Yes, I saw the video of the girl getting hit by the foul ball in Houston. No, you don't want to hear my opinion on it. Because I'm in the minority. I don't think they need to extend the netting all the way from foul pole to foul pole as Kris Bryant suggested. You know the risks when you sit there. They warn you before and during the game, and they print it on the tickets. Yet you decide to sit there anyway. If you don't want to assume that risk, sit somewhere else!
Rather, I'm here today to talk about the start of All*Star voting. This is the first All*Star Game under the new format. The traditional voting is now the "primary round," where the top three vote-getters at each position (nine outfielders) move on to "Election Day," where the 17 starters (9 AL, 8 NL) are chosen. And, in a fun twist, you can only vote once on Election Day. This isn't the Final Vote, where you could vote over and over again. One vote. That's it.
Also, the Final Vote is no more, having been replaced by Election Day. No Final Vote means each manager gets to select one additional position player, which will be especially worthwhile in the AL. Instead of being limited to one position player, Alex Cora will have two spots available when choosing his token team reps. So, we may not get stuck with a random middle reliever being the Oriole or Royal because there wasn't room for a more-deserving position player.
Anyway, Election Day is going to change All*Star voting in a number of ways. The most significant, of course, is that, since vote totals are reset, a massive lead over second place will mean nothing for the leading vote-getters in the first stage. It could also mean that there's less ballot-stuffing (or ballot-stuffing will have less of an impact). And, perhaps most importantly, we could actually see the most deserving players elected as the starters.
With that in mind, here are the players who've been the most All*Star worthy at their positions thru the season's first two months:
Catcher
AL: Gary Sanchez, Yankees
NL: Willson Contreras, Cubs
Look at the Kracken's numbers, then consider the fact that he spent two weeks visiting his friends on the Yankees' DL. With Salvador Perez out for the year and not on the ballot, he likely will make his first All*Star start. Willson Contreras will need to break the Buster Posey/Yadi Molina stranglehold on the position in the NL. But he's been better than both perennials this season.
1st Base
AL: Luke Voit, Yankees
NL: Josh Bell, Pirates
Once a position where you could always expect to see ridiculous numbers, first base is now one of the AL's weaker positions. Voit's numbers clearly stand out over an unimpressive crowd. Josh Bell has been a revelation for the Pirates this season. If not for Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger, he'd be the NL MVP at this point.
2nd Base
AL: Tommy LaStella, Angels
NL: Ozzie Albies, Braves
This is Jose Altuve's domain, and I fully expect him to start at second for the AL like he usually does. But has he been the AL's best second baseman so far? No. It's actually been a toss-up between Tommy LaStella and DJ LeMahieu. It's a toss-up in the NL, too. You wouldn't be wrong to go with either Albies or Arizona's Ketel Marte.
Shortstop
AL: Jorge Polanco, Twins
NL: Jean Segura, Phillies
Minnesota has the best record in baseball. And Jorge Polanco has been a big reason for that. Of course, with the abundance of superstar names (Correa, Lindor), his most likely path to the roster is as a reserve. For all the moves the Phillies made in the offseason, the Segura trade ended up falling a little under the radar. But unlike some of their other newcomers, he's actually played to his All*Star potential.
3rd Base
AL: Alex Bregman, Astros
NL: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
As much as I love the legend that is Gio Urshela, Alex Bregman, last year's All*Star Game MVP, is blowing away the AL third base field. Although, Jose Ramirez started last year, so this could be the Indians' best chance to get a starter in their home park. In the NL, it's not even close between Arenado and everybody else.
Outfield
AL: Mike Trout, Angels; Michael Brantley, Astros; Austin Meadows, Rays
NL: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers; Christian Yelich, Brewers; Alex Verdugo, Dodgers
Obviously Mike Trout is All-World everything. Even his down years are better than the average player's good year. Michael Brantley has been the perfect addition to the Astros. This is the type of player he can be when he's healthy. And it would be cool to see him start an All*Star Game in Cleveland. I easily could've gone with another Astro, George Springer, as my third outfielder. But having watched Austin Meadows torch the Yankees and the Rays continue to hang around in the AL East, I'm giving him the nod.
In the National League, the first two selections were incredibly easy. With Bellinger and Yelich, the only real question is which one is currently the MVP (my choice would be Bellinger). The third outfielder is a little tougher. I'm going with Bellinger's Dodger teammate Alex Verdugo, who's sure making them look wise for trading Yasiel Puig and opening up a spot. It'll be interesting when A.J. Pollock comes back, but that's an issue for another day.
Designated Hitter
AL: Hunter Pence, Rangers
Something's wrong! Khris Davis is currently hitting .248! Where'd that extra point come from?! Anyway, for a guy who looked done at the end of last season, Hunter Pence sure has taken to both the American League and DHing. Of course, with J.D. Martinez and Nelson Cruz heating up, I fully expect to see one of them be the actual starter in Cleveland.
All of this, obviously, is subject to change. And, just because the format is different, it doesn't mean the traditional fan favorites won't collect high vote totals. Which doesn't make these 17 players any less deserving of selection. Currently, at least. It is still May, after all.
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