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Mariners Analysis: Find Out Where the M’s Rank in All Star Voting
May 27, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits the game winning 3-run home run during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Seattle Mariners defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
We have a big 6 weeks in front of us guys, it’s All Star voting season! That special time of year when you click “vote” so many times for your favorite players that your fingers start to bleed.
Major League Baseball released their first voting update on Monday to give fans an idea of who is getting votes and who is not. There are some pretty interesting snubs so far in 2015. The entire results can be found here.
The All Star game has always been a popularity contest, and it always will be as long as fans decide which position players get the call. The most passionate fan bases vote the most times, which leads to more players from those clubs being selected. As many would have expected, the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers have multiple players currently in the running. However, the Kansas City Royals’ fan base is as fervent as anybody, and they have voted the vast majority of their team All Stars thus far.
Seattle sent 4 players (Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Fernando Rodney) to Minnesota last season to represent the Mariners at the mid-summer classic. The M’s inked Nelson Cruz this offseason to a big time free agent deal after he was named an All Star last season with the Baltimore Orioles. However, the Mariners’ fans have fallen asleep on the job this spring, as Cruz is the only Mariner anywhere close to making the All Star team in 2015.
It is important to note that fans only get the right to vote for position players. Every team needs at least 1 representative, and MLB fills out the pitching staff to meet this requirement.
Today, I will go through each position and break down the voting results. I will also discuss where the Mariners’ players rank right now. We will start behind the plate where Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals currently leads the American League.
Next: Catcher
May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) shakes hands with manager Lloyd McClendon (23) following the final out of an 11-4 victory against the San Diego Padres at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Catcher
The Royals fans have voted Salvador Perez the leader amongst the American League backstops, and his 1,447,753 votes lead the entire league. Perez is hitting .297 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI’s this season for the reigning AL champs.
May 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Vogt of the Oakland A’s is currently in 2nd with 795,848. Vogt is hitting .313 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI’s in his first full season behind the plate. Vogt should be leading this category if you ask me.
Russell Martin is making quite an impact in his first season in Toronto, and the fans have him in 3rd place in the voting. Martin has earned 395,192 votes after hitting .269 with 7 home runs and 23 RBI’s. The Montreal, QC product is also considered to be a superb defender.
It surprises me that Yankees’ fans have only voted 342,826 times for Brian McCann. The 31-year-old is in 4th place in balloting. McCann is currently hitting .235 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI’s.
I would not have expected to see Caleb Joseph‘s name on the list of top vote getters, but I guess the Orioles’ fans have been busy. Joseph sits 5th in balloting after receiving 205,568 votes. He is hitting .274 with 4 home runs and 18 RBI’s in his first full season as the O’s catcher.
Baseball fans are apparently unimpressed with Mike Zunino this season. The Mariners’ backstop was not ranked in the top 5 in the first set of results. Zunino is hitting just .185 with 6 home runs and 14 RBI’s in 2015. However, he is hitting .250 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI’s over his last 11 games. Zunino is a quality defender, and he has a chance to crack the list if he can tap into his prodigious power in the coming weeks.
Next: First Base
May 22, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) goes to tag out Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) diving to first base in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. The Mariners won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
First Base
It surprises no one that Miguel Cabrera is the leading vote getter among first baseman with 1,347,351 votes. Miggy is putting together another incredible season, and he is more than deserving of his spot on the list. Cabrera is hitting .341 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI’s this season.
May 3, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers first basemen Miguel Cabrera (24) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals ranks 2nd in balloting with 1,101,738 votes. Homser made a name for himself last postseason, and his playoff success has carried over to 2015. He is hitting .305 with 7 home runs and 30 RBI’s for the Royals.
Not many people expected Mark Teixeira to have such a huge season for the Yankees in 2015. The veteran first baseman is 3rd in balloting after receiving 342,788 votes. Tex is hitting .243 with 14 home runs and 35 RBI’s.
Jose Abreu may have the most pure power in baseball, and the fans have him 4th in voting with 222,288 ballots cast. Abreu is a budding star with the White Sox, and he is currently hitting .274 with 8 home runs and 27 RBI’s.
Albert Pujols may be a first ballot hall of famer, but he is not getting much love from the fans this season. Pujols is currently 5th in first base voting with 217,576 votes counted. The Angels’ first baseman is hitting just .235 this season with 8 home runs and 17 RBI’s.
