2015 MLB All-Star Worthy Selections: Outfielders
Which offensive player would you shape your franchise around?
Trout…Harper…Puig…McCutchen…Jones…Stanton…Bautista. These are most likely the first few names that would come to mind. None of these players would be a wrong answer as each player represent a certified cornerstone for their respective teams. This also shows that some of baseball’s most elite belongs to the outfield. Some, if not, all of the aforementioned players will be in attendance for this year’s MLB All-Star festivities. Here’s a look at the latest ballot updates for the outfield:
AL FAN BALLOT LEADERBOARD (as of June 22)
1. Mike Trout, Angels: 9,148,142
2. Lorenzo Cain, Royals: 9,079,146
3. Alex Gordon, Royals: 7,810,995
- Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers: 5,929,670
- Alex Rios, Royals: 5,658,024
- Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,299,960
- Adam Jones, Orioles: 4,827,069
NL FAN BALLOT LEADERBOARD (as of June 23)
1. Bryce Harper, Nationals: 9,224,370
2. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins: 4,824,989
3. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 4,716,941
- Nori Aoki, Giants: 4,349,685
- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 3,542,262
Lorenzo Cain is an almost guarantee to start the game in Cincinnati as he is nearly 2 million votes ahead of third leading vote-getter and Royals’ teammate, Alex Gordon. Cain’s 2015 output is impressive (.290 / .346 / .440) and arguably All-Star worthy. Reigning MVP Mike Trout is having a Mike Trout season, launching 18 bombs and driving in 41 of his Angels’ teammates. Giancarlo Stanton leads all of baseball in homeruns with 27, followed by Bryce Harper’s 24 dingers. Harper places in the top four of all three Triple Crown categories, and more impressively has shattered the all-time National League vote record set by Buster Posey in 2012 who amassed 7,621,370 votes.
KIRS PICKS… Brett Gardner, Mike Trout, Yoenis Cespedes, Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, and Giancarlo Stanton. Trout, Harper, and Stanton will most likely start in the outfield, and there are no arguments against their vote. Yoenis Cespedes has the best chance of catching Alex Gordon for the third starting outfield spot. His batting average is one of the best among American League outfielders plus tallying 41 RBIs in his first season in Detroit. Brett Gardner is having a career and yet underrated season slashing a .292 with 9 HR, 38 RBIs, and 15 steals. Batting out of the lead-off spot, he is a key reason why the Yankees have stayed atop the American League East standings. McCutchen’s near identical line of .292 with 9 HRs and 44 RBIs should grant the 28-year old his fifth All-Star Game selection.
Our reserve picks (aka “honorable mentions”) include Lorenzo Cain (although he will start the game regardless), Jose Bautista (15 HRs and 50 RBIs), Adam Jones (.298, 10 HRs, 36 RBIs), Joc Pederson (19 HRs and 37 RBIs in his rookie season), and Nori Aoki (.317 / .383 / .385 with 12 SB)
-KIRS ALL-STAR TEAMS-
KIRS American League All-Star Team (thus far!)
C:
1B:
2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians
3B:
SS: Jose Reyes, Blue Jays
LF: Brett Gardner, Yankees
CF: Mike Trout, Angels
RF: Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers
DH:
SP:
KIRS National League All-Star Team (thus far!)
C:
1B:
2B: Dee Gordon, Marlins
3B:
SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
LF: Bryce Harper, Nationals
CF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
RF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
DH:
SP:
