2013 MLB All-Star Game: Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez to Represent Royals

Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon, 2013 All-Stars. (Photo: Jake Roth – USA TODAY)

For the first time since 2003, the Royals will have more than one All-Star Game representative.

Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez were both named reserves for the game in New York on July 16. It’s the first selection for both.

For Gordon, this seems like a recognition for his efforts over the last two seasons, as he was a deserving candidate in 2011 and had a fine 2012 season, but a rough June has made his 2013 numbers look merely good. He’s deserving of an All-Star nod in my opinion though, based on consistency, overall performance, and his position relative to the rest of the league’s outfielders. Gordon ranked among the best in the American League in WAR coming into Saturday’s game, so even in a “down” year, he’s done his job admirably.

Perez gets the first of what the Royals hope will be many All-Star Game appearances. He ranks highly in many offensive categories among the league’s catchers while also providing solid defense behind the plate. With other players like Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana being catcher/first baseman hybrids, Perez, a full time catcher, gets a nod behind starter Joe Mauer.

My initial thought was that Greg Holland, who’s having a dominant year, would be the Royals representative, and while I’m pleasantly surprised that Gordon and Perez get the recognition, I have to feel like Holland was snubbed. The American League’s relievers are Joe Nathan, Brett Cecil, Mariano Rivera and Glen Perkins (who replaced an injured Jesse Crain). Deserving players, sure, but Holland wasn’t even in the AL Final Vote, which was comprised entirely of middle relievers.

Perhaps an injury or other opening will allow Holland to be named to the team, but regardless, the Royals got two All-Stars this year. Can’t say that I’d expected that.