All-Star Roster Reactions

As I'm sure most of you are aware, the 2013 All-Star game rosters were released on Saturday. With the release of the All-Star game rosters inevitably comes a whole lot of discussion. Fans discuss which players were snubbed, which players undeservingly made the team, and which player from each league deserves the "Final Vote" to make the roster. For today's column, I will highlight some reactions of my own that I had when looking at the all-star game roster:


1. Voters love the home run:

The first thing that popped out to me while looking at the all-star rosters is just how much fans love the home run. Of the 18 position players elected starters by the fans, 13 of them are in the top-two of their respective position in home runs (top-six for outfielders). It is clear that fans are enticed by the home run. That is why Jose Bautista was elected a starter over Jacoby Ellsbury and why Robinson Cano was given the nod as the starting second baseman over Dustin Pedroia. Home runs are exciting to watch, and fans would rather see home run hitters start the all-star game than scrappy base stealers with sky-high on-base percentages.

2. The Baltimore Orioles are taking the MLB by storm: 

It seems like just yesterday that the Baltimore Orioles were the laughing stock of Major League Baseball. Having not made the postseason in 15 years and spending more time at the bottom of the AL East standings than Jose Canseco spent at the pharmacy, no one took the Orioles seriously. After nearly taking the AL East least season and securing a playoff berth, the Orioles are now no team to be joked with and the all-star roster reflects just that. Having one third of the starting lineup being Baltimore Orioles players and yet another Oriole coming off the bench, it is safe to say that the Orioles are the real deal.

3. The American League is loaded with depth at the 3rd base position:

The fact that Evan Longoria (.280/.366/.525 with 17 HR and 49 RBI), Adrian Beltre (.308/.350/.524 with 18 HR and 47 RBI), Josh Donaldson (.319/.388/.536 with 15 HR and 57 RBI), and Kyle Seager (.286/.348/.478 with 13 HR and 41 RBI) all missed out on making the all-star roster really points to how strong the 3rd base position is in the American League right now. Looking at those stats, the casual baseball fan would say that it is an outrage that these players were left off of the all-star roster. However, when you look at the two third basemen that made the all-star game roster over these studs, you can understand how they were left out. Miguel Cabrera is a freak of nature. He is on pace to hit .368 with 52 home runs and 168 RBI. We could potentially be looking at the best offensive season by a single player in the history of the MLB. The other AL 3rd baseman to make the all-star roster is Manny Machado. He is only 2nd in the AL in hits, 1st in the AL in WAR, and 1st in the AL in doubles as he is on pace to break Earl Webb's record for doubles in a single season. To put it simply, the American League is stacked with third basemen and it is fun to watch.

Despite what many others think of the all-star game, I always look forward to watching the game. I love seeing the best batters going against the best hitters on prime-time television under the big lights. It's always a fun time. I expect this years game to be just as fun as ever.