It’s that time of year again….. Major League Baseball’s mid-summer classic is upon us this week as the 89th edition of baseball’s All-Star game takes place in Washington D.C. The festivities begin on Monday night with the 34th annual Home Run Derby, but 24 hours later the best players in the game as voted on by both the fans and the league will take the field and showcase their skills on national television. Just like last year, there will be a host of Latino players participating in this event. The Latino players for both teams will go a long way in deciding who wins this year. Without any further delay, here are the 2018 Hispanic All-Stars for Major League Baseball…
National League
First on the Field
Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs, Infielder
Whether it’s making a clutch hit, stealing home plate, or making an out of this world defensive play, this Puerto Rican native is finally making his first All-Star appearance although he’s made a strong case to do so in seasons past. Baez –a key member of the Cubs 2016 World Series team- has turned himself into a potential MVP candidate with a slash line of .292/.326/.566/.892 with 19 home runs, 72 runs batted in, 61 runs scored, 18 stolen bases, 100 total hits and 194 total bases.
The National League will lean heavily on the 25-year-old as they look to end a five-game losing streak in this series. This Tuesday night Baez will get to show the world what all of the buzz coming out of Chicago’s north side is about.
Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies, Third Base
Making his fourth All-Star appearance, Arenado is having another MVP type of season with an outstanding slash line of his own (.312/.395/.586/.981). He’s also the National League’s second leading home run leader (23), fourth leading RBI man (68), and he also boasts 63 runs scored, 201 total bases, 23 extra base hits, and he’s ready to give American League pitchers fits.
Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs, Catcher
Not only has this Venezuelan-born backstop seen what Javy Baez can do first hand, he’s also done some damage of his own. He has the second-highest batting average of all N.L. catchers (.279), the best on-base percentage (.369), second best slugging percentage (.449), and the top N.L. OPS at his position (.818). Contreras also ranks in the National League catchers’ top five in home runs (7), RBI’s (34), extra base hits (24), and runs scored (33).
This time the voters could no longer ignore what this 26-year old brings to the table.
Answering the Call for Back Up
Jesus Aguilar, Milwaukee Brewers, First Base
Five seasons and two teams into this 28-year-old’s career, Aguilar finally gets his first All-Star nod albeit as the winner of the MLB Final Vote contest. The Brewers are currently second place in the N.L. Central Division thanks in large part to Aguilar’s 24 homers, 70 runs batted in, 169 total bases, and the stability he provides at the heart of the Brewers batting order.
Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds, Third Base
After starting the season in last place, the Reds have been one of the hotter teams in baseball by winning 23 of their last 39 games. Here are Suarez’s contributions to this effort: .312/.399/.574/.973 slash line, 19 home runs, 71 RBI’s, 50 runs scored, 19 extra base hits. Born in Venezuela, Suarez is in his fifth Major League Season and this will be his first-ever trip to the All-Star game.
Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals, Catcher
At 36, the man considered to the best the greatest catcher of today’s generation hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Molina, now a nine-time All-Star, is already considered one of the greatest players to ever come from Puerto Rico. And this year he’s proven himself again with a solid slash line (.274/.315/.474./.789), 13 homers, 41 RBI’s, and 109 total bases. Molina and Contreras will provide a one-two punch behind the plate for the National League this year.
American League
First on the Field
Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox, First Base
While the south side of Chicago is undergoing a painful rebuilding process, Abreu has been one of the more positive aspects of that rebuild. The humble slugger escaped Cuba to play in the big leagues and all he’s done since arriving in the United States is be consistent in the batters box. Since making his MLB debut in 2014 Abreu has had a batting average of .290 or better each year and he’s on pace to do that again in 2018 (currently .250).
He’s also had an on-base percentage of .300 or better every season (currently .311), a slugging percentage of .400 or better (currently .441), and an OPS of .800 or higher (currently .752). He’s also on pace to reach the 30 home run/100 RBI mark again (already at 13 and 52 respectively). The fans recognize his contributions and as such they’ve rewarded him with his second All-Star appearance.
Jose Altuve, Houston Astros, Second Base
He stands at 5-foot-6 and weighs just 165 pounds. But “The little engine that could” for the defending champion Astros has the American League’s second-highest batting average (.332), fifth-highest on-base percentage (.394), and ranks in the top-20 in both slugging (.455) and OPS (.865). He also makes some big plays on defense. Heading into his sixth All-Star game, Altuve will need to give a championship effort if the American League wants to extend It’s winning streak to six games.
Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles, Shortstop
He’s the most talked about player with the trade deadline fast approaching. But as he makes his fourth trip to these All-Star festivities he’ll need to put the trade talk aside and just play ball. Unfortunately that’ll be easier said than done as scouts and executives across the league will be watching with extra interests in mind. This is one player who literally could start the game as an Oriole and finish it as a Yankee!
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians, Third Base
Ramirez has earned his second consecutive All-Star nod by being one of the top hitters in the game today. He ranks third in all of MLB in slugging (.628), fourth in both OPS (1.029) and RBI’s (70), and he’s eighth in stolen bases (20). When you’re one of the league’s top-ten offensive players, a spot in the All-Star game is automatic.
Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, Catcher
He’s been called the American League’s Yadier Molina at times, but the Venezuelan-born Perez will be replacing Tampa Bay Rays catcher Wilson Ramos who was injured right before the All-Star break. He’s the third-leading A.L. catcher in terms of home runs (13), RBI’s (41), and he’s ninth in the category in doubles (11).
J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox, Outfield
Martinez has been named as the designated hitter for the American League this year. The Cuban-American was the Bo’ Sox big free agent acquisition this past offseason and he has not disappointed. His numbers this year scream power hitter with a very impressive slash line (.328/.393/.644/.1.037) along with leading MLB in both home runs (29), and runs batted in (80), and ranks third in extra base hits (53). The DH slot will suit him well this coming Tuesday.
Answering the Call for Back Up
Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians, Shortstop
This is now the third-straight All-Star game for the 24-year-old Puerto Rican. Despite being fifth among MLB shortstops in both stolen bases (13) and total double plays (56), the Gold Glove, Platinum Glove, and Silver Slugger winner will be coming off the bench this time. But prepared for a highlight reel once he does enter the game.
Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners, Outfielder/Designated Hitter
Age (38-years-old) is only a number for this veteran from the Dominican Republic. Among every player who has been used as a DH this year, Cruz leads this group with 22 home runs, ranks second with 55 RBI’s, he’s also second with 39 runs scored, and he has the best slash line in this category (.267/.363/.538/.902).
Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians, Catcher
Brazil’s first-ever Major League player is finally getting his chance to be an All-Star. And when you consider he’s seventh among American League catchers with seven home runs, sixth among his backstop peers with 32 RBI’s, and leads this group with 17 doubles, he was due for this chance.
The American League is also thin on pitchers but Edwin Diaz of the Mariners, Joe Jimenez of the Tigers and Luis Severino who is on the Cy Young track for the Yankees will be headed to D.C. this year.
Start up your air conditioners, grab a cold drink, and enjoy the All-Star Festivities!