Minnesota Twins: The case for each potential MLB All-Star Game starter
The Minnesota Twins have four players who will be in the MLB All-Star Starters Election, which begins on Wednesday afternoon.
The first half has been remarkable for the Minnesota Twins. Heading into the final weeks before the All-Star break, the Twins owned the best record in the American League (50-27 entering Tuesday) and featured a lineup that has hit the most home runs in Major League Baseball.
With success like that, it’s no surprise that the Twins have four representatives that will be a part of the first ever MLB All-Star Game Starters Election. The voting process, which begins Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT, will determine the starters for the MLB All-Star Game which will take place in Cleveland on July 9.
Unlike recent years, the Twins have several players who are worth a spot in the American League’s starting lineup. Unfortunately, with the process being a popularity contest, some of the players that should be in the mix to start might not get the opportunity.
That’s where this article will come in handy. As a voter, it’s worth being informed when you go to the (virtual) polls and while there are many worthwhile options out there, we’ll make the case as to why the Twins should have a starter (or four) in the All-Star Game.
Jorge Polanco – SS
If there is one Twin that should be voted in as an All-Star starter, it should be Jorge Polanco. Questions were raised when the Twins gave Polanco a five-year extension prior to spring training (along with another Twin that should be in this vote) coming off a season in which he picked up an 80-game PED suspension, but he has answered those questions with a breakout season.
Entering Tuesday, the shortstop ranked second in batting average (.326) behind New York’s D.J. LeMahieu (.331) and has also added 11 HR and 38 RBI. On top of that, Polanco has been an all-around factor for the Twins, ranking fifth in the American League and first among AL shortstops with 3.8 wins above replacement.
Polanco’s impact on the Twins can’t be understated as he’s become a catalyst for a team that ranks first in runs per game. While he doesn’t have the star power of his opponents (Carlos Correa of Houston and Gleyber Torres of New York), the 25-year old is on his way to becoming one of the top shortstops in all of baseball which in itself deserves a nod to start the All-Star game.
C.J. Cron – 1B
Last winter, the move to acquire C.J. Cron from the Tampa Bay Rays basically went under the radar. Despite coming off a season where he had hit 30 home runs, the Rays put him on waivers in a cost-cutting move and the Twins basically got a middle of the lineup force for nothing.
Although he eventually had to win the job over Tyler Austin and Lucas Duda, Cron was able to pass that test and thrive once he was inserted into the Twins everyday lineup. Entering Tuesday, Cron was hitting a career high .281 average and .538 slugging percentage thanks to 17 home runs and 50 RBI.
Along with playing steady defense at first base, Cron has been a sufficient upgrade to Joe Mauer, who hit .282, but had just six home runs and 48 RBI last season while hitting leadoff. While both players play a different style, it’s hard to argue the impact that Cron has had on the Twins lineup.
To crack the All-Star game’s starting lineup, Cron will have to overtake Cleveland’s Carlos Santana and New York’s Luke Voit. While both have matched the power that Cron has brought to the Twins this year, the all-around impact that Minnesota’s first baseman had should serve as a tiebreaker.
Nelson Cruz – DH
Many voters won’t take into account the impact a player has had off the field, but if they did, Nelson Cruz would have a great advantage in his race to be the starting designated hitter for the American League.
When the Twins signed Cruz last winter, they were getting a major force for the middle of their lineup. However, they were also getting some veteran leadership that may not have had a strong presence last season. With Cruz in the fold, he’s been a great influence on some of the younger players like Max Kepler while also taking the load off the shoulders of others such as Byron Buxton.
On the field, Cruz has been as advertised. Despite missing a stretch of games in May with a wrist injury, the 38-year old has hit .266 with 13 HR and 36 RBI.
Cruz’s competition for the DH spot will be tough as Boston’s J.D. Martinez and Texas’ Hunter Pence are in the midst of strong seasons, but Cruz’s resume is good enough to get some votes and possibly find himself starting for the American League.
Eddie Rosario – OF
In the past two seasons, Eddie Rosario was one of the biggest snubs for the All-Star game. This year, he’ll probably get to go one way or another, but he has his opportunity to be a starter with the new voting format.
Over that timeframe, Rosario has put up the numbers to be worthy of a spot on the American League roster, but has been passed over. In 2017, Rosario hit .290 with 27 HR and 78 RBI, but didn’t get the call. In 2018, a hot first half helped Rosario hit .288 with 24 HR and 77 RBI on the season, but again, he was passed over.
This year, Rosario has comparable numbers to his recent All-Star campaign but has done so in the first half. The 27-year old has seen a decline in his average (.269), but has made up for it by smacking 20 home runs (6th in AL entering Tuesday) and driving in 59 RBI (2nd in the AL).
After driving in two more runs in Wednesday’s win over Tampa Bay, Rosario has the numbers to be an All-Star starter. Problem is, he’ll face a full-blown popularity contest in the outfield that involves eight other outfielders including the entire Houston outfield (George Springer, Josh Redick, Michael Brantley) and New York’s Aaron Judge, who has barely played this year, but is one of the most popular players in the game.
Former Twins prospect Alex Meyer retires. dark. Next
Fan voting has been a fickle process throughout the years, but if there is one instance where it should go right, it should be having Rosario start in the All-Star Game.