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

With yesterday’s reveal of Call to the Pen’s NL All-Star team vote, today we’ll do the same for the host American League. Just a recap of how the voting was conducted.

Staff members of Call to the Pen were provided ballots. The ballots were strictly of the “write-in” variety. Writers could vote for any player at any position. They were not bound by the official ASG ballot as provided by MLB. Each writer could vote for only one player per position. Outfield was an exception where three players were named. The final results were simply based on the player(s) that received the most votes.

A total of a dozen ballots were submitted by the staff.

Unlike the vote in the National League, there were a couple of instances with the AL vote where a player’s position on the field versus that of the ballot may have come into play. I don’t think you would have to think too hard in order to come up with at least two such players.

As was the case for the NL squad, the AL team will also result in an actual ballot being cast on MLB.com. In fact, those already have been submitted.

Here’s our American League All-Star team selections.

All stats used are as of the end of games played on Saturday, June 28th.

Jun 25, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a sacrifice fly in the first inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

First base: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
2014 stats: .315/.369/.540, 13 HR, 64 RBI, 46 R, 0 SB

When was the last time you mentioned Cabrera and AL first basemen and he was leading them in only one stat? That would be batting average. Well, he does share the top spot in fWAR (2.9) with Edwin Encarnacion. He also sits second in RBI, one behind, you guessed it, Encarnacion.

The final voting:
Cabrera, DET: 6
Abreu, CWS: 5
Encarnacion, TOR: 1

This vote wasn’t decided until the last ballot was cast…and Cabrera received that vote. In fact, Cabrera was trailing until the last two ballots were submitted. Miggy, the two-time defending AL MVP, was chased by Chicago White Sox rookie phenom Jose Abreu. Encarnacion may have been the victim of not knowing which position in which to vote for him. On the official MLB ballot, he’s listed with the DHs.

Another selection would give Cabrera a total of nine.

Jun 22, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a RBI single during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Second base: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
2014 stats: .343/.383/.447, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 40 R, 34 SB

The selection of the diminutive Altuve might be a surprise to some. It shouldn’t be.

Altuve leads all AL second basemen in hits (113), stolen bases, and batting average. His 113 hits leads not only the AL, but all of baseball. His 34 thefts ties him with Cincinnati’s Billy Hamilton for second in MLB, but that number is tops in the AL. And his .343 batting average is topped only by Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki.

Yes, he’s having a pretty good season for the Astros.

The final tally:
Altuve, HOU: 5
Brian Dozier, MIN: 3
Robinson Cano, SEA: 3
Ian Kinsler, DET: 1

Sure, the other three receiving votes would have been solid selections, but can you overlook what Altuve has done? The “rise” of the Astros (and proclaimed as 2017 champs by Sports Illustrated) is a nice story. Altuve is instrumental in that.

Should Altuve be selected, this would be his second. He was part of the NL squad in 2012.

Jun 27, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) connects for an RBI triple during the fifth inning against the at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Third base: Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
2014 stats: .250/.331/.472, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 55 R, 3 SB

When you see the results, you will be shocked at the margin in which Donaldson won this vote.

Among all qualified AL third basemen, Donaldson takes the top spot in home runs, RBI, and runs scored. Not surprising considering the amount of offense the A’s (yes, the A’s who lead the AL in runs per game) have been producing. He’s third in wOBA (.350) and wRC+ (125). His fWAR of 3.6 also leads the way for the position.

The voting went as follows:
Donaldson, OAK: 10
Yangervis Solarte, NYY: 1
Adrian Beltre, TEX: 1

Beltre supporters would have the biggest beef here. It’s a legit one, too. Beltre leads AL third basemen in all the triple slash categories. And I’m surprised that Seattle’s Kyle Seager didn’t snag at least one vote. He’s also ahead of Donaldson in the slashline stats.

Donaldson would also be in his first All-Star Game if selected.

Jun 10, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris (36) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher: Derek Norris, Oakland Athletics
2014 stats: .304/.406/.509, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 25 R, 2 SB

Although Norris does have enough at-bats to qualify as leading any offensive categories, he still ranks toward the top 3 in many stats as compared to other AL catchers. He is atop the AL backstops in batting average, OBP, slugging, wOBA (.401), and wRC+ (160).

