MLB All-Star Game Final Vote
Jun 25, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Kris Bryant (17) reacts after striking out in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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It is once again that time of year again. The Mid-Summer Classic is now just a week away. As the MLB season reaches its mid-point, the Home Run Derby is now less than a week away. Then a day later, the 2017 MLB All-Star Game will take place in Miami at Marlins Park.

Like every year, when the rosters are revealed, fans are also introduced to the five players from each league that will be a part of the Final Vote. Of these ten players, one of them from each league will still earn a roster spot, despite not getting the initial nod to play down in Miami.

As expected, this list certainly contains a few names of players that some will view as “snubs”. But which of these snubs is truly the most deserving of winning the vote of fans?

This year in the National League, we have five infielders. To make things easy, all five men also man a corner infield spot. Two of these players come out of the East, while another two call theWest home. That leaves one more coming from the Central. So who are these five men and who should get your vote to play in the MLB All-Star Game in 2017? Let’s find out!

Justin Bour, First Baseman, Miami Marlins

The hometown favorite has certainly put up numbers worthy of being an All-Star. So while many will see the name Bour and simply shrug at it, given he is not exactly a household name across the country, don’t count him out. He is sporting a solid batting average and is launching homers, putting him right in the thick of this Final Vote consideration. While he is not likely to win, he deserves more of a look than he will likely get.

Statline: .285 average, 18 HRs, 53 RBIs, 31 runs, 1 SBs

Kris Bryant, Third Baseman, Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant is not having a bad year. But he is certainly not living up to the MVP hype he had going into the season. He is also not having what I would consider to be a surefire All-Star type of campaign either. When I compare him with Bour, quite frankly, I have to give the nod to Bour. Unfortunately, his name recognition, paired with the tendency of Cubs fans to push for their guys, will likely boost Bryant up in this voting process. I am expecting him to win this, even though he is not the most worthy candidate.

Statline: .263 average, 16 HRs, 32 RBIs, 50 runs, 6 SBs

Anthony Rendon, Third Baseman, Washington Nationals

Rendon is certainly a candidate worth giving a vote to. He hands down would be above Bryant in my eyes, meaning he needs to be compared with Bour. Batting average goes to the Nat. Homers go to the Marlin. RBIs also go to the Miami first baseman. But runs and bags go to the Nats’ third baseman. This is a close one, but I think Rendon as the more well-rounded player would get the edge here.

Statline: .297 average, 16 HRs, 51 RBIs, 43 runs, 4 SBs

Mark Reynolds, First Baseman, Colorado Rockies

Talk abour a snub. There has been three players carrying the Rockies offense on their shoulders this season. First, the future MVP Nolan Arenado. Two, the man with the epic beard, Charlie Blackmon. And three, the man who came out of nowhere, Mark Reynolds. Reynolds has been superb this season. His 19 homers and .286 average screams All-Star worthy. Unfortunately for him, he plays at a position that makes it hard for him to find his way onto the roster. At least in the initial go around.

Statline: .286 average, 19 HRs, 61 RBIs, 45 runs, 1 SBs

Justin Turner, Third Baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers

I don’t want to discount what Turner has done this season. But he has dealt with a hamstring injury this season, meaning he missed a chunk of games this season. As a result, his numbers simply fall a bit short of where he would need to be in order to get voted in out of this group. Sure his average is insane, but his other numbers simply do not hold up. Yes, that has plenty to do with his missed time. But at the end of the day, that’s still a part of the game. So he simply fall shorts here.

Statline: .382 average, 7 HRs, 31 RBIs, 37 runs, 2 SBs

Final Verdict

When you boil things down, this comes down to a two horse race. Anthony Rendon takes on Mark Reynolds. As solid as Rendon’s numbers are, this is simply a season you can’t deny Reynolds an All-Star birth. He has done everything in his power to get to Miami. Now he just needs some help from the fans.

Send Mark Reynolds to the 2017 MLB All-Star Game in Miami next Tuesday! Voting ends on Thursday at 4:00 pm EST. Vote here.

What do you think? How does the NL Final Vote shape up for you this season? Who should be headed to Miami? Tell us in the comments!

2 Replies to “MLB All-Star Game 2017: Final Vote Breakdown NL Edition”

  1. This dude is stupid! Justin Turner is the first half MVP of the national league, on Baseballs best team! In the last 3 years he has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball and in 9 more blare appearances he will lead all of baseball in Average! Not to mention his defensive play at 3b is always great! He should be the starter for the NL not the last vote! Do the research!!

    1. Thanks for reading Sean. Yes Turner is having a great season, and killing it with the bat right now. But at the end of the day, he missed a chunk of the season so far, and as a result, I see Reynolds as more deserving, as he has been just as important to his club through this early portion of the season. Reynolds has launched more than 10 homers than Turner and nearly 30 more RBIs. So while I can’t fault you for wanting Turner in, Reynolds is more deserving in my eyes.

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