Jun 4, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) watches batting practice before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Ned Yost will have one more player at his disposal on July 14.
I may or may not be in the minority, but I tend to enjoy the MLB All-Star Game Final Vote more than the standard voting process. The regular vote is introduced too early in the season and slips from your consciousness for long stretches over the months leading up to the game. The Final Vote is simple and straightforward: fans have only one week to get one more deserving player from each league into the Midsummer Classic.
There is a much greater sense of urgency and personal investment, especially if there is a candidate from your favorite team or one you felt was a particularly egregious snub. Teams have fun “campaigning” for their Final Vote representatives at the ballpark and on social media, with custom campaign buttons and hashtags to help support their guys. AL and NL fan bases often form alliances to help vote each other’s players into the game.
And with only five players from each league on the ballot vying for those final roster spots, it’s far easier to compare and debate who should get the nod. Let’s first take a closer look at the American League ASG Final Vote candidates and why each might have a convincing argument to secure your vote.
Fans can vote here at MLB.com as many times as they want until 4 pm EST on Friday, July 10.
Next: Xander Bogaerts
Xander Bogaerts – .302 BA, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 4 SB
Jul 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) throws a ball to first base during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Boston Red Sox won 12-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Former Red Sox top prospect Xander Bogaerts will hope to join utility man Brock Holt as Boston’s second representative at the Midsummer Classic. The young shortstop has done a fine job in a first half that has been a major disappointment in Beantown.
Bogaerts has appeared in nearly every game for the Red Sox, slashing .302/.339/.414 with three homers and 37 RBI in the process. After a middling first two months in which he hit .274, the 22-year-old put together a strong June, batting .312 on the month to solidify his All-Star Game case.
He currently finds himself among the league leaders at shortstop in a variety of categories: batting average (3rd), RBI (5th), runs (6th), and OPS (5th). On an All-Star roster already flush with young talent, why not continue the trend by sending the promising BoSox neophyte?
Next: Yoenis Cespedes
Yoenis Cespedes – .294 BA, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 3 SB
Jun 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits a single in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is off to a satisfying start in his first season in Detroit. Though his home run total still never seems to quite match the brute strength he displays at the plate, Cespedes continues to be a run-producing engine, having driven in 45 so far for the Tigers on the year.
This is shaping up to be one of Cespedes’ better years with the bat in general. His .294 average would be a career high, and his .809 OPS would be his best since his rookie season in Oakland. Though teammate and All-Star reserve J.D. Martinez may be grabbing all the headlines of late, Cespedes has played no small role in keeping the Tigers in the playoff hunt. He will be even more important now with Miguel Cabrera making his first-ever trip to the DL.
Of course, Cespedes is no stranger to the All-Star Game festivities, having won the last two Home Run Derby crowns. Shall he attempt a three-peat as an official member of the AL All-Star squad?
Next: Brian Dozier
Brian Dozier – .260 BA, 17 HR, 42 RBI, 7 SB
Jun 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) rounds second base after hitting a home run in the at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Dozier has been swinging a formidable bat for the Minnesota Twins in the first half of 2015, and his numbers are even more impressive when you take into account that he is a second basemen. Dozier leads all players at his position by a comfortable margin with 17 home runs and 42 RBI.
He also leads the majors with 63 runs scored for a surprisingly potent Twins team. The 28-year-old seems poised to shatter all of his career marks heading into the season’s second stage. In fact, it if weren’t for All-Star second basemen Jose Altuve and Jason Kipnis, Dozier would have probably received much more consideration for a spot on the roster.
Closer Glen Perkins is currently the only All-Star representative from the expectations-defying Twins, who are five games over .500 and firmly in the mix in the AL Central and Wild Card races. Sending Dozier would further recognize the club’s first half accomplishments while honoring a lesser-known name with his first All-Star appearance.
Next: Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner – .297 BA, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 15 SB
Jun 19, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) hits a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees are hoping fans will #VoteGardy to send Brett Gardner to the All-Star Game alongside teammates Mark Teixeira and Dellin Betances. In the absence of Jacoby Ellsbury, Gardner has been an absolute menace at the top of the Yankees lineup.
After hitting .252 in May, Gardner went on a tear to bring his average back up near .300. He hit .351 in June with five home runs and 18 RBI out of the leadoff spot. Not necessarily known for his power, the left-handed Gardner has perfected the art of turning around on inside pitches and belting them into the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. He clubbed a career-best 17 round-trippers last season and with nine homers to his name before the break, he may very well surpass that mark in 2015.
The speedy Gardner makes his presence known on the base paths as well. He has swiped 15 bags in 18 attempts this year, setting the table for the likes of Teixeira and Brian McCann. Gardner seems overdue for an All-Star nod, and this might be the season for him to get one.
Next: Mike Moustakas
Mike Moustakas – .301 BA, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 1 SB
Jul 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals third basemen Mike Moustakas (8) fields a ground ball against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
You didn’t think Major League Baseball was going to avoid putting a Royal on the Final Vote ballot, did you? Kansas City Royals fans will get one more chance to send yet another of their own to Cincinnati for the Midsummer Classic, potentially bringing the Kansas City delegation up to seven members.
Mike Moustakas was beat out at third base by the Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson, who ended up receiving the most votes ever on an All-Star Game ballot. While it is hard to argue with Donaldson’s MVP-level season, Moustakas has done a nice job in his own right.
After failing to live up to expectations for the most part during his first few seasons in Kansas City, Moose appears to have found his groove in 2015. He is slashing 301/.357/.436 on the year for a .793 OPS, which would easily be the best of his career. He has also added seven homers and 31 RBI to his account.
Who will win out in this final skirmish? Those pesky Royals fans, or the disapproving majority? We’ll soon find out on Friday, July 10 as the All-Star Game Final Vote winners are revealed.