Texas Rangers Best All-Star Candidates
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Voting for the 2023 All-Star Game started on Wednesday and the Texas Rangers have nine players on the ballot.
The Rangers’ candidates are first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seager, third baseman Josh Jung, catcher Jonah Heim, outfielders Ezequiel Duran, Adolis García and Leody Taveras and designated hitter Robbie Grossman.
The Rangers are hopeful that a few of their players will be elected as starters by the end of voting (pitchers and reserves have a different selection process). But which Rangers have the best chance of being included, whether it’s by vote or by league selection?
After two months of the season, here are the six Rangers most likely to earn a berth in the All-Star Game in Seattle in July.
2B Marcus Semien
Before Wednesday’s game with Detroit (he went 1-for-4), this is how Semien ranked among MLB second basemen: runs (1st, 48), total bases (1st, 108), RBI (1st, 44), doubles (1st, 14), hits (2nd, 66), OPS (2nd, .849), triples (T2nd, 2) and batting average (3rd, .296). His .481 batting average (25-52) with runners in scoring position led the American League. He takes a 20-game hitting streak into the homestand on Friday against the Seattle Mariners.
Only two National League stars — Miami’s Luis Arraez and San Francisco’s Thairo Estrada — have a better batting average.
P Nathan Eovaldi
Yes, pitchers won’t be selected by voters, but Eovaldi has built a great case for selection through two months. In fact, it’s a similar case to the one that Martín Pérez built through May of last season, which helped him to his first All-Star Game selection.
In May, Eovaldi went 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA, striking out 31 and walking nine. He threw an MLB-high 37 2/3 innings and only the San Diego Padres’ Michael Wacha had a better ERA in the month of May. His four wins tied for the MLB lead and he threw two complete games, something no pitcher has done this season.
Eovaldi is 7-2 with a 2.42 ERA this season. With roughly five to seven starts left before All-Star Game selection, he is well-positioned.
OF Adolis García
García has been an All-Star before (2021) and if he’s going to get there again he’ll have to do with power because the outfield is crowded with good candidates. The good news is that he’s tied for seventh in the Majors in home runs (14) and leads MLB in RBI (49). He has a month of runway to improve those numbers.
While García might have a hard time getting in via vote, his status as the league’s leader in outfield assists (eight) could help with him as a reserve selection, which is made with input from the player ballot and the commissioner’s office.
C Jonah Heim
As of May 31, no catcher had driven in more runs in the Majors than Heim (39). He is fifth overall in batting average (.282) and in the Top 10 in home runs (six). Serving as the backstop for one of the best teams in baseball will give him a considerable tailwind. Right now his top competition in the American League, based on statistics, is Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and the Baltimore Orioles’ Adley Rutschman. Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez is one to watch out for as well.
1B Nathaniel Lowe
Let’s let Jared Sandler, one of the radio voices for the Texas Rangers, make the case.
The only first basemen with a better batting average in the American League than Lowe’s .277 are the New York Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo and Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Lowe is a full 10 points ahead of Kansas City’s Vinnie Pasquantino.
Throw in Sandler’s pitch and Lowe has the data points to earn a spot on the team.
3B Josh Jung
A rookie on the All-Star team? Well, Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez did it last year. Why not Jung?
In May he finished with a .318/.357/.561/.918 (34-107) slash line and currently ranks among A.L. rookies this month in OPS (1st), SLG (1st), hits (1st), total bases (1st, 60), home runs (T1st, 6), and RBI (T1st, 16).
Only the Los Angeles Angels’ Gio Urshela has a better batting average among AL third basemen. It’s a crowded field. There is also Toronto’s Matt Chapman and the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez. Jung has more home runs (12) and RBI (37) than all three of them.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
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