The MLB All-Star Game will emanate this Tuesday from Petco Park in San Diego, but the rosters for each side remain incomplete.
A final vote ballot is currently underway to determine who will take the final roster spot for the American and National League All-Star clubs. In the Senior Circuit, there is plenty of competition.
Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb, Pirates outfielder Starling Marte and Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story are all up for the final vote and it won't be an easy one.
Here's a breakdown of their seasons thus far followed by our pick for who should head to Petco Park this Tuesday. To view our pick for the American League, click here.
Brandon Belt
Belt leads the NL with 27 doubles and paces all NL first baseman with a .300 average, while adding a .399 on-base percentage and a .519 slugging percentage. The Giants first baseman has seven errors overall this season, but is worth a plus-5 in defensive runs saved at first base, according to Fangraphs.
Ryan Braun
Braun is fourth in the NL with a .322 batting average and leads all NL left fielders with a .912 OPS all while hitting 13 homers and driving in 44 RBIs. The Brewers outfielder has just one error on the season and is worth a plus-6 in defensive runs saved.
Jake Lamb
Lamb leads the NL with a .625 slugging percentage and a .996 OPS, all while placing tied for the MLB lead with three triples. He is hitting .293 on the year with 20 homers and his 61 RBIs, which is tied for fourth in the NL. The Diamondbacks third baseman does, however, have 12 errors on the season and is worth a minus-1 in DRS.
Starling Marte
Marte is a force on the base paths, ranking second in the MLB and pacing all outfielders with 25 stolen bases, while he also leads all left fielders with 96 hits. He owns a .318/.362/.467 slash line with six homers and 31 RBIs. The Pirates outfielder has three errors and is a plus-9 in DRS.
Trevor Story
After hitting two homers in his major league debut and seven in his first six games, Story currently leads all rookies with 19 long balls on the year. Story owns a .257/.324/.530 slash line and has 51 RBIs. Defensively, the Rockies shortstop has committed eight errors, but is a plus-1 in DRS.
Stat |
Brandon Belt |
Ryan Braun |
Jake Lamb |
Starling Marte |
Trevor Story |
Slash line |
.300/.399/.519 |
.322/.378/.533 |
.293/.371/.625 |
.318/.362/.467 |
.257/.324/.530 |
HR |
10 |
13 |
20 |
6 |
19 |
RBIs |
46 |
44 |
61 |
31 |
51 |
Errors |
7 |
1 |
12 |
3 |
8 |
DRS |
Plus-5 |
Plus-6 |
Minus-1 |
Plus-9 |
Plus-1 |
Verdict: This is a very difficult decision as all five of these players have tremendous numbers in different categories. In the end, it's between Braun, who we picked to make the original starting team, and Lamb, but despite his shortcomings, we'll give the nod to the Diamondbacks third baseman.