And yes, Norris is heavily involved in the offensive output coming from Oakland.

His 35 RBI is second only to New York’s Brian McCann.

And the staff vote was:
Norris, OAK: 6
Perez, KC: 3
Yan Gomes, CLE: 1
McCann, NYY: 1
Kurt Suzuki, MIN: 1

The biggest pursuer of Norris was KC’s Salvador Perez. I’m not one to outwardly question anyone’s vote, but I’m still scratching my head over Brian McCann getting a vote, leading the position in RBI or not.

Like his Oakland teammate Josh Donaldson, Norris would be making his ASG debut if selected.

Jun 26, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) hits a single in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Designated hitter: Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
2014 stats: .323/.383/.592, 20 HR, 52 RBI, 42 R, 2 SB

Many pundits wondered if VMart could step as the Tigers cleanup hitter with the departure of Prince Fielder. He’s answered that with a resounding “yes, yes, yes” (ala Daniel Bryant).

When comparing his numbers, you don’t only look at how Martinez stacks up against other DHs, but all of the American League. Let’s see. Fourth in batting average, seventh in OBP, fourth in SLG, and second in OPS. I’d say that’s solid.

Now throw in that Martinez is fourth in home runs. And while this isn’t something that qualifies as a reason for making an All-Star team, how about having struckout only 22 times?

The voting results:
Martinez, DET: 5
Cruz, BAL: 3
Encarnacion, TOR: 2
Brandon Moss, OAK: 2

Again we see where not binding the staff to the official ballot may have come into play here. As already noted, Encarnacion was on the official ballot as a DH as was Cruz, but Cruz has played a lot in left field for the Orioles, this possibly taking votes away here.

2014 would be the fifth ASG for Martinez should he be chosen. It would be his first as a member of the Tigers.

May 18, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) at the plate in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
2014 stats: .312/.403/.611, 18 HR, 59 RBI, 53 R, 10 SB

What down year? So the steals are down from what we’re used to seeing. And the strikeouts have ramped up a fair amount. Even with those “holes”, Trout still is among the AL leaders in a number of statistical categories.

He’s eighth in batting average, second in OBP and slugging, and tops in OPS. Not to mention he’s fifth in round trippers, third in total bases, and, well, you get the picture.

Although it is odd not seeing him among the AL’s top ten in steals.

Being voted in – as that seems that will be the case – will mark Trout’s third ASG nod, all in his first three seasons.

Jun 8, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) gets ready to hit in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre. The St. Louis Cardinals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
2014 stats: .305/.433/.526, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 54 R, 3 SB

Joey Bats is atop the AL OF pack in OBP, second in slugging to Trout (third if you throw in Nelson Cruz‘s numbers here), and tied for fifth in batting average. The Blue Jays haven’t had to lean on him as heavily as they did in the past, but he stills has posted some impressive numbers.

Bautista is also the AL captain for the Home Run Derby.

It appears Bautista will be voted in by the fans, thus marking his fifth selection. Those five have come in consecutive years.

Jun 15, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits a home run against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
2014 stats: .321/.387/.515, 12 HR, 53 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB

This might be the surprise of the three (maybe the entire vote), but don’t think for a second that Brantley is not worthy. Brantley leads all qualified AL OFers in batting average, and his OBP is third only to the previous duo of Trout and Bautista. Same to be said of his wRC+ of 157.

Brantley would be making his All-Star Game debut should he be selected as a reserve. Well, provided a HUGE push doesn’t see him be among the top three vote-getters.

The outfield voting…
Trout, LAA: 12
Bautista, TOR: 6
Brantley, CLE: 6
Alex Gordon, KC: 4
Cruz, BAL: 3
Yoenis Cespedes, OAK: 2
Alex Rios, TEX: 1
Coco Crisp, OAK: 1
Brett Gardner, NYY: 1

Trout was the only AL player named on all 12 ballots. Cruz is likely a victim of positional placement. I don’t think anyone can argue against the three selected though. Maybe Cruz, but he’ll be in Minnesota as the AL’s DH, so I suppose all’s well.