Rosters for the 2015 All-Star Game are out as of last night but they aren’t completed just yet; as the remaining week will determine the players who sit out for injury (Matt Holliday is the player to watch here), because a pitcher stared in the game on the 12th, or any other reason. That being said, the rosters as of right now do look to be a pretty good compilation of players.
For all the complaining about the Royals team starting most of the All-Star Game over the last few weeks, it looks like people took my advice and voted to prevent it. Yes, four Royals are starting the game, but the four who are (Cain, Escobar, Gordon, and Perez) all appear to be pretty worthy of their spots. The AL filled in quite nicely, especially in the pitching department. Seven relief pitchers made the squad, which was surprising, but it could be an idea that pays off. By having so many relievers, it lowers the chances of replacing a pitcher who starts the game on the 12th.
The only pick I thought was odd was Brock Holt of the Red Sox. I know each team needs a representative, but Holt just didn’t seem to be the guy to go. Xander Bogaerts, who is on the Final Vote ballot, Hanly Ramirez, or Dustin Pedroia look to be the better options to represent the team right now in the ASG. If Bogaerts had been named to the team and Holt placed on the Final Vote ballot that would’ve made a little more sense. My biggest snub from the Final Vote ballot on the AL side is Hector Santiago. His season has been very strong for the middling Angels and the fact that he didn’t slide onto the roster surprises me, given the Angels overall pitching struggles by everyone else.
On the NL side, well some problems solved themselves. McCutchen is getting his starting slot due to the injury to Stanton (and Aoki) and another player might slide in there as well as everyone awaits word from Holliday. The biggest oddity to me for the NL, though, was DJ LeMahieu. Sure, he’s having himself a nice little season (.298 with 4 HRs and 38 RBIs) but there are two other second basemen that could’ve gone in that slot.
Dodgers Howie Kendrick is out performing him in those three categories and the Cardinals Kolten Wong surpasses LeMahieu in every offensive category sans stolen bases, average, and On-Base Percentage. LeMahieu isn’t the worst pick, but there just two others I expected to go over him. Of course, at least one slot could open up this week, that one depending on Holliday,
Final Vote: The players getting my vote for the last two slots are Yoenis Cespedes of the Tigers and Carlos Martinez of the Cardinals.
Up next: Coming next Monday: my One-Star Roster, a unique version of the All-Star roster will premier. It has a different rule, the rosters are smaller, and involves a best-of-three series simulated on MLB the Show. I originally said Saturday but the date had to be changed to accommodate the last few games before the All-Star Break. Sorry!
Cats In The Bleachers 