Before
their recent slide, the Yankees have been playing above almost every baseball
expert’s preseason expectations in 2017, and the Bronx Bombers have held first-place for
a majority of the season. Due to their success, it’s no surprise that they are
one of three American League teams to have five All-Stars, and even a certain
knight on the Final Vote. Here is a breakdown of all the selections:
 |
| Photo Credit: SI.com |
Aaron
Judge was a no-brainer All-Star for the American League squad and was the only
starter voted in by baseball fans. Judge led the American League in total votes
and rightfully so. As of the ASG roster announcement, Judge is slashing
.327/.448/.687 with an American League leading 27 home runs, 70 runs scored,
and 58 walks. Judge’s 2017 resume also contains the April and May Rookie of the Month awards and many dazzling plays in right field. Judge’s selection is all
more impressive, after the fact that he earned his first MLB promotion last
summer and failed to meet expectations. He came into 2017 as a questionable
starter and at its halfway point, Judge is arguably now one of the faces of
Major League Baseball.
Gary
Sanchez is proving that his historic 2016 summer was no fluke by earning his first
ASG appearance. El Kraken was sidelined with an arm injury for a few weeks,
after the first week of the season and his season performance was in serious doubt. However
even with the missed time, Gary Sanchez’s stats are impressive for the second
season in a row. Gary is hitting .283 with an OPS just shy of .900. Sanchez
also features a cannon of an arm and should be a perfect fit for the dominant
pitchers that will be present in Miami.
 |
| Photo Credit: AP |
Luis
Severino may be the best story out of all the Yankees that were selected to the
ASG. After a phenomenal debut in 2015, Severino pitched atrociously in 2016 to
a 5.83 ERA and .275 BAA. Severino had an impressive Spring Training and earned
a spot in the rotation. Severino’s start in Houston today blemished his stats a
little bit, but nevertheless, there is no question he was deserving of an ASG
selection. Severino has struck out 114 batters and has walked only 24 batters
in 99.2 innings of work. The Yankees are sending their true ace to Miami.
Dellin
Betances will be making his fourth straight ASG appearance, after a controversial
offseason that featured Yankee president, Randy Levine, downplaying Betances capabilities.
Like Severino, his recent outings have made his stats seem less impressive than
they are, however when Aroldis Chapman was on the disabled list, there were
very few closers who were as dominant as Betances. Betances has six saves and
has struck out 48 batters in 26 innings of work. Many Yankee fans believe
Dellin Betances has been underused this season by Joe Girardi, but when on the
mound in 2017, Betances continues to show why the Yankees were not willing to
give up on him prior to converting to a reliever.
Starlin
Castro will also be making his fourth ASG appearance, but this will be his
first as a Yankee. After being dumped by Chicago for next to nothing after the
2015 season, Castro has become a fan-favorite in the Bronx and is having a
career year in 2017. Castro is hitting .313 with 52 runs scored, while hitting
in the middle of the Yankee order. Castro has been sidelined for the past week
with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, but was still rewarded for his marvelous
season with an ASG reserve spot.
 |
| Photo Credit: AP |
Didi
Gregorius did not get selected into the game, however, he is a candidate for the Final Vote. Didi Gregorius, like his teammate Gary Sanchez, missed time in the
beginning of the season due to an injury he suffered in the World Baseball
Classic, but since his activation he has been phenomenal for the Bronx Bombers.
Derek Jeter’s replacement is hitting .314 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs. Sir Didi
has had many big hits this season for the Yankees and has played stellar
defense this season at short stop. Gregorius is extremely ASG worthy and it is
everyone’s job as Yankee fans to vote an undeniably deserving player into the
Midsummer Classic. Didi’s hashtag on twitter is #SirDidi4Sure
Article
by: Ryan Thoms
Comments
Post a Comment