by CURRAN McCAULEY
It is hard to believe that we are already nearing the midway point of the 2015 Major League Baseball campaign. After an exhausting October, capped by a thrilling seven-game World Series, the usual offseason drama, the optimism and doldrums of spring training and the first two full months of regular season action, we have reached the point in the season where the focus turns to the Midsummer Classic and the resumes that players have built to earn a spot to represent their respective leagues in Cincinnati on July 14th . With some surprise players among the leaders in Wins Above Replacement, there figures to be a near-record number of first time All-Star selections. Here are five WAR standouts who may very well make their mark on the shores of the Ohio River.
1. Chris Archer – RHP – Tampa Bay Rays
It’s become increasingly hard to ignore what Archer is doing in Tampa Bay, as the Rays have been right in the thick of the AL East conversation despite lukewarm expectations. With the Lightning’s Stanley Cup Run taking the headlines in the “other” Bay Area, Archer has put together a resume that is almost certain to land him a nod on the AL squad, potentially in a starting capacity. On Sunday, Archer, a North Carolina native, became the first pitcher in 100 years (!) to reach double-digit strikeouts without surrendering a walk in three straight starts after shutting down the Seattle Mariners .
Over the three-start run to the history books, Archer has allowed only one earned run while striking out a ridiculous 38 batters in just 23 innings. Fangraphs has Archer at a 2.8 WAR, easily tops among starting pitchers. His bread-and-butter pitch, a wicked slider, has baffled hitters all season and will likely be featured early in Ned Yost’s pitching plans in the Buckeye State.
2. Dallas Keuchel – LHP – Houston Astros
Another young stud pitcher on a surprise team in the American League, Keuchel has sprinted to the forefront of the early Cy Young discussion despite a relatively low number of strikeouts (67 in 87.2 IP), holding a 7-1 record with a 1.85 ERA. The former Arkansas Razorback has amassed a 2.2 WAR, just behind Archer according to Fangraphs. His fielding prowess led to a 2014 Gold Glove and a 2014 Fielding Bible Award, and he remains the 2015 leader on the mound in various fielding categories.
Keuchel, a member of the final-vote ballot last season, will have a chance to start the All-Star Game this year as the Astros have shown that their hot start is no fluke, holding the second- best record in the American League. Mixing speeds and location has been Keuchel’s strength and the lefty sinkerballer has the potential to take the Astros deep into October well ahead of their predicted 2017 championship.
3. Brandon Crawford – SS – San Francisco Giants
Crawford has been one of the NL’s best stories this season, as he has emerged from a glove-first, hitting-second type of player into the complete package, with a middle-of-the-order type bat that has led San Francisco to a start reminiscent of its recent October dominance. Crawford leads all MLB shortstops in WAR at 2.3 according to Fangraphs, placing well ahead of struggling NL mainstays like Troy Tulowitzki and Starlin Castro.
Behind media darlings like Hunter Pence and Buster Posey in the lineup, Crawford leads all NL shortstops in RBI (38) and is second in OPS to Jhonny Peralta (.905). Although Peralta might take the starting role in Cincy, Crawford is a good bet to snag a reserve role, even if it takes an assist from NL and Giants manager Bruce Bochy to get him there. Bochy has a history of rewarding his own guys for their contributions, as Ryan Vogelsong took home a 2011 nod and Marco Scutaro was elected in 2013.
4. Trevor Rosenthal – RHP – St. Louis Cardinals
Potentially to the chagrin of fans of snubbed starters, the All-Star Game has traditionally been a showcase for fireball relievers. Who can forget Heath Bell’s slide at the 2011 game or Mariano Rivera’s send-off in 2013? Fans love closers and the top reliever on the top team in baseball is as close to a shoe-in as it gets. Rosenthal is no fluke, either. The Kansas City product owns a 0.7 WAR according to Fangraphs, a number that is fourth amongst NL relievers. His 19 saves is good for the NL lead and his 97% strand-rate is also tops in the senior circuit. Expect Bruce Bochy to go to the Cardinals’ closer if his team has the lead in the 9th frame at Great American Ballpark.
5. Joc Pederson – OF – Los Angeles Dodgers
Here’s where things get tantalizing. Joc Pederson is looking to become an All-Star in his rookie season patrolling center field for the Dodgers, who look as good as advertised after an offseason overhaul that added pieces to an already stacked lineup and rotation. The rookie has arrived in a major way, signaling the start of a second wave of young position player talent (along with Kris Bryant and Carlos Correa) this decade that has the potential to eclipse the Trout-Harper-Machado axis that has captivated the baseball world and reinvigorated the game in many markets.
Pederson leads all rookies in WAR at 3.1, easily pulling past Bryant in the NL Rookie of the Year discussion. His 17 homers from the leadoff spot have sent Los Angeles into a fervor and it looks like Pederson will be a Players’ selection to the NL squad. If he falls into the final vote conversation, expect Dodger fans to send him to GABP my any means possible.
Look for these five players in what should be an all-timer in MLB’s oldest city. The next time they take the national stage may very well be deep into October.
Nice article!