NL All-Star Final Vote: A case for each candidate
Jun 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy before the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
One more player will round out Bruce Bochy’s squad.
After reviewing the MLB All-Star Game Final Vote ballot for the American League, we will now do the same for the National League. Of the five candidates competing for the last spot on the NL roster, four are pitchers. That’s almost the complete opposite of the AL, whose Final Vote field is comprised entirely of position players.
Odds are NL All-Star manager Bruce Bochy will have another hurler added to his staff, unless the supporters of a certain Colorado shortstop have their say. But regardless of position, each player on this list has had an ASG-worthy first half and can make a strong case for that last-chance place on the roster.
Fans can vote here at MLB.com as many times as they want until 4 pm EST on Friday, July 10. The floodgates will really open in the six hours leading up to the deadline, when Tweets containing each candidate’s unique hashtag will also count as votes.
Next: Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto – 6-5, 2.61 ERA, 113.2 IP, 111 K
Apr 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Trade rumors did little to deter Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto from putting together a typically great first half in 2015. He has been a workhorse for the Reds rotation, averaging over seven innings pitched per start.
He also gave his argument a massive boost last night by turning in a masterful performance in Washington. Cueto tossed a complete game shutout, holding the Nationals to only two hits on the evening. He also struck out 11 and walked only one. Reds fans will hope the dominant showing compels voters to send another hometown star to the game alongside starting third baseman Todd Frazier and closer Aroldis Chapman.
Cueto’s situation has an unusual wrinkle, however. He is currently in line to start this Sunday, the final day before the break, which would make him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game itself. Unless the Reds alter his schedule, winning the Final Vote could mean only an honorary ASG selection for Cueto. Another player (maybe even one on this ballot) would presumably take his spot in a two-for-one deal.
Next: Jeurys Familia
Jeurys Familia – 23 SV, 1.13 ERA, 39.2 IP, 41 K
Apr 22, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) reacts to the win against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. New York Mets won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets‘ season got off to an inauspicious start when last year’s closer Jenrry Mejia was slapped with an 80-game suspension for PED use in early April. Fortunately for the blue and orange, Jeurys Familia stepped into the role and flourished.
The 25-year-old has been a force in the ninth inning, allowing 23 hits and just five earned runs in 39.2 innings of work. The righty has also fanned 41 batters in that span. His 23 saves (out of 25 opportunities) are good for sixth in all of baseall.
On a Mets team that really struggles to put runs on the board (28th out of 30 teams, to be precise), Familia’s consistent ability to protect small leads and close out victories has been invaluable. And even with Mejia set to return, there is no reason to think Familia will be relinquishing the closer’s job anytime soon.
Next: Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw – 5-6, 3.08 ERA, 114 IP, 147 K
Jul 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
After being an All-Star shoe-in the last several years, Clayton Kershaw now finds himself in unfamiliar territory, needing a Final Vote assist to earn his fifth consecutive ASG appearance. Kershaw hasn’t always been his dominant self in 2015, however.
He seemed to lack sharpness over his first several starts and sported an uncharacteristically high 3.86 ERA at the end of May. Kershaw has done his best to get back on track recently, and since June 1 he has posted a 2.03 ERA, allowing 31 hits in 48.2 innings while striking out 64.
It appears a safe bet that Kershaw will continue his resurgence into the second half and bring his numbers more in line with his career averages. But has he done enough to convince fans that he deserves a spot in this year’s Midsummer Classic? With four players heading to Cincinatti, the Dodgers don’t lack for representation, but the voters will decide.
Next: Carlos Martinez
Carlos Martinez – 9-3, 2.70 ERA, 100 IP, 105 K
Jun 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (18) follows through on a pitch in the seventh inning of a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. The Cardinals won 4-3.Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
It has certainly been a year for young talent, and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez will try to add a little more to the mix at the All-Star Game. In his first year as a full-time starter, the 23-year-old has proved a rock-solid component of the Redbirds’ rotation.
Martinez really started hitting his stride around mid-May. In ten starts since May 15, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all but one. And despite serving chiefly as a reliever in the past, he has been able to give the Cards innings, averaging just over six frames per start.
On a St. Louis squad comfortably in control of the NL Central, Martinez has collected nine wins, only one fewer than Michael Wacha for the team lead. He is also tied with Wacha and shortstop Jhonny Peralta (both 2015 All-Stars) with a club-best 2.5 WAR. The future certainly looks bright for Martinez, and it could look a little brighter with a Final Vote-stamped ticket to Cincinnati.
Next: Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Tulowitzki – .320 BA, 9 HR, 45 RBI
Jun 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) prepares to bat in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The sole position player on the ballot, Troy Tulowitzki overcame a multitude of uncertainties concerning everything from his health to his future in Colorado to enjoy a strong first half. Despite making the All-Star team four of the last five seasons, Tulo has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including last year when he was limited to 91 games. He has remained DL-free in 2015, much to the relief of the Rockies and their fans.
Usually a strong candidate to hit safely over .300 when he is on the field, Tulowitzki currently boasts a .320 average on the year. That mark is fourth-best in the National League. Tulo will definitely have his work cut out for him if he wants to secure his first batting title (Paul Goldschmidt leads the pack at .351), but he’s moving in the right direction, having hit .381 in June.
Players who make their home at Coors Field often have their offensive numbers questioned, but Tulowitzki is batting a very robust .299 on the road this year (he hit .257 as a visitor last season). His infield mates DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado are already on the All-Star roster as reserves. Tulowitzki can join their ranks if enough fans acknowledge his healthy, productive performance over the first three months of 2015.