With about a week until the MLB breaks for the All-Star festivities, the Twins are on a mission to close out the first half of the season strong. Currently 6 games out of first place, it has been crucial for Minnesota not to let the top spot get too far out of reach, and they have been delivering. Since June 10th, they are 17-8 winning 7 of 8 series (including a 4-game sweep of the A’s), making up ground in the AL Central. One of those wins coming in the best way yesterday, a walk-off homerun. Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Christian Vázquez hit a towering fly ball to left that won the game for the twins, 3-2.
Winning a division is a marathon, not a sprint, and the Twins are well trained for that after winning the AL Central by a convincing 10-games a year ago. It is so important for teams in a competitive division to keep within striking distance, as entire seasons can change in the final weeks. The Twins are in a good spot heading into the All-Star break, as they have three games against the worst team in baseball, the Chicago White Sox, and three with the second-to-last San Fransisco Giants. Minnesota can really make up some ground before getting some well-deserved rest.
At least one Twins player won’t be getting much rest during the break as Carlos Correa will represent the Twins in the All-Star game this year, the third time in his career but first for Minnesota. The Twins SS is hitting .304 with a .834 OPS and 11 HR’s on the year, he is the only starter the Twins have in the All-Star game. However, there were four Twins named as replacements if needed, those being Joe Ryan, Willi Castro, Ryan Jeffers & Griffin Jax.
While Twins fans are happy for Correa, they feel some of their other stars may have been snubbed out of an All-Star selection. Jose Miranda is one of only 11 players in the majors with a .300+ batting average, .350+ on-base percentage and a .500+ slugging percentage since April 8, when he made his first start. He was not selected.
Some numbers for comparison:
|
Player |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Christian Yellich |
.332 |
.410 |
.518 |
|
Jose Miranda |
.331 |
.373 |
.533 |
|
Aaron Judge |
.322 |
.434 |
.713 |
|
Bobby Witt Jr. |
.321 |
.368 |
.550 |
|
Jurickson Profar |
.320 |
.410 |
.502 |
|
Shohei Ohtani |
.313 |
.405 |
.646 |
|
Bryce Harper |
.305 |
.404 |
.574 |
|
Yordan Alvarez |
.304 |
.388 |
.549 |
|
Gunnar Henderson |
.303 |
.395 |
.621 |
|
Rafael Devers |
.301 |
.381 |
.606 |
|
Carlos Correa |
.300 |
.358 |
.513 |
Willi Castro also had a case for the team but was not selected, here are his numbers compared to Jarren Duran who did make the All-Star team:
|
Player |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
HR |
2B |
3B |
RBI |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jarren Duran |
.275 |
.337 |
.473 |
10 |
24 |
10 |
40 |
|
|
Willi Castro |
.271 |
.357 |
.438 |
7 |
22 |
5 |
29 |
And Griffen Jax, who is listed as an alternate, is the only reliever in the league this year with a sub-2.oo ERA with 12+ K/9 and at least 35 innings.
Every year there are guys who are more deserving than others that don’t make the team, it’s part of MLB politics. Do guys want to add the ‘All-Star’ accolade to their resume? Of course! But I imagine trading the title for a week of rest and time with family is pretty fair in a player’s eyes. The first main event of All-Star week starts on Monday, July 15th with the Home Run Derby.
