I figured with the all-star game coming up we could go over a run down of each position and who might be deserving of the all-star selection. We will break down 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS, OF and Catcher as those are the positions that are voted on by the fans. Today we look at SS.
Just like last time, let us first take a look at the current voting totals. Again these numbers are current as of the latest article released by MLB.com on June 28th 2010.
| Shortstop | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RANK | PLAYER NAME | AL TEAM | TOTAL VOTES |
| 1. | Derek Jeter | Yankees | 3,350,155 |
| 2. | Elvis Andrus | Rangers | 1,607,165 |
| 3. | J.J. Hardy | Twins | 897,710 |
| 4. | Jason Bartlett | Rays | 789,833 |
| 5. | Alex Gonzalez | Blue Jays | 683,135 |
Now let's take a closer look at each of these players starting at the bottom and working our way back up to number one. All Stats are before games on the 28th of June took place
5. Alex Gonzalez ranks in at number 5 as only the second Blue Jay to currently grace the top lists of any ballot. Gonzalez really started out the year hot but has since really slowed down. He is still hitting for decent average and while I would like to see him walk a bit more (especially out of the 2 spot) his slugging is keeping his OPS afloat. I think it is safe to say Gonzalez should be on the leaderboard for AL shortstops, but does he deserve to be higher?
4. Jason Bartlett, well.... he plays for the Rays. That is about all I got for this one. With the exception of taking a few more walks there isn't anything that he does better then Gonzalez. It is hard to make an argument for this guy and I am not going to try. This is one of the perils of fan voting. He missed the first half of June which accounts for the lower game totals.
3. J.J. Hardy, again there isn't much to say here. Hardy missed pretty much all of May, then played a few more and then again has been out since June 6th. He has a wrist injury which will zap whatever strength he had in there. No way should he even be in the discussion for the all-star game in my opinion. He has only played in 37 games to this point and while he has been in the lineup he hasn't done great.
2. Elvis Andrus, Hey look! Another pick that I finally agree with. What Andrus doesn't provide in strength and power he makes up with speed. He is the prototypical top of the order hitter, He projects in his career to hit 300 with higher OBP and high steal totals. And while his UZR numbers are severly down from last year with his speed the guy covers a lot of ground in the field. He looks like an all-star for years to come. Does he deserve to be number one? Or is he destined to be runner up to you know who for a few more years?
1. Ah yes. Derek Jeter. He has been a lock for the All-Star game for a few years now and that isn't going to change anytime soon as long as the fans are voting the starters. Now that is not to say he doesn't deserve at least some praise. There are some that say Jeter is over-rated but regardless he does put up overall solid numbers at a thin position. Decent average, good OBP with a touch of power hitting near the top of a potent Yankees lineup? He is sure to put up good to decent numbers as long as he continues to play. Does he deserve to be number 1? Or is this another case of the Yankees Voting Block causing havoc?
So what does everyone think? Who are the hits and misses? Does Jeter deserve to be number one? Should Gonzalez be higher? Is anyone else surprised that Scutaro isn't on a top list with a larger fanbase behind him now? To me this should be a close race, I think Gonzalez, Andrus and Jeter all deserve votes. It would be a very hard choice and as a Jays fan I gotta love Gonzalez but I would be extremly tempted to go with Andrus as well. Tough call. What do you think?
Today's Title is from Get Shorty (Obviously)