I couldn’t help but feel nervous this last week. As I kept watching the leaders in fan votes for the 2015 MLB All Star Game and I didn’t see the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu among the top of the list, I began to worry.
Naturally, of course. With the Rockies not in a position of serious contention, I was beginning to worry that the players above- guys who have all had All-Star worthy seasons- would be overlooked in favor of big-name players on winning teams.
But on Monday night, the reserve players for both the American and National League’s All Star teams were announced. So wipe the sweat from your brow, Rockies Nation-our boys have been rewarded. Arenado and LeMahieu, are headed to Cincinnati for the 2015 All Star Game.
Both players are more than deserving of the accolade.
News of LeMahieu’s first All Star bid came as a relief. The Rockies’ second baseman has been a crucial element to the team’s success. Manager Walt Weiss has praised LeMahieu’s versatility in the batting order many times. No matter where he’s put, LeMahieu has found a way to deliver.
The 2014 Gold Glove winner has 34 RBIs, which considering how many times he’s hit out the two hole and the eight hole, is pretty impressive. Although DJ has cooled off a bit- after a July 1 game in Oakland his average dipped under .300 for the first time all season- he was hitting around .350 in mid June, which is hard to ignore.
I’m also quite excited for Arenado to go to his first MLB All Star Game. The Rockies’ third baseman has had an exceptional season so far. Defensively, he’s been stellar. We’ve all seen snippets from his defensive highlight reel. Arenado has made some wild plays at the hot corner this season. And offensively, he’s been a major force to reckon with. He currently leads all of baseball with 68 RBIs and is third in the league with 24 long balls.
But now onto the elephant in the room. I’d wager that you’re asking yourself why this article isn’t titled “Troy Tulowitzki: snubbed from an All Star roster spot.” Well don’t run me out of town, but Arenado and LeMahieu have confirmed spots already because, quite frankly, they’ve earned it.
Tulo is hitting .321 right now. But this is Troy Tulowitzki we’re talking about. His expectations are higher than normal players. He’s a superstar. And the reason that as of tonight he does not have a spot on the National League’s All Star Team is a hard truth for Rockies’ fans, but a truth nonetheless: he could be doing better.
Tulo’s stat sheet just doesn’t jump out at me. Yeah, he’s hitting .321, but his power numbers are down significantly from last year and for a middle of the lineup guy, his 44 RBIs isn’t mind blowing.
I’m not hating on Tulo. This is just how he’s being judged by baseball experts and baseball fans across America. But Tulo still has a chance. Friday afternoon, the final roster spots will be given out, and Tulowitzki is among the finalists for that final spot.
Voting ends on July 10 at 4pm EST so if you’d like to see Tulo headed to his fifth All Star Game, vote here: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2015/fv/ballot.jsp?tcid=EngRD-ballot-2015
Congratulations to Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu and good luck to Troy Tulowitzki! #VoteRox
Contact CU Independent Rockies Beat Writer Justin Guerriero at Justin.Guerriero@Colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo
