Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Harper 2nd among OF in All-Star voting

USA Today Sports Images
Bryce Harper's recent injury woes haven't made him any less popular at the ballot box.

Harper ranks second among National League outfielders and third among all NL players in voting for the All-Star Game, released today by Major League Baseball.

Harper has received 1,182,532 votes so far, just narrowly behind the Braves' Justin Upton (1,184,249) for the lead among NL outfielders. The only NL player to receive more votes than either of those two: Giants catcher Buster Posey (1,275,946).

No other members of the Nationals lineup rank in the top five at any of the infield positions or catcher, or in the top 15 at outfielder. Pitchers are not voted on by fans.

Harper's tally clearly shows his popularity around the sport. Though his April numbers (.344 batting average, nine homers, 18 RBI) put him in the early discussion for league MVP, his production tailed off considerably in May (.193, three homers, five RBI), coinciding with two collisions with the right field wall (April 29 in Atlanta, May 13 in Los Angeles). On Saturday, the Nationals placed him on the 15-day DL with bursitis in his left knee; he's eligible to return on Monday.

A last-minute addition to the All-Star team last summer as a 19-year-old, Harper this year would be voted in as a starter if he holds his voting position. The only other player in Nationals history voted in as an All-Star starter was Alfonso Soriano in 2006.

Final rosters will be announced July 7, with the Midsummer Classic to be held July 16 at New York's Citi Field. Here's the full voting release from MLB...

CATCHER
1. Buster Posey      Giants        1,275,956
2. Yadier Molina     Cardinals       938,911
3. John Buck         Mets            523,843
4. Jonathan Lucroy   Brewers         313,574
5. Brian McCann      Braves          285,600

FIRST BASE
1. Joey Votto        Reds          1,044,742
2. Brandon Belt      Giants          513,371
3. Paul Goldschmidt  Diamondbacks    473,513
4. Adrian Gonzalez   Dodgers         464,845
5. Freddie Freeman   Braves          438,868

SECOND BASE
1. Brandon Phillips  Reds          1,019,240
2. Marco Scutaro     Giants          801,754
3. Chase Utley       Phillies        524,219
4. Matt Carpenter    Cardinals       439,239
5. Dan Uggla         Braves          384,462

THIRD BASE
1. Pablo Sandoval    Giants        1,094,475
2. David Wright      Mets            967,299
3. Chris Johnson     Braves          386,811
4. David Freese      Cardinals       375,428
5. Todd Frazier      Reds            343,201

SHORTSTOP
1. Troy Tulowitzki   Rockies       1,025,844
2. Brandon Crawford  Giants          668,140
3. Jean Segura       Brewers         554,403
4. Andrelton Simmons Braves          372,844
5. Pete Kozma        Cardinals       311,852

OUTFIELD
1. Justin Upton      Braves        1,184,249
2. Bryce Harper      Nationals     1,182,532
3. Ryan Braun        Brewers         945,665
4. Carlos Beltran    Cardinals       847,924
5. Shin-Soo Choo     Reds            743,755
6. Hunter Pence      Giants          624,972
7. Andrew McCutchen  Pirates         576,201
8. Angel Pagan       Giants          572,400
9. Matt Holliday     Cardinals       491,629
10. Carlos Gonzalez  Rockies         482,719
11. Gregor Blanco    Giants          475,662
12. Carlos Gomez     Brewers         472,272
13. B.J. Upton       Braves          420,104
14. Matt Kemp        Dodgers         389,372
15. Jay Bruce        Reds            374,852

75 comments:

baseballswami said...

I hate the way this works -mostly a popularity contest for the big name teams, but Bryce certainly is must see tv.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Justin Upton #1? Have you seen his stats lately.

Eric said...

Unfortunately, the same could be said about Harper being #2...

Section 222 said...

This seems about right. Can we honestly say that any other Nat position player deserves to be on the team?

It definitely adds insult to injury that Pete "F-ing" Kozma is ahead of Desi.

Rabbit34 said...

Excluding Harper, it just show you how disappointing the Nationals are this year. The concern is that they ARE playing up to their potential.

