The MLB All-Star game starters have been announced and there’s nothing you can do about it! No, seriously, there’s nothing you can do about it. They’re set and ready to go. But, there’s good news if your voting fingers are still itching to do some voting. Every year, MLB has a Final Vote for the fans to give one player from each league the chance to go to the All-Star game, which this year is being help in wild and wonderful Minnesota. This year’s crop includes former MVPs, Cy Young Candidates, first timers, veterans and even a cancer survivor. But if your favorite team doesn’t have a representative how will you know who to vote for? Well, here’s the breakdown.
American League:
Dallas Keuchel – @kidkeuchy
26 years old, Pitcher for the Houston Astros
It is hard to think of Keuchel as an All-Star considering he plays for the Astros who look to be headed for another dead last finish in the MLB. But, Keuchel has put together a nice resume with 3 complete games so far this year. He’s only given up 27 walks and 6 homeruns in 108 innings pitched. Not too shabby. Also, after finding out he was chosen as one of the Final Vote finalists, Keuchel tweeted this:
@kidkeuchy Jul 6 “Pumped to be one 1 of 5 guys for final vote but good gosh that’s some stiff competition! That’s a list of aces in itself! Wow”
How could you not vote for such modesty?
To vote for Keuchel text A1 to 89269 or tweet #VoteKeuchel
Corey Kluber – @CKluber
28 years old, Pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
The big right hander has put together an impressive season, which includes 137 strike outs in 125 innings. His best start came back in April when he threw is first major league complete game shutout with 11 strike outs and no walks. He also leads the AL in starts this season and in fielding percentage, which is thus far perfect.
To vote for Kluber text A2 to 89269 or tweet #VoteKluber
Rick Porcello
25 years old, Pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
Porcello tends to get overshadowed in Detroit, since they have those guys named Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, who are pretty good. But Porcello leads the AL in complete game shutouts with 2, which incidentally came in back-to-back starts. He also has 11 wins this year, if you’re one to think that wins and losses is a reliable stat.
To vote for Porcello text A3 to 89269 or tweet #PickRick
Garrett Richards – @GRICHARDS26
26 years old, Pitcher for the LA Angels
Richards is definitely having the best season of his career. In his fourth season, he leads the NL in Hits per 9 IP with just over 6.4 and has an ERA of 2.71. He also leads the AL in wild pitches, with 16, but that’s just a small semantic. Let’s focus on the fact that he’s holding hitters to a .194 batting average.
To vote for Richards text A4 to 89269 or tweet #VoteGRich
Chris Sale
25 years old, Pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
Sale has proven himself to be a true ace pitcher and perennial Cy Young candidate. He already has two All-Star games appearances despite only being 25 years old. He hasn’t shown quite the same domination that he has in the past couple of years, which could be partially due to the fact he spent a month of the season on the DL. Even being a month behind the other pitchers on the list, he still has 2 complete games, 8 wins and a 3.7 WAR. Also, 96 strikeouts in 87 innings is pretty impressive.
To vote for Sale text A5 to 89269 or tweet #TargetSale
National League:
Casey McGehee
31 years old, Third baseman for the Miami Marlins
McGehee has been a solid player for 5 different teams since he entered the league in 2008, but this is his first chance at an All-Star game. While McGehee isn’t the typical power hitting third baseman, he does lead the NL in hits and singles, and has the highest batting average of all of the NL finalist. But he also leads the NL in ground into double play balls and has only hit one homerun this season.
To vote for McGehee text N1 to 89269 or tweet #VoteHitsMcGehee
Justin Morneau – @JustinMorneau
33 years old, First baseman for the Colorado Rockies
Morneau is the true feel good story of the Final Vote nominees. Although he’s been to four All-Star games in the past, the Canadian has seen his career stall in the past couple of years due to concussions that threatened to end his playing days. But Morneau has seen a career resurgence this season. He’s second in the NL in RBIs with 59, and has hit 13 homeruns with a .316 batting average. He may not have as good of numbers as the other nominees, but it would be nice him make another All-Star game after everything he’s gone through.
To vote for Morneau text N2 to 89269 or tweet #VoteMorneau
Anthony Rendon
24 years old, Infielder for the Washington Nationals
Rendon is typically overshadowed in the nation’s capital by another bright young star by the name of Bryce Harper, but the youngest player of the finalist is only in his second season of professional ball and is making a name for himself. He’s the most versatile of the Final Vote finalist, having played both second and third this season, all while maintaining a .282 batting average. He’s fourth in NL in triples, with 5, and runs scored, with 61. Rendon has said he isn’t going to campaign for himself to win the Final Vote, because it isn’t a big deal to him, which is sweet but come on. What pro baseball player doesn’t want to go to the All-Star game?
To vote for Rendon text N3 to 89269 or tweet #VoteRendon
Anthony Rizzo – @ARizzo44
24 years old, First baseman for the Chicago Cubs
I feel like I need to give a disclaimer – I’m a huge Cubs fan and have been on a #VoteRizzo tear because I’m biased. But ignoring my bias, Rizzo leads all NL first basemen, and all Final Vote nominees, in homeruns with 19 and is tied for first in walks with 51. Also, Rizzo is a cancer survivor. To be a world class baseball player after beating cancer is definitely deserving of an All-Star vote, and he has the numbers to back it up.
To vote for Rizzo text N4 to 89269 or tweet #VoteRizzo
Justin Upton – @JUP_8TL
26 years old, Left fielder for the Atlanta Braves
Of all of the finalist for the Final Vote, Justin Upton is arguably the most well-known. The younger of the Upton brothers is a two-time All-Star, and was voted NL Player of the Week on April 13. His numbers this year are down from previous years, and he leads all left fielders in errors, but he’s still hit 17 homeruns, 17 doubles and 86 hits for a .277 average.
To vote for Upton text N5 to 89269 or tweet #VoteJUp
Now the choice is up to you. Which ace is the most worthy of being added to the AL All-Star pitching staff? And which slugger will they potentially go up against from the NL? You can text or tweet your votes at the numbers and hashtags above, or you can vote on MLB.com. Voting ends Thursday, July 10 at 4 p.m. EST.
