MLB All-Star Game
AL Top Nine
Mike Trout, Austin Meadows, George Springer, Joey Gallo, Trey Mancini, Michael Brantley, Alex Gordon, Max Kepler, Byron Buxton
Should: Mike Trout, Austin Meadows, George Springer
Will: Mike Trout, George Springer, Joey Gallo
Honestly, Meadows and Gallo are interchangeable on both fronts. Each has a great story in terms of how well they have played this year and how much they have improved from the previous season.
Based on voting and statistics, Trout and Springer are the most likely locks, but the battle will be heated between Gallo and Meadows.
Meadows, had an excellent April that has propelled him through May now into June. He sports a .345 average, 12 homers, 38 RBI and a 1.051 OPS.
Gallo had retooled his swing and has become more than just the homerun, walk or strikeout. He’s holding his best average at .276 with 17 homers and 41 RBI. Plus he has an AL-leading 1.074 OPS.
You guys can be your own judge on those two, but with Gallo’s national recognition – mostly because of the popular video game MLB The Show – he will likely see his first all-star appearance come July.
MLB All-Star Game
NL Top Nine
Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Charlie Blackmon, Juan Soto, David Dahl, David Peralta, Ronald Acuna Jr., Michael Conforto, Bryce Harper
Should: Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, Juan Soto
Will: Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, Charlie Blackmon
Like with Springer and Trout, Yelich and Bellinger are automatic in this category. You want to know more about them, read my story on determining which of them is the better player.
So now the debate rests between Soto – Harper’s replacement – or Blackmon – lovably known as Chuck Nazty.
Both are equally qualified, with the only knock against Blackmon being his injury during last month.
Soto currently is hitting .289 with 10 homers and 38 RBI and a .910 OPS.
Blackmon on the other hand went into the injury with a .300 average, 10 homers, 38 RBI and a .921 OPS.
Blackmon has played in three all-star games already while Soto would make his first should he get voted in.
Blackmon has equally as fair statistics while additionally having the recognition. Hence, he could be starting this one.