I for one love the concept of the Final Vote. Major League Baseball gives the fans one last chance to right a wrong from themselves or the managers. The only way a player could get in after the fact beforehand was through an injury replacement. While many of those still come to pass every year, the Final Vote still has a special feeling to it. Teams and their respective fanbases put together elaborate social media campaigns to vote their guy in. Many pregame and postgame interviews end up looking like this. Two days of frenetic voting ensue and it is fantastic. But who will you choose to be the final representative in each league in San Diego? Let’s take a look at the candidates.
AMERICAN LEAGUE NOMINEES
MICHAEL SAUNDERS, OF (TORONTO BLUE JAYS)
The Blue Jays are renown for their offense. 1-9 this lineup can mash with the best of them. One player that has emerged as a new force for the Jays is Michael Saunders. Saunders was a perennial underachiever with the Mariners. His first season in Toronto was wiped out, save nine games, by injury. However, this year has been much different for the Canadian slugger. With the exception of stolen bases, Saunders is on pace to torch his personal record book this season. His OPS is over 100 points better than his second best output. He’s put on a show since being on the ballot, driving in the game tying and winning runs against the Royals to complete a sweep.
GEORGE SPRINGER, OF (HOUSTON ASTROS)
Springer is part of the young corps of Astros that should keep the team relevant well into the next decade. He came up with the expectations of being a 20-20 threat, but injuries have been quite the dampener of those. This year the right fielder has stayed healthy and has been vital to Houston’s reawakening after a sleepwalking start to 2016. His patience at the plate has helped him target career highs in many statistical categories. He is nearing career bests in home runs and walks. He’s already set a new one for runs scored. Springer’s strikeout rate has dropped more than 6%, one of the more eye opening changes in his approach.
DUSTIN PEDROIA, 2B (BOSTON RED SOX)
The Laser Show has been on full display in 2016. Pedroia is hitting over .300 for the first time in three years and is second only to MVP front runner Jose Altuve among AL second basemen. His inclusion in the Final Vote seems to be more of a “We need a Red Sox guy in here” move more than one of merit, but that shouldn’t be a reason to vote otherwise. Sure Pedroia’s bat is making its usual noise, but his glove is speaking greater volumes about his impact on the 2016 Sox. His seven defensive runs saved is most by a second baseman this year. It is also more than the total of both current AL All-Star second basemen, Robinson Cano and Altuve, combined.
IAN KINSLER, 2B (DETROIT TIGERS)
Kinsler has long been the victim of the talent logjam at second base in the American League. This is Kinsler’s second time on the Final Vote ballot, losing to Brandon Inge in 2009. But much like the San Francisco Giants with the World Series, Ian Kinsler has even year magic when it comes to making the All-Star Game. Ian has been an All-Star in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. Kinsler’s OPS (.848) is his highest since 2008. His 3.2 WAR is only behind Cano and Altuve in the American League. His 52 RBI are second to only Cano. His 8 SB leaves only Altuve ahead of him.
EVAN LONGORIA, 3B (TAMPA BAY RAYS)
The longest tenured Rays player has a leg up over his Final Vote competition. Longoria is the only player nominated from either league that has won a Final Vote before. He won the 2008 AL Vote en route to winning the Rookie of the Year. After a rough start to 2016, Longoria has himself on pace to best single season marks in both home runs and batting average. Another sign that Longoria is back to 100% is how he looks on the basepaths. Lower body injuries sapped most of his speed and baserunning ability that he showed early on in his career. But while he isn’t stealing bases, he has only hit into four double plays in 2016. His ability to beat out that relay throw is duly noted.
NATIONAL LEAGUE NOMINEES
STARLING MARTE, OF (PITTSBURGH PIRATES)
The Pirates have been an overwhelming disappointment in 2016. But, Starling Marte has not. Marte is hitting .318, third best among NL outfielders, second among left fielders. His 25 stolen bases are second best in the National League. He stole 30 all of last season. But it isn’t just at the plate where Marte is leaving his mark. His 10 defensive runs saved and 9 outfield assists are both tied for tops in the National League for left fielders. Marte is still viewed as the Robin to Andrew McCutchen’s Batman in Pittsburgh, but while Cutch continues to struggle in all facets of his game, Marte is excelling and keeping the Pirates within striking distance of the Wild Card.
RYAN BRAUN, OF (MILWAUKEE BREWERS)
Ryan Braun isn’t the most popular guy among baseball purists these days. Despite him serving his penance for PEDs, his image has taken a big blow. Nevertheless, Braun is on the Final Vote ballot for a reason. His .322 batting average is his highest since his MVP season in 2011. His 13 home runs are fourth among everyday left fielders. Braun has never got the credit he deserves for his defensive exploits either. He is tied with Starling Marte with nine outfield assists from left. His ARM rating of 2.8 is third to Gregory Polanco and Bryce Harper among all NL outfielders.
BRANDON BELT, 1B (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS)
In addition to being a stabilizing force in the Giants lineup, Brandon Belt has been one of the best first basemen in the NL in 2016. He leads the National League in doubles with 27. His .519 slugging percentage is third behind Wil Myers and Anthony Rizzo, both All-Stars. Defensively he’s pretty damn potent too. His 5 defensive runs saved is behind only Rizzo and Paul Goldschmidt, once again both All-Stars. Belt has only 10 home runs in 2016, a paltry number for a corner infielder. But when you see that seven of those ten either gave the Giants the lead or tied the game, it puts that total into a new perspective.
TREVOR STORY, SS (COLORADO ROCKIES)
Story Time isn’t over quite yet. The Opening Day starlet has continued to rake for the Rockies. In addition to leading all rookies in home runs (19), he has the most RBI (51) and second most walks (28). Story made the much maligned Jose Reyes expendable, and now the former All-Star is back in New York. Corey Seager, an All-Star shortstop and fellow rookie, is arguably what kept Story from making the roster outright. But for a player with such a great baseball tale, and great last name for headlines, we have the Final Vote to keep this impressive narrative alive in San Diego.
JAKE LAMB, 3B (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)
We round out the candidates with Arizona’s Jake Lamb. Before we get into more minor details, know that only two slugging percentage leaders since 1962 have missed the All-Star Game. If Lamb (.625 SLG%) isn’t the choice in the Final Vote, that would make three. Lamb’s transition from utility man to lumber lifter for the Diamondbacks has been extraordinary. I talked earlier about Brandon Belt’s home run importance. Lamb’s is even more so the case. 11 of Lamb’s 20 taters have tied the game or given Arizona the lead. 3 of those have come in the 8th inning or beyond, tied for most in the Majors. He also leads the Majors with 7 triples.
With the Final Vote, I personally like to vote for the guys I don’t feel will get another opportunity in the future. One hit wonders if you will. While the first halves of both Michael Saunders and Jake Lamb have been spectacular, I don’t think they will get another chance at an All-Star selection in the future. Saunders has the lead in the AL at the moment, but Lamb has work to do. Either way, the Final Vote will get two deserving members of this decuplet to San Diego for the All-Star Game.