MLB All-Star Game: The case for each AL Final Vote candidate
By Tim Haberin
Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
The second of three shortstops on the AL ballot, Xander Bogaerts is also putting on a good show in the first half of 2017. The 24-year-old hasn’t quite matched his home run and RBI output from last year (21 HR and 89 RBI), but he’s still been plenty productive at the plate. He’s batting .314/.366/.455 with five homers and 39 RBI. Bogaerts’ 113 OPS+ would be a career high, edging last season’s mark of 110.
Like Andrus, Bogaerts is not a stranger to the Midsummer Classic, having made last year’s team for his first All-Star appearance. Since debuting in 2013, the Aruba native has lived up to his billing as the Red Sox shortstop of the future. Before last year’s power surge, Bogaerts enjoyed a career-high 4.6 bWAR in 2015 by slashing .320/.355/.421 with solid defense. He looks capable of putting together a similar campaign this season.
If you prefer players who hit for average, Bogaerts is probably your man (though the next candidate isn’t far behind in that category). If you dig the long ball, you’re likely looking elsewhere. Red Sox Nation is known to show up and represent, so Bogaerts could have a good shot at joining teammates Chris Sale, Mookie Betts and Craig Kimbrel in Miami.
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