Should more Kansas City Royals be involved in the All-Star Game?

The Good: Mike Moustakas

The Stats: .269/.305/.559 (.864 OPS/120 OPS+); 24 home runs, 52 RBI; 1.6 fWAR

The Case: This one is pretty self-explanatory, seeing as how Moose is on (and leading, at the time of this writing) the fan vote ballot for the final AL All-Star spot (which you can access here if that’s your thing). He’s already going to Miami anyway to participate in the Home Run Derby—which I laid out as a fairly important turn of events and upon further reflection, it may be more important to the franchise than an eventual All-Star nod—so you may as well keep him in South Beach the whole time.

Moose’s contributions go beyond the simple fact that he’s on pace to obliterate Steve Balboni’s Kansas City Royals single-season home run record, although that’s pretty significant too. When the offense struggled to find its footing April, Moustakas was there to supply a steady presence (.271/.303/.553, seven homers). When everything crested in June, it was Moose leading the pack (.313/.340/.635, eight homers, 22 RBI).

Hopefully, the fan vote will pan out and Moustakas’ stay in Miami will be a lengthy one. If not, and if Moose walks at the end of the season (he’s making a pretty compelling walk-year case, please don’t tell Scott Boras), it would be a real shame if 2015 was his only opportunity to represent the Kansas City Royals at the Midsummer Classic.

Anybody Have His Spot Who Shouldn’t? Among AL infielder’s, Sano and Baltimore’s Johnathan Schoop make it under the “Every team has to be represented” rule (which is how “two-time All-Star Jose Rosado” became a thing in the late-90s). Moose vs. Starlin Castro is compelling—Castro has slightly better peripherals in the shadow of Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, while Moustakas stands out for carrying the Kansas City Royals to this point.

Among his final vote brethren, I’d cross off Xander Bogaerts and Didi Gregorious almost immediately. Logan Morrison and Moustakas are having similar years, but Morrison has been a pain the butt for much of his big-league tenure and even now is whining because Sanchez has his Home Run Derby spot. Elvis Andrus’ career-high 11 home runs and continually high-end peripherals make him a compelling candidate—but the Rangers are also 17 games out in their division. At gun point, I’d give the nod to Moustakas—but don’t count out LoMo or Andrus.

How Robbed Should He Feel?: 6 out of 10 about the initial vote and manager’s choice, 31 out of 10 if this fan vote thing falls through. Kansas City Royals fans are the same people who got Alcides Escobar an All-Star start in 2015; this should be a cakewalk.

The Bad: Whitley David Merrifield

The Stats: .288/.323/.464 (.787 OPS/104 OPS+); seven home runs, 32 RBI, 1.3 fWAR

The Case: I don’t think Whit is a terrific leadoff hitter just because he’s better than Alcides Escobar; that’s akin to deciding polka music is good just because it’s not EDM. Whit is hitting .229 as a leadoff man in 36 games, with four walks—an embarrassingly low number for a leadoff hitter. Some people like having a lucky rabbit’s foot in the leadoff role; I’d rather have somebody that’s a good fit. I’d say we’re arguing semantics, but you’re wrong and I’m right and that’s just how it is.

I do not say this to crap on Whit, who has proven himself to be a clutch hitter of the highest order and someone I’d want on my team any day—he’s just being used wrong. Ned Yost doesn’t have many options for the leadoff role, and Whit is the best bad option he’s got. So be it.

Having said all that, look at the above numbers. They’re more than respectable for a middle infielder. He’s seventh in fWAR among AL second baseman, despite playing in fewer games than all but one (Ian Kinsler) and despite being the only one of the seven aside from Robinson Cano with Offensive (Off) and Defensive (Def) Runs Above Average.

I’m just saying. There’s a path to “Whit Merrifield, All-Star”. Even I think it sounds a little ridiculous.

Anybody Have His Spot Who Shouldn’t? A quick look at our AL middle infielders reveals two Houston Astros in Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa who will likely make every All-Star team until they don’t feel like it anymore. That’s out. Francisco Lindor is an actual warlock, so he’s probably good. Schoop we discussed. Castro we discussed. This is… probably correct, unfortunately. Stacked field this year. Cano sitting at home really sends a message.

