Playing With Fire: All-Star Update
Not much has been made of the all-star voting at MLBFO yet, so it's about time for someone to start criticizing the fans. This week, the NL voting results followed by some commentary.
NL Voting (as of June 10th)
First Base: Lance Berkman, HOU: Berkman has a solid lead over Cubs slugger Derrek Lee, so it looks like the fans have him as a lock. Fat Elvis, as they call him, has been dominating NL pitching staffs and is certainly worthy of an all-star selection, and is even a possible MVP candidate.
Second Base: Chase Utley, PHI: Utley is a shoe-in for this spot, with Mark DeRosa trailing by nearly 500,000 votes. Utley is similar to Berkman, in that he has been dominating the NL and is a possible MVP candidate. Dan Uggla is also deserving of this spot, but he's in the wrong place at the wrong time behind Utley.
Third Base: Chipper Jones, ATL: If you have yet to notice, Chipper Jones is hitting over .400 (take that Brad Stewart). As of last Sunday, Chipper would have had to hit .388 in order to sustain a .400 batting average for the entire season, which is possible by the slightest margins (even I admit it). Chipper is the MVP at this point so far for the average he has put up though.
Shortstop: Miguel Tejada, HOU: Hanley Ramirez was leading up until this week, but Tejada managed to take the lead. Tejada has been good this year, but has yet to produce numbers similar to H-Ram. Rafael Furcal would have had a more legitimate case had he not gotten injured.
Outfield: Alfonso Soriano, CHI: Soriano is out for 6 weeks which could mean that he will miss the All-Star game if there are any setbacks. Even with the injury though, it is unlikely for Soriano to lose his 500,000 vote lead over 4th place Carlos Lee. Can anyone say Nate McLouth?
Outfield: Kosuke Fukudome, CHI: Sure he has been good for the Cubs, and especially their fan base this year, but he isn't nearly deserving of an All-Star selection. Outfielders Ryan Braun, Xavier Nady, Ryan Ludwick, etc. could all easily fit here.
Outfield: Ken Griffey Jr., CIN: Just another victim of the popularity contest, Griffey hit his 600th home run this year, but multiple other guys are more deserving of this spot. Aaron Rowand or Pat Burrell should be in this slot.
Catcher: Geovany Soto, CHI: Personally, this is one of the hardest positions to choose from this year. Soto is deserving, but shouldn't be getting the pity vote for being a rookie. Brian McCann, Russell Martin, and Bengie Molina are all deserving of the spot as well.
It's worth noting that pitchers aren't selected by the fans, however Edinson Volquez could very well be the starter at this point.
NL Voting (as of June 10th)
First Base: Lance Berkman, HOU: Berkman has a solid lead over Cubs slugger Derrek Lee, so it looks like the fans have him as a lock. Fat Elvis, as they call him, has been dominating NL pitching staffs and is certainly worthy of an all-star selection, and is even a possible MVP candidate.
Second Base: Chase Utley, PHI: Utley is a shoe-in for this spot, with Mark DeRosa trailing by nearly 500,000 votes. Utley is similar to Berkman, in that he has been dominating the NL and is a possible MVP candidate. Dan Uggla is also deserving of this spot, but he's in the wrong place at the wrong time behind Utley.
Third Base: Chipper Jones, ATL: If you have yet to notice, Chipper Jones is hitting over .400 (take that Brad Stewart). As of last Sunday, Chipper would have had to hit .388 in order to sustain a .400 batting average for the entire season, which is possible by the slightest margins (even I admit it). Chipper is the MVP at this point so far for the average he has put up though.
Shortstop: Miguel Tejada, HOU: Hanley Ramirez was leading up until this week, but Tejada managed to take the lead. Tejada has been good this year, but has yet to produce numbers similar to H-Ram. Rafael Furcal would have had a more legitimate case had he not gotten injured.
Outfield: Alfonso Soriano, CHI: Soriano is out for 6 weeks which could mean that he will miss the All-Star game if there are any setbacks. Even with the injury though, it is unlikely for Soriano to lose his 500,000 vote lead over 4th place Carlos Lee. Can anyone say Nate McLouth?
Outfield: Kosuke Fukudome, CHI: Sure he has been good for the Cubs, and especially their fan base this year, but he isn't nearly deserving of an All-Star selection. Outfielders Ryan Braun, Xavier Nady, Ryan Ludwick, etc. could all easily fit here.
Outfield: Ken Griffey Jr., CIN: Just another victim of the popularity contest, Griffey hit his 600th home run this year, but multiple other guys are more deserving of this spot. Aaron Rowand or Pat Burrell should be in this slot.
Catcher: Geovany Soto, CHI: Personally, this is one of the hardest positions to choose from this year. Soto is deserving, but shouldn't be getting the pity vote for being a rookie. Brian McCann, Russell Martin, and Bengie Molina are all deserving of the spot as well.
It's worth noting that pitchers aren't selected by the fans, however Edinson Volquez could very well be the starter at this point.
