Early Line On The AL West All Stars
With the opening of All-Star voting on the 24th, let’s take a look at some players who are legitimate candidates for inclusion in the All-Star game. We’ll take a look at 5 candidates (one from each AL West team) that stand the best chance to be a part of the All-Star festivities at Citi Field in July.
Houston Astros, 2B Jose Altuve – Before you snicker under your breath, remember that the All-Star teams MUST include one player from every team. Houston’s leadoff man is really the only player deserving of being Houston’s representative in the All-Star game. Amongst the AL leaders, he’s tied for first in hits (30) and sixth in average (.353). The drawback is that he’s only scored nine runs despite an on-base percentage of .415. That’s more an indictment of the Astros lack of any middle of the order threat to bring him home consistently, though. If he can stay healthy, he’ll easily be the choice for Houston in the All-Star game.
Los Angeles Angels, LF Mark Trumbo – Out of all the teams in the AL West, the Angels were actually the toughest team to determine their best candidate for All-Star. Not because there’s so many great choices, but because everyone has been playing so decidedly worse than expected. Who would have thought that former Angel Vernon Wells (crown champion of the “Not Earning My Contract” award for the last few years) would be outplaying Pujols, Trout, Bourjos, and everyone else that hits in the L.A. lineup? Trumbo’s numbers aren’t overwhelming, but he’s the best of the worst that L.A. is producing right now. He’s seventh in hits (26) with .313/.360/.470 (AVG/OBP/SLG) splits. He’s definitely the best option on a very underachieving Angels team.
Oakland Athletics, SS Jed Lowrie – If you look for culprits behind Oakland’s torrid start, you’d find Lowrie’s fingerprints all over. He’s tied for the AL lead in hits (with the aforementioned Jose Altuve), while being third in doubles (9), fourth in average (.366) and runs (16), and sixth in OPS (1.026). While some can argue that CF Coco Crisp is just as worthy of All-Star consideration (and most deservedly so), Orioles CF Adam Jones is major opposition. No other SS comes close to Lowrie’s numbers, and perennial All-Star SS Derek Jeter is potentially on the shelf ’till the Midsummer Classic.
Seattle Mariners, RP Tom Wilhelmsen – When Seattle can actually get games to a save situation, nobody has been as lethal as Wilhelmsen has been. He’s tied for second in the AL in saves (6) and leads all AL relievers with a .100 AVG against. He’s been unhittable. Plus, who doesn’t love that Paul Bunyan beard he’s got? If his game can continue to match his beard in terms of awesomeness, he’ll be tabbed to represent Seattle.
Brian Wilson take note. This is how you wear a beard and not look like a Hobo.
Texas Rangers, SP Yu Darvish – Darvish is pitching so well, he’s not only meriting consideration for making the All-Star roster, but he’s firmly in the running to be the AL’s starting pitcher. He’s started the season 3-1 with a pencil thin 2.02 ERA, but also ranks second in AVG against (batters are hitting .144 against him) and WHIP (he gives up less than one hit or walk per inning at 0.79). As long as he doesn’t burn out like he did last season, he should be an easy pick to travel to New York in July.
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