Pederson popular with All-Star voters
ATLANTA — None of the players from the San Francisco Giants’ 107-win 2021 season is among the top names in the All-Star voting released Tuesday, but 2022 addition Joc Pederson is currently in one of the National League’s starting outfield spots.
Pederson, who made a big splash Monday in his return to Atlanta, received 630,584 votes in the first tally. He hit his team-leading 15th homer of the season in the seventh inning Tuesday and has been a member of the past two World Series title teams, the Braves and Dodgers.
In his first full season in the majors, 2015, Pederson was an All-Star with the Dodgers, and the game is at Los Angeles on July 19. Pederson said that being back at Dodger Stadium, if he’s on the NL team, won’t be that weird. After all, he has been there as a member of the Giants, which is more unusual for him and means a dugout and clubhouse change.
“When I came over here, it felt a lot stranger just because it’s just more recent, playing games on the other side,” he said.
Manager Gabe Kapler, who also worked in the Los Angeles organization, likes the link there if Pederson is on the team. “First, Joc is quite deserving,” he said. “I’m glad he’s getting the type of support that we think he deserves and that might put him into the mix to be an All-Star starter. It’s also kind of cool that the game will be played in L.A. and a lot of fans would enjoy that.”
No other Giants player is higher than seventh in voting; Evan Longoria is seventh among NL third basemen, with 83,467, with Manny Machado of the Padres the leader at the position. Brandon Crawford, an MVP candidate last year, is eighth among NL shortstops, with 100,990; Trea Turner of the Dodgers leads with 811,839.
Pitchers are selected by MLB, and Kapler said that he believes Giants starters Carlos Rodón, a 2021 All-Star with the White Sox, and Logan Webb deserve consideration. “These are guys who have been very consistent, great major-league pitchers,” Kapler said.
The top overall vote leader in the National League is Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts (1,446,050). Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who is from Linden (San Joaquin County), tops the majors with 1,512,368.
Ballots are available at MLB.com and on the MLB app. Phase 1 ends June 30, when the top two at each position (and top six outfielders in each league) will be announced.
Álvarez to IL: The Giants placed left-handed reliever José Álvarez on the injured list with lower back tightness. Álvarez felt the issue after the flight from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, Kapler said. The move allowed the Giants to return starter Anthony DeSclafani to the active roster . ... Right-hander Sam Delaplane was recalled from a rehab assignment and placed on the 60-day IL with a right forearm strain.