My Annual Prediction of the All-Star rosters

[alexs64]

My opinion is not biased when I say Ethier should have made the list. Starter or not. I not biased because he has been putting up the numbers while Matt has been on the DL. As an everyday player, I would say he is the #2 guy on the Dodgers with #3 going to Kershaw. Again, not a biased vote, if he weren't putting up numbers I would have to agree with you.


EDIT: 1 RBI in his first at bat tonight. LOL

 

[showoff]

I am actually laughing that Lucroy isnt on it but at least the managers pick the players....

 

[schmidtfan20]

Chooch>Molina

 

[longbomberz]

Jake Peavy has had a couple rough starts recently that have inflated his ERA to 3.07, but he still has a 64/12 K/BB in 70.1 IP with a .92 WHIP. I think he has to be in the mix as well.

 

[markakis8]

Sorry, Ellis has Molina, Chooch, McCann, and then Lucroy in front of him. He has no shot.

 

[markakis8]

Two Nats to consider aside from Zimmerman, who has struggled this year: SS Ian Desmond (~.275 and 8 HRs) and 1B Adam LaRoche (.285, 8 HRs, 35 RBIs, Gold Glove level fielding at 1B). WIth losing Mike Morse, Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos this year, Desmond and LaRoche have carried the Nats' offense. LaRoche especially deserves consideration with a thinner-than-usual field at first base (definitely more than Freeman imo).

Bullpen suggestions: Tyler Clippard (2.91 in 22 games), who was the Nats' lone rep last year and is probably the best 8th inning guy in the league, and Craig Stammen (1.42 in 18 appearances).

I'll also second the suggestion of RA Dickey. 7-1 is hard to ignore, and there's nothing to think that he'll go 0-4 in his next five starts...

If LaRussa takes a 3rd SS, I could see Desmond going. LaRoche is slumping and will continue to teeter off and will not make it. Stammen has been awesome but I just don't see many middle relief guys making it, especially when there have been a plethora of great ones this year. You have to COMPLETELY dominate a la David Robertson and Venters last year to make it.

 

[markakis8]

Jake Peavy has had a couple rough starts recently that have inflated his ERA to 3.07, but he still has a 64/12 K/BB in 70.1 IP with a .92 WHIP. I think he has to be in the mix as well.

As strong as the SP is in both leagues, he'll have to throw a couple shutouts to make the roster and I don't see him doing. Besides, he's not even the best SP on this own team.

 

[markakis8]

My opinion is not biased when I say Ethier should have made the list. Starter or not. I not biased because he has been putting up the numbers while Matt has been on the DL. As an everyday player, I would say he is the #2 guy on the Dodgers with #3 going to Kershaw. Again, not a biased vote, if he weren't putting up numbers I would have to agree with you.


EDIT: 1 RBI in his first at bat tonight. LOL

Ethier is notorious for starting off hot and fading away by mid season to season's end. I fully expect him to do that again this year. Add that to the fact that the there will be a team or two (like the Dbacks) that need a rep and it's like to come from the OF position, I don't see Andre making it. Just my prediction. I've been wrong many times before.

 

[markakis8]

Agreed. There's a huge difference in should and will start. That's why there will be more Yankees than just Jeter and Cano starting.

I do not see anybody on the Yankees starting besides Jeter and Cano. There are more popular players at the other positions. Yankees do not have the "star" power they did 5-6 years ago.

 

[markakis8]

I am actually laughing that Lucroy isnt on it but at least the managers pick the players....

It's possible he could make it. Ruiz has been better and McCann is a midsummer favorite. But the Brewers haven't been good and Braun is a lock to make the team and Greinke might make it as well. I do not see the Brewers having more than two reps. Lucroy could be a come July.

 

[markakis8]

Chris Sale?

Chris Sale, 6-2, 2.34 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 61 K/16 BB, 57.2 IP
Steven Strasburg, 5-1, 2.64 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 70 K/17 BB, 58.0 IP

I'd say comparable starts and Sale is younger

Sure you have an easy argument after the game he had last night, LOL

When I posted this list his stats were 5-2 with an ERA of 2.50 and only 46 K's.

I'll stick with my other options. Would not surprise me if he made it though.

 

[alexs64]

Lucroy is kind of out for a while....Just saying.

 

[markakis8]

Lucroy is kind of out for a while....Just saying.

Was just thinking the same thing. Looks like Chooch is a lock now. Prolly McCann as well. Still no Ellis, I don't think.

 

[markakis8]

Intresting Ellis doesn't have any cards yet and he's appeared in Dodgers games since 2008. Contract issue?

 

[LazerShow15]

Don't sleep on Jonathan Lucroy to bump McCann or Ruiz. Between him, Ruiz, McCann and Molina, the NL has some tough decisions at catcher. He could win the "Fan Vote" like Hart did a few years ago.

Oh I wouldn't sleep if I was Jonathan, especially if his wife is in the roof. Bobbit next?

 

[TenaciousJDD]

Intresting Ellis doesn't have any cards yet and he's appeared in Dodgers games since 2008. Contract issue?

I may be wrong (because I have no information to back this up), but I don't believe it was a contract issue. If it it was it has finally been worked out because he is on the preliminary checklist for 2012 Topps Update. I really think it can mostly be attributed to him never being a "name" prospect. Tim Federowicz only had a handful of at bats last September and has rookie cards in Series 1 and Heritage which I attribute mainly to him being part of a deadline trade.

As far as Ellis's chances for the All-Star Game, I do agree that he's a longshot considering the unprecedented success of so many catchers in the NL this season. I do think he deserves to be part of the national conversation though. As a Dodger fan and a longtime follower of his career I'm definitely checking his name every chance I get without feeling guilty about being a homer.

I think there will be room for three catchers on the team this year. In my mind Ruiz, Lucroy, Molina and Ellis (not necessarily in that order) have been the most deserving thus far. Lucroy will miss the game with an injury so if he is elected on either the fan or player ballot I can definitely see Ellis being named his replacement if Ruiz and Molina are already on the roster.

 

[TenaciousJDD]

Ha! I'm glad you like it, that one is one of my favorites. I crowdsource some of the facts from Facebook and Twitter. If you're on Twitter make sure to use the #AJEllisFacts hashtag.

 

[nborton]

I know Pujols hasn't been playing up to AS standards, but as we know that doesn't always matter. That said, anyone think there's a chance he gets voted in? Is LA a big enough market to get him in like NYY players? Or does splitting it with the Dodgers eliminate any chances? I can't see Konerko getting the starting spot even if he is deserving. I lived in Chicago for a while, and Cubs fans out numbered Sox fans easily.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Melky (1st in H, R, AVG) is having a better year than Cutch so far and is arguably as good as Braun.

 

[Frow]

I know Pujols hasn't been playing up to AS standards, but as we know that doesn't always matter. That said, anyone think there's a chance he gets voted in? Is LA a big enough market to get him in like NYY players? Or does splitting it with the Dodgers eliminate any chances? I can't see Konerko getting the starting spot even if he is deserving. I lived in Chicago for a while, and Cubs fans out numbered Sox fans easily.

I think it will be split. Being his first season there I don't think he has the rock solid fan support he would have if he was still in St. Louis. Probably a few out there pretty peeved about his April showing for such a costly player. He'll still get the people that only vote by names they recognize so I think it'll be close.