billy Butler (Royals).
#4 … Voters select Buster Posey (Giants) to start over Carlos Ruiz (Phillies) and Yadier Molina (Cardinals) at NL catcher. Okay, we have a trio deserving backstops here, but the numbers swing in Ruiz’s favor and drop Posey to third.
Totals as of June 1 HR RBI Avg.
Buster Posey 10 42 .303
Carlos Ruiz 11 43 .356
Yadier Molina 13 45 .312.
#5 … Matt Kemp selected by the voters having played only 36 games played.
#6 … A few I’d classify as truly deserving, even at the expense of other selections:
Aaron Hill (2B. – Diamondbacks)
Johnny Cueto (SP – Reds)
Austin Jackson (OF – Tigers)
Ernesto Frieri (RP – Angels)
Zack Grienke (S P- Brewers)
Jason Kipnis (2B – Indians)
Finally, my votes in the final five for each league.
First the NL, going with tradition here and voting for the Braves’ Chipper Jones to make a final All-Star appearance, honoring a 19-career which now stands at a .304 average, 460 HRs and 1,590 RBI.
Frieri … my AL final five vote … wearing an Angels uniform, of course.
In the AL, going with the surprise flame thrower – Angels closer Ernesto Frieri. For the season (Padres and Angels), Frieri has pitched in 35 games, 36 innings, giving up only 16 hits, fanning 60 and notching a 0.75 ERA. With the Angels, he’s pitched in 24 games (10 saves), totaled 24.1 innings, given up just 7 hits and no runs, and whiffed 42. Fans need to see this guy pitch on the big stage.