Rabbit34 said...

I agree with swami. Since we can stuff ballot boxes the voting is not credible. MLB teams need to vote-in the all-stars. I was at a game and saw this little girl punching out her team players over and over again. That's credible?! I don't think so.

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

I love Harper, but no way does he deserve to be an all-star this year. Way too many good outfielders in the NL. Cargo, Braun, Marte, Choo, McCutchen, Dominic Brown, Beltran, Carlos Gomez and Hunter Pence all deserve it over him. Jordan Zimmermann is our only truly deserving all-star. Strasburg will have a shot if he has a few more good outings.

Nats 128 said...

Shortstop voting is a joke.

natsfan1a said...

Seriously. How could a little girl punch out a grown man, let alone nine of them?

Rabbit34 said...

I agree with swami. Since we can stuff ballot boxes the voting is not credible. MLB teams need to vote-in the all-stars. I was at a game and saw this little girl punching out her team players over and over again. That's credible?! I don't think so.
June 04, 2013 2:07 PM

alexva said...

whether you agree with the voting process or not to say "no way he deserves to be an all star" is just being a hater

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

Saying that he deserves to be an all-star over any of the guys I mentioned is being a "moron"...stats don't lie!!!

natsfan1a said...

Wait, what? Eh, fan voting is here to stay, but at least the players and managers get to pick some reserves as well. One time before a Nats game I was diligently filling out ballots along team/party lines at the ballpark. A Yankees fan mocked me for ballot-box stuffing. I was like, hey, I'm trying to win a giveaway here. We all know your guys will all get voted in, anyway. He's like, haha, at least you know the truth. What-ever. :-)

NatsLady said...

Hagerstown's Tony Renda (INF), Pedro Severino (C), Brandon Miller (OF). Dixon Anderson (P), Robert Benincase and Ivan Pineyro (P) were selected for the All-Star team in the SAL league.

The manager is Tripp Keister of Hagerstown.

All Stars

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130604&content_id=49518236&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb&tcid=tw_share#article_comments_contents

Section 222 said...

Tick tock. If Werth is going to play tonight, a move has to be made pretty soon, right?

Section 222 said...

On this, I hope we all can agree: Tripp Keister is an awesome baseball manager's name!

NatsLady said...

Was I the little girl? (Well, not so little). I got a bobble head and a bag for punching. Some lady did 10,000 and got a tour of the dugout.

natsfan1a said...

Truly, and as we all know, managers are hired to be canned. What?

Section 222 said...

On this, I hope we all can agree: Tripp Keister is an awesome baseball manager's name!
June 04, 2013 2:18 PM

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

Section 222 - "On this, I hope we all can agree: Tripp Keister is an awesome baseball manager's name!"

+1

natsfan1a said...

Not to make the guy the butt of jokes or anything.

alexva said...

"stats don't lie" in fact they don't speak at all, their stats, they don't have a voice.

Harper has been one of the most exciting players of the early season, he carried his team until he was hurt and at that time had the best stats of all. if you feel that is not all star material so be it

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Rabbit34 said...
Excluding Harper, it just show you how disappointing the Nationals are this year. The concern is that they ARE playing up to their potential.


The Nats have at least 2 All Star pitchers in JZim and Stras and possibly even Rafael Soriano. The Nats could possibly have the same more in amount of All Stars this year as last year.

NatsLady said...

There is a minor leaguer named "Rock Shoulders."

Name

http://baseballcontinuum.com/2013/06/04/there-is-a-minor-leaguer-named-rock-shoulders/

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

So alexva...please tell me which of the 9 guys I listed does he deserve to make over this year??? You seriously cannot make a case for any of them except for maybe Beltran. You should hop off the bandwagon every now and then, there are tons of "exciting" players in this league.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

Meh... These are fan driven events... makes the fans feel good that they had a say in them...

But more importantly, has HRod or Duke been DFA'd to make room for Werth yet...

Or has Espi been put on the DL to make room for Werth?

Section 222 said...

"stats don't lie" in fact they don't speak at all, their stats, they don't have a voice.

And they don't, know how, to read.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Doesn't deserve to be an All Star this year,,,,

This hoary statement gets trotted out every year. So tiresome.

So, if Babe Ruth has a substandard first half of the season in a given year, he doesn't belong in the All Star game? This is not the NFL. The season is half over and there is little or no reason to impute much in the way of significance to such results, ever more so since the voting is conducted way before the season is one third over.

Here are the facts: Tyler Clippard was in an All Star game and after a dominating performance, garnered the win. Fans want to see the most talented and exciting players in the game. They have little or no interest in seeing guys who are mediocre with huge babips or unusual numbers of fly balls going for homers in the classic, all things being equal.

Bryce is arguably the most popular player in the game and almost certainly the most popular young player. Kids love Bryce in a way that they don't love Strasburg or Zimmerman or Zimmerman or Stanton or Machado or Trout.

Harper plays with gusto and hell yeah he belongs in the All Star game.

Eugene in Oregon said...

Everyone always mocks Chicago for its ballot-stuffing, but look at the 1B and SS results -- 2B and 3B are at least marginally defensible and I'm fine with C -- and defend the Giants' campaign to include every Giant position player as a starter. And BJ Upton as #13 among OFs? Please.

All-star voting is a function of ballot-stuffing by home teams, national name recognition/popularity, HRs, appearances on Sports Center's top-10 highlights, last year's production, career production, and -- in last place -- this season's overall value. It would be fun one year to have the fan-elected all-stars play a WAR-based all-star team. There would be some overlap, of course, but nothing that couldn't be worked around.

Jane Elizabeth said...

The Reds had 7 players elected to the All Star game in 1957 and of course, the NL got stomped by the AL, losing 6-5. Frank Robinson had no business being there and Gus Bell and Wally Post, well those guys just sucked.

alexva said...

just for kicks, show me how Hunter Pence is so much more deserving

Section 222 said...

William O., I'm with you on Harper "deserving" to be an All Star. But your memory fails you on Clipp's all star performance. He vultured that win, after giving up a hit to the only batter he faced, and being saved from letting a run score by a great throw to the plate by none other than Hunter Pence. Hardly a dominating performance.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

It's now after 2:30EST and all the Nats should be at the ballpark between now and 3PM.

Kobernus is certainly the easy call for 1 spot. Strasburg possibly to the DL for another.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

I can tell you through my sources 100% that Corey Brown isn't getting called up before this game. It was wishful thinking and the right move. Another fail as he would be an upgrade for the 3rd outfielder.

David Proctor said...

This time last year the Cardinals were 28-27. The Tigers were 25-29.

Jane Elizabeth said...

Rabbit34 said... I saw a little girl....

Little girls are allowed to vote for All Star players? Shocking!

When did women get the right to vote....?

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

While Corey may be a marginal improvement over Roger Bernadina he's hot now and it gives Davey another strong option if he starts to bring in Bernadina late in the game.

Kobernus won't be used and has been sitting so long his bat isn't worth swinging.

Tcostant said...

Harper has star power, makes sense.

For something complete different, I just heard on MLB radio that the Astos has move homers than the Nationals. Unreal!

Jane Elizabeth said...

I love Section 222, and what a great name for a screen name--my son and I remember your name better than anyone else's on here and ---sshhh--I love those seats--- and I really, really love keeping my tongue in cheek.... Has there ever been a less deserving win by a pitcher in the All Star game than Clippard's performance in that one, God bless him and his new twin teammate who looks just like him on the mound?

But Tyler can still embellish for his grandchildren....

Section 222 said...

Hmm. The press releases announcing five of the last six roster moves were time stamped between 2:59 and 3:56 pm in the time zone where the Nats were playing at the time. The only exception was the announcement that Det was going on the DL, which happened on Memorial Day morning at 11 am, prior to the Nats day game that day vs. the O's.

I'm guessing we'll hear something in the next 1.25 hours.

Section 222 said...

True that William O. They can never take that win away from him. And I'm sorry I didn't notice the tongue planted firmly in cheeck.

NatsLady said...

>I can tell you through my sources 100% that Corey Brown isn't getting called up before this game.

Never thought he was.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section 222 said...
Hmm. The press releases announcing five of the last six roster moves were time stamped between 2:59 and 3:56 pm in the time zone where the Nats were playing at the time. The only exception was the announcement that Det was going on the DL, which happened on Memorial Day morning at 11 am, prior to the Nats day game that day vs. the O's.

I'm guessing we'll hear something in the next 1.25 hours.


They generally do it once the player arrives at the park and make it official before a member of the media sees the player packing up his locker.

Since Corey Brown isn't coming I'm guessing 1 roster move and it may be as simple as Stras to the DL or Kobernus back to AAA.

Still waiting for Krol promotion to AAA or Nats Park.

Alphabet Soup Erik said...

Listen guys, I love Harper as much as the rest of you, but most of you would be the same ones bitching and moaning if he played for the Braves or Phillies. At least I am consistent. I agree to a point that Harper's excitement is good for the AS Game, but those annual selections (despite poor starts) have to be earned. He hasn't done that yet. You can't keep guys like Cargo1, Cargo2 and Choo off of the team because "he is Bryce Harper." Hopefully he gets hot for a month and earns his way onto the team. Right now, though, he is somewhere in that 12-15 range for me. It's not like this team is winning either.

NatsLady said...

Clip's "win" tickled me to death, especially when he was getting interviewed on National TV as the winning pitcher. That was some throw from Hunter Pence, took me a while to realize he ain't the greatest outfielder.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

NatsLady said...
>I can tell you through my sources 100% that Corey Brown isn't getting called up before this game.

Never thought he was.


There was speculation and hope by some to get his hot bat here. We can put that one to rest for another day.

Section 222 said...

He has a weird throwing motion too. Maybe he and Zim should talk.

NatsLady said...

Well, off to work. By the time I log on from there, we should know what the roster move(s) are. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, that's for sure.

Section 222 said...

Lots of "undeserving" guys have started all-star games. Cargo1, Cargo2, Choo, and McCutcheon, will get on the team. They invite pretty much everyone and his brother to play these days.

Nats 128 said...

Natslady "Never thought he was". I never thought he was either and its becuz Rizzo just can't make a move that makes sense.

You bring in Eury Perez and dont pinch run him in consecutive games for Adam Laroche or Chad Tracy. Daveys excuse "I wanted him to know what it felt like being on base" with the big toothy grin. No, you play the percentages. You have players with certain Plus skills use them.

Kobernus can at least pinch run. His bat isnt worth a thing now as he has been dormant for so long.

Section 222 said...

I didn't think he was because he would have tweeted it by now.

NatsLady said...

I never thought he was because Roger Bernadina, who has the same defensive skills and baserunnings skills (if not better), is already here, as the LH 4-5 outfielder. A hot bat in AAA doesn't necessarily transfer on day one to the majors. End of story.

alexva said...

wow NatsLady, you have an enviable commute

Jane Elizabeth said...

So you are telling me that If I see Sir Laurence Olivier, but then he gets ill for a bit, that I can't want to see if over some mediocre journeymen who stayed healthy but who clearly lack his talent?

Maybe not the perfect metaphor but there is no one in baseball in the NL that I would rather see than Bryce. Yes, unfortunately there are many in the AL like Cabrera, Teixera (similar to Bryce this year), Trout, Crush, Hardy and Machado, but in the long run, Bryce's talent is greater than either Machado's or Trout's, but probably not Cabrera's.

baseballswami said...

Our guys won't get in because we are mad at them. We are not homers. Other fans vote their favorites in no matter how they are playing- that's obvious. The Giants seem to have voting machines in their basements. They vote so much. I am thinking that if we are still struggling at the ASB and the Angels are still basement dwellers, then Harper and Trout will participate in the home run derby.

Nats 128 said...

"alexva said...
wow NatsLady, you have an enviable commute"

She also has this know it all edge today. Chill.

Give me 2 Bernadina types who are toolsy and can help in many ways and I will give you Chad Tracy who has done nothing but a 370 foot HR that just snuck over the wall. Over 1/3 finished in the season and we have a lousy bat on the bench.

Corey Brown went 4-5 last night with 2 blasts and a double and spectacular defense.

Hot bats translate in short term to Majors. Yes, send him back in a 10 days however get the short term benefit.

This lineup and bench is littered with sub Mendoza guys. I think we can find room for Corey Brown.

Nats 128 said...

The Nats have DFA'd 2 players.

RHP Chris McKenzie and OF J.R. Higley. Yes, Low A Hagerstown.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Nats128, no those were full releases not DFAs meaning they don't want them back. Something must have happened.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

You asked for change and Rizzo just gave it to you. 2 players released by Hagerstown.

Get Your Re(n)d On said...

So apparently Corey Brown has earned himself a spot on a big league roster, but the Nats have no room for him. The solution is obvious. Trade Corey Brown for organizational shortstop depth, which will allow Espinosa to go on the DL. That then allows Lombo to get the second base job he so truly deserves and Kobernus to become a utility player, thereby getting the playing time he so truly deserves. The removal of Espi's bat from the lineup will be addition by subtraction. Less rallies killed equals more runs scored which allows the starters to go deeper into games. This makes relievers like Duke and HRod superfluous and they can be cut. End result, division title for the Nats.

To borrow from Homer Simpson's line about beer, Corey Brown is the cause of and the solution to all the Nats' problems.

Section 222 said...

NL, you keep insisting that Brown would have to replace Bernadina. He would replace Tracy as the LH bench bat, if it ever happens. It doesn't matter whether the No. 4 and 5 outfielders both bat LH, as long as they are balanced by RH reserve infielders (if bench bat balance is important, which Davey seems to think it is.).

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Section222, exactly. I guess it's a NatsInsider theory and obviously not anybody elses but it makes sense. Corey Brown is en fuego. Does us little good having it done in AAA when you give a try to do it for the Nats.

What's the worst case, he goes 0-10? That's what you get over 2+ games from Tracy and Moore. I only see upside with that move but like I said, it's not happening before today's game.

baseballswami said...

I am trying so hard to be fair and to be a supportive fan, but watching rallies killed, watching one person drag the team down has become do very hard to watch. I just die a little for the hits who worked do hard to get on and get into scoring position. They have got to know what is coming. I am almost afraid he will get an rib tonight and then there will be evidence that he is ok. So on MLB, they talked about Espi and About Zim's throwing. Ouch.

baseballswami said...

Hope you understood my tiny screen typos. Between the teeny letters, fat fingers and auto correct I am often in trouble.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Rendon at Nats Park!

David Proctor said...

Anthony Rendon is at Nats Park...

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Sounds like there will be some that are disappointed that 2 to 3 weeks meant 2 to 3 days.

Rendon re-activated.

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

David, and I will take that beer!

David Proctor said...

Amanda Comak ‏@acomak 36s
Danny Espinosa's locker appears to have been cleaned out in the #nats clubhouse. More information coming.


WOW.

David Proctor said...

H-Rod is packing his stuff too.

David Proctor said...

Woah I just read some tweets saying Espinosa is headed to AAA, not the DL.

baseballswami said...

The stealth purge is in effect. Ian Kroll is in the bullpen, duke is not. Who is Kroll??? Duke dfa also?

MrsB loves the Nats said...

OMG... Lots of moves are happening!!!!

baseballswami said...

Sweet fancy Moses!!! Espi to Aaa, duke and HRod dfa, Rendon up, Weth back, kroll in the pen. Who is he???? It's a blood bath.

MrsB loves the Nats said...

I wanted all these moves to happen... Minue Rendon coming up right now... But I am glad for this...

Teach people a lesson in accountability...

Next, Tyler Moore to the Cuse and Marerro called up... That is what I want, anyway...

baseballswami said...

Well this ought to shake things up. Remember to let things settle in. Rendon on the bench. MLB network clueless right now.

Section 222 said...

Went to a meeting at 3:30 and Holy Crap!

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