All-Star Game spotlight focusing on rookies
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is among the big names who have undoubtedly secured their All-Star Game spots. But there’s a logjam at the corners in the National League, and both rosters are smaller.
Time to pick players for the All-Star Game and make those close calls.
Yankees rookie Aaron Judge and Washington slugger Bryce Harper are among the big names who have undoubtedly secured their spots in Miami on July 11. But there’s a logjam at the corners in the National League, and both rosters are smaller now that the Midsummer Classic no longer determines where the World Series begins.
“I’m OK with this,” Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “When you’re combining the attempt to play everybody and win the game for the sake of the National League so you get home-field advantage, there’s a lot going on.”
Online voting for the starters ended at midnight Thursday, so let’s take a swing at sorting it all out: ignoring fan and player balloting. Simply our choices.
Both teams get 32 players, including 12 pitchers. That’s down from 34 last year, with at least 13 pitchers. But all 30 clubs still must be represented, and that’s where it really gets tricky.
For the purpose of these selections, we eliminated players expected to remain on the disabled list through Sunday night, when the rosters will be revealed. That means stars like Mike Trout and Dallas Keuchel, who were having All-Star seasons before they got injured, were left out because it’s unclear if they’ll be healthy enough to participate at Marlins Park.
Banged-up players on the cusp of returning to action within a few days were given full consideration.
Maddon will manage the NL squad after guiding the Cubs to a World Series title last season. Cleveland skipper Terry Francona runs the American League team.
Here we go:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
FIRST BASE: The stunning starter is Toronto switch-hitter Justin Smoak, followed closely by another unexpected newcomer: Tampa Bay’s Logan Morrison. Yonder Alonso represents last-place Oakland. SECOND BASE: Little big man Jose Altuve is a huge reason Houston has been the best team in baseball most of the year. His backups are Baltimore’s Jonathan Schoop and Seattle star Robinson Cano. SHORTSTOP: Carlos Correa makes it an all Astros double-play combination. Smooth-fielding Andrelton Simmons of the Angels is on the bench. THIRD BASE: More surprises here, with Cleveland up-and-comer Jose Ramirez getting the start over Minnesota bopper Miguel Sano. CATCHER: Steady backstop Salvador Perez of the Royals receives his fifth straight nod. Young slugger Gary Sanchez from the Yankees gets his first. OUTFIELD: Leading off, instant power from George Springer of the Astros. He starts in center field, with the towering Judge in right and Chicago first-timer Avisail Garcia shifting to left. The reserves are Boston’s Mookie Betts, Detroit’s Justin Upton and Kansas City’s Lorenzo Cain. DESIGNATED HITTER: Corey Dickerson of the Rays hits his way to a surprising spot in the lineup. Mariners thumper Nelson Cruz also gets a call. STARTING PITCHERS: Chris Sale claims starting honors in his debut season with the Red Sox. The other lefty is Jason Vargas, enjoying quite a comeback with the Royals. Dealing from the right side are Houston first-timer Lance McCullers Jr., Minnesota veteran Ervin Santana, Texas ace Yu Darvish, reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer from Detroit, and Cleveland teammates Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman was a tough omission. RELIEVERS: Boston flamethrower Craig Kimbrel anchors a bullpen that also features Indians lefty Andrew Miller, Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna and Houston setup man Chris Devenski.