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All-Star voting, Part I

Saturday, April 23, 2005

All-Star balloting opened up earlier this week, so I decided to cast my first of approximately 25 ballots today. Most of my votes are awarded based on statistical merit in 2005, but I'm a fan first and a stat-head second. I'm thrilled when the stats will support a vote for a guy like Torii Hunter, and Ichiro!, but I'll vote for a guy like Aramis Ramirez even if he isn't having the best season among NL third basemen.

Teams with players receiving two votes: Cubs, Marlins, Orioles, Tigers.

Teams with players receiving one vote: Dodgers, Rockies, Phillies, Astros, White Sox, Yankees, Angels, Twins, Mariners.

Notes and discussion:

• I gave Aramis Ramirez the hometown vote. At this point, I should have voted for Chipper Jones, but Aramis Ramirez is awesome, and he totally got jobbed last year. Aramis has all 25 of my votes locked up.
• I can't believe I voted for Jeff Kent. He is one of my least favorite players, but so far he is having a heckuva season... and Todd Walker is hurt.
• Alex Rodriguez has performed well so far, but probably wasn't the best pick at third base. In a purely statistical approach, I probably should have voted for Brandon Inge who is currently sporting a .369/.446/.569 (Avg/OBP/SLG) with 2 home runs, 16 runs, 11 RBI, and 37 total bases. In comparison, A-Rod has a .270/.325/.500 line with 4 home runs, 14 runs, 14 RBI, and 37 total bases. So, yeah A-Rod got the vote because of his prior-year performances... but I would rather see A-Rod start the All-Star game than Brandon Inge.
• Ivan Rodriguez has had a stellar start, but hasn't necessarily distanced himself from the rest of the pack. I was sorely tempted to vote for Jason Varitek... but I-Rod is one of my favorite players in baseball. I still wish the Cubs had signed him last year... plus the game is being played in Detroit this year.
• Other than Pat Burrell who is hitting .328/.403/.625 with 5 home runs, 8 runs, 20 RBI, and 40 total bases... there aren't any sure-fire picks in the NL outfield. This is a league that used to have Sammy and Barry with virtual locks on a starting spot... now its pretty much wide open. I feel very comfortable with Miguel Cabrera, but something tells me I probably won't be voting for Jason Lane for too much longer. (I was tempted to vote for Jeromy Burnitz, but figured I'd already given one home-town discount.)
• At NL Shortsop, I voted for C. Barmes... wasn't even sure of what his first name was (Clint) but his stats indicate he is clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the field so far.

You too can vote for the All-Star starting lineups. I just ask that you keep my man Aramis Ramirez in mind.

Posted by Byron at April 23, 2005 1:43 PM | |

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