Kansas City Royals Dominating All-Star Voting

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Omar Infante: .250/.260/.357, 715,345 votes

There are certain numbers that are expected from your starting second baseman at the All-Star Game. It would be nice if the player had a solid batting line, maybe a few doubles or stolen bases, and maybe even a couple of home runs. It’s not like we expect every second baseman to hit like Ryne Sandberg or Robinson Cano when he was good.

Then there is Omar Infante. Yes, the Kansas City Royals second baseman is dealing with an elbow issue that will eventually require offseason surgery, but that batting line just does not come close to All-Star caliber. Infante may have 13 extra base hits, with eleven doubles, but he has yet to hit a home run and has managed to three times in 146 plate appearances. Good thing he is useful defensively.

Given that mini-Stro Jose Altuve is in the midst of another solid year, hitting at a .299/.348/.429 clip with five home runs and a league leading 14 stolen bases, it is no surprise that he is leading the American League second basemen in the vote. What is surprising is that Infante is second, albeit 586,409 votes behind. Honestly, it probably should not be that close.

Unless the Kansas City Royals faithful pull out all the stops and rig the ballot like Charles D. B. King of Liberia in 1927, Omar Infante will enjoy a few days off in the middle of the summer. That single All-Star appearance on his resume is not likely to change.

Chances of starting: Not happening

Next: Some love for the glove