How Robbed Should He Feel? 2.5 out of 10. Whit just started getting regular playing time for the Kansas City Royals two months ago. Hopefully this is the start, not the pinnacle. That said, if Cano already has All-Star break plans and a couple of infielders pull out…

The Unlikely Renaissance: Mike Minor

The Stats: 1.96 ERA/2.28 FIP/1.02 WHIP, 4-1 in 33 appearances, 3.67 K/BB, 9.6 K/9, 1.2 fWAR

The Case: I like to think that somewhere in mid-May, this conversation took place in Ned Yost’s office…

MINOR: You wanted to see me, Skip?

NED: Yeah, Mike. I was sitting around a few days ago and thought, “Boy, I haven’t done anything nutty in a while and I need to keep everybody on their toes.” So I thought maybe you’d like to start Saturday’s game.

MINOR: Well, I appreciate that Skip, but I’m actually good. I like this bullpen thing.

NED: [shining a tuba] Really?

MINOR: Yeah. I was a pretty so-so starter, but I think this long-relief stopper role may be just for me.

NED: [playing thrash metal in a vain attempt to soothe a dozen frightened baby goats] Is that so?

MINOR: Yeah. Bring up Junis or Skoglund or someone like that and let them get their feet wet. I’m happy where I’m at.

NED: [attempting to figure out a fidget spinner] If you say so. Good talk Mike.

MINOR: Same Skip. Also, the guys wanted me to remind you that aluminum foil is not microwave safe.

The point (aside from the sarcastic barbs at Ned Yost) is that Minor has figured out what he’s good at—and it’s not taking the ball every five days and trying to find six quality innings.

Anybody Have His Spot Who Shouldn’t?: Yu Darvish is not having his finest year by any standard, but somebody has to represent Texas. I’m not real sure why Luis Severino is here—the Yanks are well-represented with five All-Stars, which should just remind everyone that the Yankees are the worst—but I guess I can see it?

The most obvious comparison is Andrew Miller, but Andrew Miller is also a late-inning god who should never be compared to anyone and is best avoided at all costs. 13.82 K/9, ERA/FIP/WHIP all under 2.00 (his WHIP is a microscopic 0.71) and I’ll put you in a class by yourself.

But in American League Relievers Who Are Not Closers (Non-Miller Division), Minor is on the shortlist of game changers, and aside from Houston’s Chris Devenski (who got ROBBED of an All-Star bid) and teammate Joakim Soria, Minor is the only one on a contender. While I never consider an All-Star nod to be some kind of lifetime achievement banner, the fact remains that Soria has had his and unless something tragic happens, Devenski will get his. If I’m replacing Severino (and in this hypothetical, I am), tie goes to the guy who’s never been before.

How Robbed Should He Feel?: I mean… Luis Severino? Eh. Devenski has more of a gripe here. Give Minor a 4 out of 10.

Verdict

I nearly included Hosmer in the proceedings, but between Justin Smoak’s renaissance in Toronto and Yonder Alonso’s ability to be the only useful player in Oakland, I just couldn’t justify it. Hosmer’s April was too much of an albatross to get around.

Moustakas should be in somehow. I don’t like the “Can participate in the Home Run Derby without being in the All-Star game” thing anyway, so if Moustakas can be in one, he should be in the other. I think this logic would make Logan Morrison roll his eyes into the back of his head and begin speaking in tongues.

Merrifield would be the ultimate “Gosh this is so cool, I’m just happy to be here,” guy and honestly, I couldn’t blame him… but I also probably couldn’t support many measures that put him on ahead of more deserving candidates either. And if Devenski—who, again, was ROBBED of a bid—can’t make it, wait hope does our man Mike Minor have? All appearances peg Devenski as already being the guy I hope Minor can turn into.

Next: Moose's Derby Day

So Moustakas should join Dr. Vargas and Perez in Miami. Seems right. Let me know how stupid you think I am in the comments.