With MLB all-star voting now open to the public, which New York Yankees have the best shot at making the mid-summer classic roster?
While we flip the calendar to June, the baseball season is now turning the corner into the dog days of summer and the All-Star fan voting. As we know, the usual superstar Yankees will not be in this year’s All-Star game. However, fans can expect to see a few surprises make the club this year.
The Obvious
Catcher: Gary Sanchez
With Sanchez having his best offensive and defensive season-to-date, it is a no brainer for him to not only make the All-Star team but start. An All-Star in 2017, he followed that up with a disastrous season in 2018 filled with injuries. The resurgence of El Kraken has provided the Yankees with monstrous home runs and timely hitting. With the day off yesterday, he still is the league-wide leader for catchers in home runs, RBI’s, Slugging, and OPS. A mortal lock, it will be exciting to see Sanchez back in the Mid-Summer Classic.
Shortstop: Gleyber Torres
A natural shortstop, Torres was forced to play second in the majors with Didi manning the position for the 2018 season. With the multitude of injuries this year, Torres has fit in nicely at the shortstop position this year. It makes sense that the ballots have him at a shortstop, but that doesn’t mean he won’t play second in the All-Star game. While batting .288 with 14 home runs and 31 RBI’s, he has the best offensive production among both shortstop and second base. Considering he was an All-Star last year, his power numbers are even better this year and he has been a solid defender. Being one of the integral parts of this Yankee lineup, he is sure to be a lock to be on the team for the second time in as many years.
Closer: Aroldis Chapman
While there were concerns over the diminished velocity at the beginning of the season, those doubters have been hushed as the Yankees closer has been phenomenal. Closing out 15 of his 16 save opportunities with a 1.66 ERA, he is sure to get the nod. While there are several other candidates’ worthy of making the club, his 32 strikeouts in 21.2 innings will seem to push him towards the selection.
The “They Deserve To Make It”
The whole bullpen (except for Jonathan Holder & Chad Green)
Those two have honestly started to come into their own as of late, but neither of those guys sniffs the All-Star game. With the bullpen becoming an absolute weapon, it only makes sense most of these guys get recognition. The likes of Zack Britton, Tommy Kahnle, and Adam Ottavino have been absolute studs this year. When a starting pitcher hasn’t been able to produce, the Yankees have been able to count on these guys to have a complete inning of work.
First Baseman: Luke Voit
With Luke Voit batting second for a first-place team, there should always be some consideration. While he is second amongst first basemen in both home runs (14) and RBIs (38), some might think he would be a lock. However, no one knows how fan voting fully works, so hopefully, he gets the nod in his first full season as a starting first basemen.
Second/Third Baseman: DJ LeMahieu
While the power numbers aren’t there, he leads all AL second baseman in average (.313), OBP (.366), and RBI’s (30). He has been the Swiss army knife Yankees fans have hoped for and has lived up to the billing with his stout defense and impeccable hitting with RISP.
With these guys carrying the majority of the load, it only makes sense they are in the conversation. Click here to vote for your very own New York Yankees.