Logan Morrison may be a fan favorite in Seattle, but fans around the league are ignoring LoMo and charismatic swing. Morrison is hitting .234 with 6 home runs and 14 RBI’s this season. Those numbers are not great, but he has posted a .268 batting average with 5 home runs and 10 RBI’s this month. If LoMo can keep it up, he should find himself amongst the leaders in the coming weeks.
Next: Second Base
May 13, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) reaches base on a fielding error by the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Second Base
This may be a bit nauseating for Mariners’ fans, but Robinson Cano is not in the top 5 vote getters right now at second base. Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros is the current leader with 1,301,754 votes. Altuve won the AL Batting Title in 2014, and he is hitting .296 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI’s for the first place Astros this season.
Omar Infante of the Kansas City Royals is 2nd in votes at 715,345. Infante is hitting .245 with 0 home runs, 17 RBI’s and 0 stolen bases. Infante is not deserving of his spot here, but that has’t stopped the Royals’ fans from stuffing the ballot box.
May 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) throws to first base during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Ian Kinsler is someone Mariners’ fans are very familiar with from his days with the Texas Rangers. Now a Detroit Tiger, Kinsler ranks 3rd with 348,115 votes. Kinsler is hitting .282 this season, but his power has disappeared, as he has clubbed 0 home runs and driven in 21 runs.
The next name is embarrassing for Mariners’ fans and Robby Cano. Blue Jays’ rookie Devon Travis ranks 4th after accumulating 320,572 votes. Travis is hitting .271 with 7 home runs and 26 RBI’s in his debut season in Toronto.
Veteran dirtbag (I mean that in a good way), Dustin Pedroia, is sitting in 5th place after getting 320,420 votes. Pedroia is hitting .285 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI’s. Red Sox players typically do very well in the public vote, and I expect Pedroia to climb up this list as the All Star Game approaches.
Robinson Cano is not having an All Star season, but he is one of the more popular players in the game. I am astounded Mariners’ fans have not put him in the top 5. Robby is hitting just .257 with 1 home run and 13 RBI’s this season. If Cano is snubbed it will be the first time since 2009 he will not be present at the mid-summer classic.
Next: Third Base
May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) hits a three-run homer against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Third Base
Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals is the leading vote getter at the hot corner with 1,261,769 ballots counted. Moustakas has posted an impressive .331 batting average, but his 4 home runs and 15 RBI’s are hardly All Star caliber.
Apr 26, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Donaldson has cemented himself as one of the best third baseman in baseball the past 3 seasons. The Blue Jays’ third baseman is 2nd with 876,586 votes after hitting .315 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI’s in 2015. Donaldson is also an elite defender, and should be the starting third baseman this July for the AL.
The Red Sox made waves this offseason when they lured Pablo Sandoval away from the World Champion San Francisco Giants. Sandoval is currently in 3rd place after netting 348,787 votes. He is hitting .265 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI’s in his first season in Boston.
Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles is 4th in votes with 266,746. Machado is hitting .280 with 6 home runs and 19 RBI’s. He is widely considered to be one of the premier fielders at the hot corner. and represents one of the best young players in the game.
Former Mariner Adrian Beltre is 5th in balloting with 205,836 votes. Beltre is hitting .262 this season with 6 home runs and 16 RBI’s with the Texas Rangers.
Kyle Seager is one of the most undervalued players in all of baseball, and the fact that he has been left off this list is the proof. Seags is hitting .281 with 9 home runs and 29 RBI’s in 2015. Not only are his offensive numbers superior to Mustakas, Sandoval, Machado and Beltre, but Seager is the reigning Gold Glove winner at third base. Seager’s spot comes down to lack of support amongst Seattle fans. We have to fix this.
Next: Shortstop
May 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run as Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) looks at the score board in the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Shortstop
Alcides Escobar of the Kansas City Royals is the leader amongst shortstops with 1,191,268 votes. The 28-year-old is hitting .270 with 1 home run, 15 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases. Escobar is a quality shortstop, but with the season he is having, there is no way he should be the starting shortstop for the AL.
The Tigers’ fans have banded together and made Jose Iglesias the 2nd highest vote getter with 826,382 ballots counted. Iglesias is hitting .333 with 1 home run and 6 RBI’s for Detroit.
