One player, per team, worthy of the All-Star

On Monday, we saw the first bulletin on voting for the All-Star Game, which means it’s time to start getting serious. Each team will have at least one representative at Coors Field. But voting is the only way you and I can make ourselves heard. So we can’t go wrong.

With that in mind, let’s look at that player on each team that fans of that club should find a way to vote for. Some of them are the best of their respective novenas and certainly deserve to be the representatives of their ensembles. But in a broader sense, we refer to that player who best represents his team.

Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
He, along with the other Junior whose father was a star in the 90s (more on him a little later), will be the most sought-after attraction in the All-Star Game this year.

Orioles: Cedric Mullins, OF
Trey Mancini is the sentimental pick and he’s having a good year, but Mullins has looked amazing, ranking among the league leaders in hits, batting average and OPS.

Rays: Randy Arozarena, OF
He’s not Babe Ruth, as he made us think in the 2020 postseason, but the Cuban is still an excellent player and, by far, the most recognizable face of this team. If we want to be guided only by the numbers of 2021, Joey Wendle is a better option, but Arozarena is the only one who has a chance to advance via the public vote.

Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts, SS
Veteran shortstop – he’s been in Boston for a long time! – could be having the best year of his career at the perfect time.

Yankees: Aaron Judge, OF
The Yankees may not be having a good time, but Aaron Judge is still Aaron Judge.

Cleveland: Jose Ramirez, 3B
Do you remember how a couple of years ago the Dominican Ramírez saw his production plummet? That turned out to be no more than a scare; is a star again. There may not be a clearer candidate in this entire exercise.

Royals: Salvador Pérez, C
There is no better example of this way of proceeding by the Royals of rewarding their stars and fan favorites than the Venezuelan Salvador Pérez, who, in some way, continues to be the star of this team.

Tigers: Akil Baddoo, OF
There aren’t many options at the Tigers, but Baddoo, while he has cooled down a bit, remains an important piece of the club. And he is probably the most recognizable player in that lineup other than Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera.

Twins: Byron Buxton, OF
Buxton lost just over a month to a strained right hip, but will his return be enough to save the Twins’ season?

White Sox: Yoán Moncada, 3B
They can go with the current MVP of the American League, Cuban José Abreu, but his compatriot Moncada has had a great campaign. And besides, he is a tremendous singer: the boy has charisma!

Athletics: Matt Olson, 1B
He may not be able to beat Vlad Jr. on the ballot to start the game at first base, but it’s time for people to start paying attention to Olson.

Angels: Shohei Ohtani, BD
Mike Trout won’t be back in time and we want to see Ohtani no matter what.

Astros: Carlos Correa, SS
The Puerto Rican hasn’t become the superstar Astros fans expected, but he’s approaching that level this year, just in time for free agency.

Mariners: Mitch Haniger, OF
He went to the All-Star Game in 2018, but it’s no exaggeration to say that a lot has happened since then.

Rangers: Adolis Garcia, OF
The Cuban is one of the most surprising stories of the Rangers this year. And of the few positive things.

Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr., OF
The Braves have not had the year they wanted so far, but there is no doubt that the Venezuelan Acuña has, individually.

Marlins: Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
Voting for second base in the National League will be interesting, but no one would spice up the position more than the Bahamian.

Mets: Francisco Lindor, SS
Even with that batting average hovering around .200, Puerto Rican Lindor leads the Mets in bWAR right now. Based on fame and reputation, Pete Alonso would be another good choice.

Nationals: Juan José Soto, OF
Even in a year below the usual level, the Dominican Soto is still one of those electrifying players.

Phillies: Bryce Harper, OF
We all want Harper to play as many All-Star Games as possible.

Brewers: Christian Yelich, OF
The Brewers, who don’t seem to get noticed when Yelich isn’t producing, need him back. Him and his fame.

Cardinals: Nolan Arenado, 3B
I thought about going with Tommy Edman here because the battle for middle will not be easy, but Arenado is the new face of the franchise. There are no problems with leaving with Puerto Rican Yadier Molina either.

Cubs: Kris Bryant, 3B
Whether he stays in Chicago or not, it would be nice to see him again in the Cubs jersey at the All-Star Game.

Pirates: Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
He’s still the face of the team, as long as he remembers to hit the first pad!

Reds: Nick Castellanos, OF
The best representative of a team that is better, particularly when it comes to the lineup, than many people think. Jesse Winker is also worth considering, but Castellanos is the more famous of the two and that makes it more likely that he will win a vote.

D-backs: Ketel Marte, OF
The explosion of the Dominican a couple of years ago was clearly no coincidence … and well, maybe some teams interested in a change can see it.

Dodgers: Mookie Betts, OF
You always want to see Betts at the All-Star Game. Forever.

Giants: Buster Posey, C
Two years ago, you wondered what the Giants were going to do with Posey in the final years of his contract. Now, the veteran is having the season of his career on a team that is at the top, repowering his chances of reaching the Hall of Fame. Another trip to the All-Star Game could make his case much stronger.

Parents: Fernando Tatis Jr., SS
Forget the game: The Dominican should be at the center of all the All-Star commercials.

Rockies: Trevor Story, SS
Yes, he hasn’t had a good year so far, but he’s still the Rockies player everyone will be talking about, come July.

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