MLB’s easy calls as first-time All-Stars
Come Sunday, Major League Baseball will welcome a dozen or more firsttimers into the All-Star fraternity when rosters are revealed for the July 17 game in Washington.
A look at several of the most intriguing first-timers in the bunch:
Alex Bregman, Astros
Why he'll make it: While he won't catch the Indians' Jose Ramirez in fan balloting, Bregman, 24, is a shoo-in as a player-voted or league-selected reserve. His .900 on base plus slugging (OPS) trails only Ramirez among AL third basemen and his 16 homers are tied for second.
Fun factor: Significant. Bregman's high-energy game is infectious and, as he showed in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series, his penchant for the big moment is significant.
Trevor Bauer, Indians
Why he'll make it: Fifth in the AL in ERA (2.45), 10th in WHIP (1.09), third in strikeouts (156). Objectively filthy.
Fun factor: Mixed. All-Star media day will be a hoot with Bauer, so unfiltered that he probably doesn't even use Brita products for his drinking water. Alas, Bauer is lined up to start the final Sunday before the All-Star Game, so he'll likely forgo the national platform for his nasty pitch repertoire.
Javy Baez, Cubs
Why he'll make it: OK, so we're sticking our neck out here - Baez could get caught in a numbers game on the NL roster. Ozzie Albies is the likely fans' choice to start at second base, while Scooter Gennett - perhaps the best and lone Reds player on the roster - is more deserving, batting a league-leading .331 while putting up a better OPS (.898 to .876) than Baez.
Fun factor: Are you kidding? The man is called El Mago, and if you don't know how he earned that moniker or what it means, Google around or invest in Rosetta Stone.
Edwin Diaz, Mariners
Why he'll make it: His 33 saves are seven more than anyone in baseball, paired with 72 strikeouts in 45 innings. If the season ended in July - and it does not - Diaz would surely garner some down-ballot love in MVP voting.
Fun factor: Decent. Diaz's disappearing slider is a sight to behold, and with fellow Puerto Ricans Francisco Lindor, Jose Berrios and Baez likely bound for Washington, the proceedings could use a jolt from an impromptu Team Rubio reunion from the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Why he'll make it: No reliever is as tough on right-handed hitters as Yates, who has held them to six singles in 71 at-bats - an .085 batting average. Overall, he has a 0.79 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP and a 503 ERA-plus, which seems illegal, even for a reliever.
Fun factor: Solid. With Shane Victorino retired, the Kauai-born Yates now takes the mantle for ballplayers from our 50th state. And tales of journeymen relievers who suddenly find the spotlight never get old.