May 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien (10) on base during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Semien is dominating in his first season in Oakland, and the fans have voted 354,954 times for the young shortstop. Semien is in 3rd place amongst shortstops after hitting .283 with 6 home runs, 15 RBI’s and 7 stolen bases. In my opinion, Semien should be much higher on this list.
Jed Lowrie of the Houston Astros is 4th in voting after receiving 332,534 votes. Lowrie has always been considered an offensive shortstop, and he is hitting .300 with 4 home runs and 10 RBI’s in his first season in Houston.
Despite appearing in only 18 games this season, Jose Reyes has received 217,417 votes, good for 5th in the AL. Reyes is hitting just .246 with 0 home runs, 7 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases this season. It is laughable to me that Reyes is in the top 5 vote getters amongst shortstops.
Brad Miller is the Mariners’ shortstop according to MLB.com, and he should probably be the Mariners’ shortstop still in real life too. Miller is hitting just .242 on the season, but his 5 home runs and 14 RBI’s are amongst the best in the league for shortstops. Miller was named AL Player of the Week recently, and his bat could make him an All Star if he can raise his average a bit.
Next: Left Field
May 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Dustin Ackley (13) hits an RBI double in the fourth inning scoring two runs against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Left Field
The Kansas City Royals have yet another leading vote getter in left fielder Alex Gordon. The 31-year-old has 991,606 votes and is hitting .266 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI’s this season. Gordon is not having a particular good season, but apparently that does not matter to fans.
Apr 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) at bat against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Yoenis Cespedes is in his first season with the Detroit Tigers, and currently sits 2nd in balloting with 668,058 votes. Cespedes is a home derby ace, and this season he has put together his most complete season. Cespedes is hitting .285 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI’s.
Michael Brantley had a breakout campaign in 2014, and is 3rd in left field voting with 484,548 ballots counted. Brantley is hitting .304 with 4 home runs and 27 RBI’s this season with the Cleveland Indians.
Hanley Ramirez is one of the biggest names in the sport, and he has successfully transitioned from shortstop to left field in his first season with the BoSox. Ramirez is 4th in left field voting with 478,070 votes cast. Ramiez is hitting just .256 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI’s in 2015.
Speedster Brett Gardner sits 5th in left field voting at 288,674. The New York Yankees’ left fielder is hitting .279 with 4 home runs, 19 RBI’s and 12 stolen bases. Gardner is always undervalued, and I think he should be higher on this list.
Dustin Ackley is the Mariner you can vote for in left field. Ackley has been atrocious in 2015, and is currently riding the pine. Ackley is hitting .184 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI’s. He has been terrible with runners in scoring position, and appears to be on his way out of the Emerald City with Brad Miller moving to left field.
Next: Center Field
May 27, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson (16) looks on as he strikes out during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Center Field
The Kansas City Royals’ fans strike again! There must be nothing better to do in Kansas City than vote for the Royals because Lorenzo Cain is beating Mike Trout in voting. Cain leads all center fielders with 1,376,217 votes. Cain is hitting .298 with 3 home runs, 19 RBI’s and 7 stolen bases. This is crazy people, there is no way Cain should be starting over Mike Trout in the All Star Game!
May 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) and Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) speak before the game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Trout is the best player in baseball by a considerable margin, and he is 2nd in voting amongst center fielders with 1,297,085. Trouty won his first AL MVP in 2014, and is hitting .292 with 11 home runs, 25 RBI’s and 8 stolen bases this season.
Former Mariner, Adam Jones, is 3rd in voting with 981,606 ballots counted. Jones is one of the premier players in the game, and is the face of the Orioles. AJ is hitting .310 with 6 home runs and 25 RBI’s this season with Baltimore.
Jacoby Ellsbury is having a great season with the New York Yankees in 2015. Ellsbury is 4th in votes at 546,188. The Oregon State alum is hitting .324 with 1 home run, 6 RBI’s and 14 stolen bases.
Youngster Mookie Betts is 5th in votes amongst center fielders. The Boston Red Sox star has tallied 241,279 votes. Betts is hitting just .240 with 5 home runs, 24 RBI’s and 5 stolen bases.
