Prediction for Fan Vote Under Proposed Change in All Star Voting Format
Earlier today, I published a proposal to change the way the fans vote for the All Star Game. To show how this may work, here is my best guess on how the fans may vote based upon if fans were voting today:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL East
Baltimore Orioles – Manny Machado 3B
Boston Red Sox – David Ortiz DH
Toronto Blue Jays – Josh Donaldson 3B
Tampa Bay Rays – Kevin Kiermaier CF
New York Yankees – Dellin Betances RP
AL Central
Chicago White Sox – Chris Sale SP
Kansas City Royals – Alex Gordon LF
Cleveland Indians – Francisco Lindor SS
Detroit Tigers – J.D. Martinez RF
Minnesota Twins – Joe Mauer 1B
AL West
Oakland Athletics – Sonny Gray SP
Texas Rangers – Adrian Beltre 3B
Seattle Mariners – Felix Hernandez SP
Los Angels Angels of Anaheim – Mike Trout CF
Houston Astros – Jose Altuve 2B
Now, as the season progresses and players improve, we could see changes here and there like Miguel Cabrera in place of J.D. Martinez. Overall, this looks to be a fair projection. Of the 15 players selected, there were three starting pitchers, one reliever, no catchers, one first baseman, one second baseman, three third baseman, one shortstop, one left fielder, two centerfielders, one rightfielder, and a DH. With nineteen spots left, there is plenty of room left to assemble a complete All Star Game roster.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NL East
Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper RF
New York Mets – Noah Syndergaard SP
Philadelphia Phillies – Vincent Velasquez SP
Miami Marlins – Giancarlo Stanton RF
Atlanta Braves – Freddie Freeman (?) 1B
NL Central
Chicago Cubs – Anthony Rizzo 1B
St. Louis Cardinals – Yadier Molina C
Pittsburgh Pirates – Starling Marte LF
Cincinnati Reds – Zack Cozart SS
Milwaukee Brewers – Ryan Braun LF
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw SP
Arizona Diamondbacks – Paul Goldschmidt 1B
Colorado Rockies – Nolan Arenado 3B
San Francisco Giants – Buster Posey C
San Diego Padres – Melvin Upton, Jr. LF
In total, the National League would have three starters, no relievers, two catchers, three first basemen, no second basemen, one third baseman, one shortstop, three left fielders, no centerfielders, and two rightfielders. Again, there’s plenty of room to fill in the rest of the roster.
OVERALL
By no means should my choices here be interpreted as the final say or who I would vote for if these rules were adapted. It’s only a guess.
With that said, there are some young and exciting players here like Syndergaard and Lindor. There are bona five superstars like Harper and Trout (who also qualify as young and exciting). Also, there are players here like Freeman and Velasquez, who may not be chosen to an All Star Game, but nevertheless, they would be there because every team must be represented. Look, if you’re going to name someone to the All Star Game who wouldn’t be there but for one rule, you might as well let those fans pick the players.
At the end of the day, these are mostly deserving All Stars, and their inclusion would not hamper Ned Yost’s or Terry Collins’ ability to field a team. It’s time to let fans pick their own players.