2015 MLB All-Star Worthy Selections: Shortstop
The 2015 MLB All-Star Game is nearly one month away. As the Great American Ball Park is set to play host to the Mid-Summer Classic, baseball fans are frantically casting their votes for their favorite all-stars. In turn, KIRS counts down to the Cincinnati showdown by taking a look at the potential candidates to start the 86th annual All-Star Game – position by position.
On July 14, 2015, the Mid-Summer Classic will no longer experience the finesse of a certain pinstriped shortstop. Since his first admission in 1998, Derek Jeter elevated the shortstop position for nearly the next two decades. In his 14 elected games, Jeter slashed a career .481 / .517 / .667 and even capturing the 2000 All-Star Game MVP (one of only six shortstops to win the award). With the captain now retired, which shortstop will take reign of the position in Cincinnati?
AL FAN BALLOT LEADERBOARD (as of June 8)
1. Alcides Escobar, Royals: 3,928,985
2. Jose Iglesias, Tigers: 1,819,764
3. Marcus Semien, Athletics: 910,707
NL FAN BALLOT LEADERBOARD (as of June 9)
1. Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals: 2,441,384
2. Brandon Crawford, Giants: 1,821,037
3. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,105,090
The 28-year old Alcides Escobar has a commanding lead in the ballot, and will most likely be starting at shortstop. To note, six of Escobar’s Royals’ teammates are also leading in votes for their respective positions. In an obvious inflation of fan voting, Escobar’s .265 / .296 / .355 is almost undeserving of the honor. Although the NL ballots trend the same issue with Cardinals’ fans, Jhonny Peralta has earned his place atop the 14 other NL starting shortstops. With the exception of Brandon Crawford’s league-leading 38 RBIs, Peralta leads with 10 homeruns and a .315 batting average.
KIRS PICKS… Johnny Peralta and Jose Reyes. While the Peralta choice is a given, Jose Reyes is having a very underrated season. Although missing nearly a month, Reyes still leads AL shortstops with 9 stolen bases. Reyes’ numbers are most respectable this season, batting .302 / .328 / .413 with 17 RBIs, all above league-average. In today’s game, teams are lucky to have an above-average offensive shortstop. Both Peralta and Reyes having exceptional years on both sides of the diamond. Reserve picks (aka honorable mentions) may include NL ballot leader runner-ups Crawford (.288, 8 HR, 38 RBIs) and Tulowitzki (.311, 7 HR, 32 RBIs), and Red Sox’ youngster Xander Bogaerts (.296 / .341 / .398).
-KIRS ALL-STAR TEAMS-
KIRS American League All-Star Team (thus far!)
C:
1B:
2B: (COMING SOON!)
3B:
SS: Jose Reyes, Blue Jays
OF:
OF:
OF:
DH:
SP:
KIRS National League All-Star Team (thus far!)
C:
1B:
2B: (COMING SOON!)
3B:
SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
OF:
OF:
OF:
DH:
SP:
