Arch Authority
Fansided

Which St. Louis Cardinals Players are Truly All-Star Game Worthy?

By Patrick Karraker

Jul 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; National League catcher Yadier Molina (4) of the St. Louis Cardinals talks with outfielder Matt Holliday (7) of the St. Louis Cardinals during workout day the day before the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; National League catcher Yadier Molina (4) of the St. Louis Cardinals talks with outfielder Matt Holliday (7) of the St. Louis Cardinals during workout day the day before the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
twitterfacebookreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Aledmys Diaz St. Louis Cardinals
Jun 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz (36) hits a single during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Aledmys Diaz

Worthiness: 8/10, Likelihood: 5/10

Aledmys Diaz’s All-Star candidacy is the most frustrating predicament, because the National League shortstop position is one of two in either league—ironically, along with NL catcher, where Yadier Molina is leading—that the fans have failed to pick the best player for thus far. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, who clearly isn’t having an All-Star-worthy season as he’s hit for a .236/.327/.378 slash line, is currently leading the voting. If he ultimately is selected, he’ll prevent one of three really deserving shortstops—Diaz, Corey Seager, or Trevor Story—from going, and that’s unfortunate. That’s not even to mention the league’s leader in defensive runs saved at short, Brandon Crawford, who is heating up at the plate and may also garner consideration.

Diaz’s poor start in the field, which saw him commit 12 errors over the first two months, will undoubtedly hurt his candidacy, especially for those who choose to base their evaluation of a player’s fielding ability solely on how many errors he commits. His fielding has improved in June, though, and his offensive numbers are getting harder to ignore. As of Tuesday night, he was tied for the NL lead in OPS among shortstops (.898) with Trevor Story, led in batting average (.316), and was second in OBP (.374). He’s fifth in home runs among that group, but his 10 dingers are certainly respectable.

It’s still very much up in the air as to whether he’ll be an All-Star, but if he doesn’t make it, it won’t be because he didn’t deserve it. It will be due to some combination of the fans voting in Russell even though he doesn’t deserve it, Story and Seager gaining an edge (though they’re perfectly deserving) due to the media campaigns surrounding Story’s historic start as a home run hitter early this season and Seager’s ascension to the majors during the stretch run late last season, respectively, or Crawford earning a spot just because his defense is so widely respected.

Next: Matt Carpenter

Home/St. Louis Cardinals