2018 All-Star Game: Five players to consider on your ballot
By Tab Bamford
We’re two short weeks away from the 2018 MLB All-Star Game and voting heating up, some of the usual suspects are leading their respective positions. However, in some other spots like catcher in the American League, new names are emerging.
As I fill out my ballots at La Vida Baseball, I’m looking below the top line on the voting updates for worthy candidates. Who should be in our nation’s capital on July 17? Here are five names I’ve given a long look before submitting our ballot.
Willson Contreras
Catcher, Chicago Cubs (NL)
.276/.369/.434, 4 HR, 23 RBI
Vote Update: Contreras was running second at catcher for the National League in the June 18 update, trailing San Francisco’s Buster Posey by 90,000 votes.
Why Contreras: Contreras actually has a higher OPA and WAR to date than Posey, who is the household name. With Yadier Molina missing a significant part of the first half of the season, the door is open for a new face to emerge from behind the mask in the National League and Contreras, 26, might be the man for the job. Only Francisco Cervelli of the Pirates has a higher on-base percentage than Contreras among qualifying NL catchers.
Jean Segura
Shortstop, Seattle Mariners (AL)
.340/.363/.490, 6 HR, 44 RBI
Vote Update: Segura was fifth in voting at shortstop for the American League in the June 19 update, a little more than 100,000 votes behind Didi Gregorius of the Yankees. Manny Machado, Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor rounded out the top of the ballot.
Why Segura: The Mariners are in the thick of the playoff race in the AL West even without Robinson Cano, and a lot of their offense starts with Segura. He leads AL shortstops in batting average and has 14 stolen bases. He’s fifth in voting but third in WAR to date, trailing only Lindor and Andrelton Simmons.
Eugenio Suarez
Third base, Cincinnati Reds (NL)
.296/.384/.563, 14 HR, 53 RBI
Vote Update: Suarez was fourth in voting at third base for the National League in the June 18 update, trailing Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant and Johan Camargo. He is almost 900,000 votes behind Arenado.
Why Suarez: While nobody is paying attention to Cincinnati, Suarez is hanging around the NL league leaders in RBI and home runs. He’s already accumulated a 2.4 WAR on the season and ranks second among qualifying third basemen in the National League in OPS.
Odubel Herrera
OF, Philadelphia Phillies (NL)
.293/.351/.464, 10 HR, 39 RBI
Vote Update: Herrera was 12th in the outfield voting for the National League in the June 18 update, putting a lot of ground to make up for him to get a starting spot from the voters. Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon is almost 700,000 votes ahead of Herrera for third, behind Atlanta’s Nick Markakis and Washington’s Bryce Harper.
Why Herrera: Herrera’s hair alone makes us want him in Washington this summer. But he’s been the most consistent bat on the Phillies this season as well, ranking in the top five outfielders in the National League in RBI and hits.
Eddie Rosario
OF, Minnesota Twins (AL)
.316/.354/.571, 16 HR, 46 RBI
Vote Update: Rosario was 12th in the outfield voting for the American League in the June 19 update, more than 700,000 votes behind Aaron Judge for third place. Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and Judge are the current top three, and there’s a significant (500,000) vote gap between third and fourth.
Why Rosario: Minnesota is hanging around the woeful AL Central but don’t get much national attention. However, Rosario is absolutely worthy of consideration. He leads the Twins in runs, homers and is at/near the top in RBI. He’s already posted a 3.0 WAR before the end of June.
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