Call to the Pen’s National League All-Star team

Jun 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits an RBI single during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

First base: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2014 stats: .299/.382/.534, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 58 R, 7 SB

Last year’s runner-up in the NL MVP voting, Goldschmidt has more than validated his 2013 season. Among all qualified NL first basemen, Goldschmidt ranks 4th in batting average, OBP, and wRC+ (148). He sits atop his fellow first basemen in SLG. And those 7 steals are also tops. That one stat might have surprised you a little.

As you would expect, Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs gave Goldy a run for his money. Until the last ballot was cast, there was the potential for a tie. That would have happened had Rizzo snagged it.

Rizzo does hold a slight edge in fWAR (3.0 to 2.9) over Goldschmidt. I don’t think either Goldschmidt or Rizzo could be considered a bad vote.

The voting results:
Goldschmidt, ARI: 6
Rizzo, CHC: 4
Matt Adams, STL: 1
Freddie Freeman, ATL: 1

All of the four receiving votes could claim they should be chosen to represnt his respective team. And there are couple of other first basemen who didn’t receive any votes that could make that claim as well. Colorado’s Justin Morneau and Washington’s Adam LaRoche are also having fine offensive seasons.

Should Goldschmidt be at Target Field, it will be his second consecutive (and second overall) ASG selection.