Austin Jackson did not crack the top 5, but there is still hope the Mariners’ center fielder will get some recognition in the coming weeks. AJ missed nearly a month due to a sprained ankle, but he is hitting .240 this season with 2 home runs, 4 RBI’s and 6 stolen bases. Jackson is a top tier defender, but that generally is not rewarded by the voters.
Next: Right Field
May 15, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Seth Smith (7) hits a solo-homer against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Right Field
I am going to be sick — Alex Rios of the Kansas City Royals is the leading vote getter amongst right fielders. Rios was thought to be washed up when he inked a 1-yr deal this offseason, but the Royal faithful love him. Rios has dressed in just 7 games this season. Regardless, he netted 629,111 votes.
Jose Bautista is an All Star regular, and he sits 2nd in votes amongst right fielders with 499,673. Bautista is hitting just .231 this season, but has contributed 11 dingers and 30 RBI’s.
May 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (22) in the dugout before playing the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Reddick of the Oakland A’s is 3rd on the list with 331,846 votes. Reddick is hitting .312 with 7 home runs and 30 RBI’s so far this season. Reddick deserves to be leading in this category.
Carlos Beltran is one of the best known players in the sport, and sits 4th in voting with 288,674 votes. Beltran has been terrible this season, posting a .236 average with 3 home runs and 18 RBI’s.
J.D. Martinez reinvented himself last season with the Detroit Tigers, and he is 5th in votes with 245,736. Martinez is hitting .260 with 9 home runs and 22 RBI’s this season.
Seth Smith has been slightly overlooked by the fans in my opinion. Smith is eligible as the Mariners’ right fielder despite the fact that he has only played 12 games in right. Smith is hitting .263 this season with 4 home runs and 10 RBI’s. He has been a steading force at the top of the M’s lineup, and deserves the support the fan base.
Next: Designated Hitter
May 15, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI single against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Boston, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Designated Hitter
Finally, the Mariners get some love from the rest of baseball. Nelson Cruz is having a season for the ages in Seattle, and he has been rewarded for his efforts. Cruz is leading all other designated hitters with 1,225,255 votes cast in his name. Cruz deserves every one of them. The 34-year-old is hitting .341 with 18 home runs and 38 RBI’s in his first season with the M’s. He has also played a strong right field for Seattle despite his DH status.
Kendrys Morales has had a decent debut season with the Kansas City Royals, and he sits in 2nd with 918,049 votes. Morales stunk up the joint in 2014 with the M’s before signing this offseason with the Royals. Morales is hitting .301 with 6 home runs and 37 RBI’s.
May 26, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) reacts after being walked against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The fact that Alex Rodriguez has more than 1 vote saddens me; the fact that he has 351,567 makes me want to vomit. A-Rod has been productive this season, but his history is worthy of an All Star snub. Rodriguez is hitting .270 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI’s after being suspended all of last season for taking PEDs.
David Ortiz is typically much higher on this list, but the Royals’ fans are screwing with our minds. The perennial All Star is 4th in voting with 340,606 ballots cast. Ortiz is hitting .222 this season with 6 home runs and 18 RBI’s.
Victor Martinez represented the Detroit Tigers at last season’s All Star game, and sits in 5th place with 276,232 votes this season. V-Mart has struggled with injuries all year, and is hitting just .216 with 1 home run and 15 RBI’s.
Next: Conclusion
Apr 6, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of the MLB All Star Game banner prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Conclusion
All of us have failed our Mariners. Whether it is because of the discouraging start or pure laziness, only 1 Mariner is in the top 5 in voting at his position. Northwest sports fans know that the rest of the country overlooks us, but we can still band together and get our guys into the mid-summer classic.
Use the Kansas City Royals’ fans as motivation. Small market teams can register big vote numbers. All it takes is dedication. Seattle fans have proven time and again their dedication to their teams, but the Mariners need more support.
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There is still plenty of time to vote for your favorite Mariners. The All Star Game is not until July 14, and the voting does not close until a week or so before first pitch. This link will take you to the voting screen. Don’t worry about voting for undeserving M’s, the Royals’ fans have no shame in this regard and neither should we.
It is up to us to do our job to give Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz a chance to represent our M’s in Cincinnati this July. Let’s get Voting!
Next: Mariners Game Recap: King Felix Hurls Complete Game Shutout
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