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Minnesota Twins: Predicting the AL All-Star roster and which Twins should make the cut

By Otto Johnson

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 18: Outfielders Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins, Byron Buxton #25 and Max Kepler #26 celebrate after a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 18, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Twins won 18-4. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - MAY 18: Outfielders Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins, Byron Buxton #25 and Max Kepler #26 celebrate after a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 18, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Twins won 18-4. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 15: Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run as Brad Boxberger #26 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during the fourth inning of the game on June 15, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 15: Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run as Brad Boxberger #26 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during the fourth inning of the game on June 15, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Which Twins could make the cut?

For the folks at home who are counting, that leaves 7 spots left for Twins players. Here’s why each one should make the cut:

C.J. Cron (1.9 WAR): Cron is third among AL first basemen in batting average, second in slugging percentage, second in WAR, fourth in home runs, and second in RBI. His all-around success and good defensive play has earned him a spot in his first Midsummer Classic.

Eddie Rosario (2.3 WAR): Eddie leads the Twins team and the entire AL in RBIs to add on to a .282 BA and 87 hits, good for fourth among AL outfielders. Rosario has played better than almost all of his peers but fails to get respect because of his location. It will be a stunner if he doesn’t make the team come later today even if he’s unable to play due to an ankle injury.

Nelson Cruz (1.4 WAR): Cruz is one of the few DH-only players in the MLB, but his 15 HR, 44 RBI, and .890 OPS help play as one of the best designated hitters in the game. His leadership skills and importance to the team are a necessity, and Cruz will likely be pushed in because of this.

Max Kepler (2.7 WAR): Kepler was the most disappointing player left out of the starter ballot from the Twins team, as his 21 homers are second among AL outfielders and his 2.7 WAR and 51 RBIs finish fifth among that same group, while his .873 OPS finishes sixth. Kepler has put together the best season of his career.

Byron Buxton (2.9 WAR): Now this may draw some criticism, but the leagues’ fastest and best defensive player belongs in the game. He’s tied for second among AL outfielders in dubles and his WAR is third best in the league. Defense supposedly wins championships, and that’s a big reason Buxton is rated as highly as he is.

Jose Berrios (2.0 WAR): Berrios is a Cy Young competitor with an 8-4 record, a 2.89 ERA, and a 1.08 WHIP. He is the ace of one of the league’s best teams and will certainly be chosen to make his second appearance as an All-Star.

Jake Odorizzi (2.3 WAR): Arguably the easiest choice on the team outside of Polanco, Odorizzi has had a career season, with a shining 10-3 record, a fifth-in-the-AL 2.73 ERA, and good defensive metrics to back it up. He will earn his first All-Star nod later today.

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