Houston Astros: Two players as possible All-Star snubs?
The Houston Astros are represented well in this year’s Midsummer Classic. Yet, even with five players in the game, two more could have been included. However, it’s unsure whether they were considered significant snubs.
A handful of Houston Astros are heading to the All-Star Game this season. Five players from the reigning World Series champs earned spots on the current roster.
But that doesn’t mean all five will be there. It also means more Houston players might be in Washington by next week.
Only the Indians listed more players on either of the two rosters compared to the Astros. Of course, that doesn’t include any team’s Final Vote participants.
Jose Altuve receive the spotlight after he became the first Astros player to receive the most van votes. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman got his first All-Star appearance thanks to his torrid stretch across the past two months.
All five of the current participants earned their way into the Midsummer Classic.
This is the third time the #Astros have had five or more players selected for the All-Star Game. Had six last year.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) July 9, 2018
Justin Verlander was arguably the best AL starter during the first half, while Gerrit Cole owns career-best numbers. He also exhibited why he deserves a spot Monday when he whiffed more than 10 Athletics players.
Of the nominees, Springer is the only one with a debatable resumé from this season. However, that’s only because he’s been in a slump for the past few weeks.
George Springer, outfielder, second appearance
Jose Altuve, second baseman (starting), sixth appearance
Justin Verlander, starting pitcher, seventh appearance
Gerrit Cole, starting pitcher, second appearance
Alex Bregman, third baseman, first appearance
But there is an argument to be made for a few Houston players that were snubbed in Charlie Morton and Collin McHugh. Though they have less of an argument than Rays pitcher Blake Snell, it’s reasonable.
Thus, it’s likely that at least one of the two will participate in the game solely because of how the rosters are set up. Pitchers frequently miss out because they have to pitch a few days before – Verlander’s case. Injuries also play a role.
Nevertheless, both Morton and McHugh could have initially made it if the “one person per one team” rule was nonexistent.
Still looking for that first All-Star appearance
Morton made headlines frequently last season because of his newfound success. And it was somewhat surprising to not see him pitch in the All-Star Game last summer.
It’s the same case this year, especially considering his numbers look stronger. Morton owns what would be a career-best ERA at 2.83 while punching out more than 11 players per nine innings.
He ranks among the top 10 in ERA and strikeouts in the AL. The veteran ranks 12 in WHIP among the same group. Sure, Snell surely deserves a spot over Morton. Yet the right-hander is likely next in line.
Astros fans might point at J.A. Happ and Jose Berrios to be replaced. Happ ranks 33rd in the AL in ERA despite a solid 1.18 WHIP. On the other hand, Berrios sports decent numbers and a higher WAR than Morton.
Nevertheless, both are the lone representative for their respective clubs so far.
The current voting rules are controversial. And the All-Star rosters don’t necessarily reflect the best or most-deserving players in the league thus far.
Morton is just one example of that.
However, Morton already has a World Series title under his belt – one he played a major role in. Even if he is never legitimately dubbed an All-Star, he has that.
But it would be a tragedy if the Houston pitcher continued to dominate this much within the AL and not be rewarded for it. And at 34, he’s running out of time.
No love for relievers
Astros pitching coach Brent Strom truly is a wizard.
Most pitchers currently on the team’s pitching staff didn’t unleash their full potential before working with him. McHugh worked with him as a starting pitcher and showed flashes of
More from Houston Astros
- Julio Rodriguez doing it all for Mariners, including playing peacemaker against Astros
- MLB Trade Deadline: AL West roundup with Rangers, Angels, Astros wishlist, A’s and Mariners for sale
- Grading Dana Brown and the Houston Astros front office at the season’s midway point
- Houston Astros: Houston, we have a Martin Maldonado problem
- Stock Up, Stock Down: Red Sox, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Astros
excellence.
But as a relief pitcher, the right-hander looks much more commanding. His stuff seems more perplexing. Numbers prove that.
Prior to this season, the Houston hurler never eclipsed more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings. Yet he whiffs on average 11.8 in that span.
Moreover, his hit rate decreased dramatically throughout the past year. And he surrenders fewer walks and home runs. Overall, hist WHIP ranks first among AL pitchers with more than 40 innings pitched.
Also, his ERA ranks second amongst the same group, behind Oakland closer Blake Treinen. Both have relinquished just four runs this season.
Just five relievers are currently on the All-Star roster. Joe Jimenez seems like the odd man out in the bullpen, though he enjoyed a great first half. McHugh might have been the next guy in line had he not been placed on the team.
Darn, that one man per team rule again.
I’M ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE.... SO LISTEN UP.... IF @Collin_McHugh ISN’T IN THE 2018 ALL-STAR GAME... THEN CANCEL THE GAME... IDC ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE BEST PERFOMERS EARNING THEIR #ASG NOD AND HE DESERVES IT x1000 @MLB @astros #asgworthy pic.twitter.com/LucGM4V426
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@lmccullers43) June 30, 2018
Nevertheless, Astros players did what they could to get McHugh elected onto the squad. Lance McCullers Jr. posted on social media to campaign for his teammate. Meanwhile, even Joe Musgrove – on the Pirates now – expressed his support for the now-reliever.
Aroldis Chapman injured his knee recently, meaning a spot should open up for McHugh. Unless another starting pitcher replaces him, it seems that the 31-year-old has the green light.
Next: J.T. Realmuto is the perfect trade target
Hopefully, that will be the case. At least, fans won’t be disappointed to see more Astros on the stacked squad next week.