I have searched high and low for a comprehensive All Star Guide for the events, games, fanfest, etc with no luck. The information contained in this blog was compiled from many sources over the past week. If you want to correct me on any information feel free and if you have new information you think would be helpful to add here, drop me a line. Please ignore formatting as I wanted to spend more time finding the information and getting it out there. And yes, that is intended to be a heart next to Adrian's name below. I'm just a girl... follow me on twitter @Tamara_AFL
Update 7/8/11: A-Rod, Jeter, Rivera all skipping All Star Game. Jhonny Peralta and Kevin Youkilis to replace Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, respectively, on AL.
Saturday –
Fan Fest 9am
Sunday –
9am Jr RBI Classic –
Salt River Fields
Futures Game 3pm
All star celebrity game– 630pm
Monday –
9am Fan Fest
MLB Hit and Pitch and Run National Finals 12:15pm
All Star Workouts 2pm
Tuesday –
9am Fan Fest
Noon – all star parade
All Star Game 5pm
Additional Fun Information and Tips:
- Tommy Bahama’s men’s shirt in honor or the All Star Game in Phx Kierland Commons, 480-607-3388 Biltmore Fashion Park 602-508-9888
All Star FanFest Information:
Phoenix Convention Center,
300 N. Third St.
Upon entering MLB All-Star FanFest, get information on all events and appearances and find out how to obtain Holiday Inn Priority Club Pass tickets and bracelets. Major League Legends Appearances during FanFest
- Friday: Jay Bell; Damion Easley; Mike Fetters; Rollie Fingers; Mark Grace; Kelly Stinnett.
- Saturday: Orlando Cepeda; David Dellucci; Fingers; Steve Finley; Grace; Ferguson Jenkins; Fred Lynn; Reggie Sanders.
- Sunday: Luis Aparicio; Lou Brock; Jenkins; Juan Marichal; memorabilia collector Todd McFarlane; Gaylord Perry; Jackie Robinson's daughter, author Sharon Robison; Stinnett; Greg Swindell; Earl Weaver; Dick Williams.
- Monday: Aparicio; Brock; Cepeda; Fingers; Rich "Goose" Gossage; Tony Gwynn; Marichal; Perry; Sharon Robinson; Weaver; Williams.
- Tuesday: Bell; Dellucci; Fetters; Junior Spivey; Matt Williams.
ALL-STAR CLUBHOUSE
Visit the Clubhouse and feel like a Major Leaguer. See the game uniforms of the 2011 MLB All-Stars and join us for question and answer sessions with MLB Legends and Hall of Fame players.
ALL-STAR DUGOUT
Watch the events on the Diamond from an All-Star's point of view in the All-Star Dugout.
ALL-STAR GAME RED CARPET SHOW
Feel like an MLB All-Star, sit in a Chevy vehicle and be part of the Red Carpet Show. Take home a DVD keepsake of you being interviewed during the Red Carpet Show.
ALL-STAR VIDEO GAME ZONE
Test your skills and compete against others playing the latest Major League Baseball® video games.
ATM
Make a dash for cash to the multiple ATMs conveniently located throughout the event.
COLLECTOR'S SHOWCASE
Buy, sell and trade baseball cards, collectibles and memorabilia at one of the largest gathering of dealers under one roof.
DAILY EVENTS BOARDS
Don't miss a thing. Check out the Daily Events Boards for a listing of autograph sessions, player appearances and more.
THE DIAMOND
Play on the mini Aquafina Diamond and participate in baseball clinics hosted by coaches, managers, MLB legends and current stars.
MLB All-Star FanFest
Attractions - Gallery 2
FANFEST® AUCTION
View and bid on limited-edition authentic baseball memorabilia in a silent auction throughout the event or Live Auction on July 12th at 10 a.m.
FANFEST® BATTING PRACTICE
Practice like the pros in these state-of-the-art batting cages.
FANFEST® FIELDING PRACTICE
Grab a glove and get ready to field ground balls, fly balls and line drives at the fielding cages.
FANFEST® TIRE TRYOUT
Strengthen your bunting and throwing skills by aiming at Firestone tire targets.
FANFEST® TRADING CARDS
Make your very own personalized baseball card wearing your favorite team's authentic jersey!
FIELDS OF PLAY
Learn from the experts about MLB fields and maintenance of the greatest lawns in the game.
FOOD COURTS: REFRESH ZONES
Enjoy a sizzling hot dog, hot pretzel, cold Pepsi or sample signature foods from the ballparks around the league.
GAME SAVING CATCH
Recreate your favorite over-the-wall catch and have your photo taken to capture the moment.
HOME RUN DERBY
Ever dreamed of hitting one out of the park? Here's your chance to step up to the plate and hit a home run over the MLB All-Star FanFest outfield wall in State Farm Home Run Derby style.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Visit a tribute to baseball in Phoenix. View a collection of memorabilia and artifacts from Diamondbacks' history and pose next to a life size team photo. MLB All-Star FanFest
Attractions - Gallery 3
INFORMATION BOOTH
Upon entering MLB All-Star FanFest, get information on all events and appearances and find out how to obtain Holiday Inn Priority Club Pass tickets and bracelets. LATINO PIONEERS WALL
View artifacts and historical moments of the Latino Pioneers in baseball.
LIVE RADIO AUTOGRAPH STAGE
Come and listen to your favorite local broadcasts, meet baseball Legends and obtain free autographs.
MLB.COM
Watch daily live broadcasts of mlb.com.
MLB NETWORK
Create your own virtual interview with MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds and download the recording from home and share with your friends.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL® CLUBHOUSE STORE
Purchase official 2011 All-Star Game souvenirs and apparel.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL®
View New Era caps from all 160 Minor League Baseball clubs on the MLBASFF Minor League Cap Wall.
NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM®
The history of America's national pastime unfolds through an unforgettable collection of Hall of Fame artifacts and photographs from Cooperstown. THE NEGRO LEAGUES
View the history of the Negro Leagues and pay tribute to some of the game's finest players from the league.
MLB All-Star FanFest
Attractions - Gallery 4
FANFEST PIN TRADING CENTER
Purchase, collect and trade for your favorite baseball pins.
STEAL A BASE, STEAL A TACO
Compete against your favorite MLB base runners and try to steal second base. Make sure you pick up your FREE Taco Bell taco after you win the race.
STRIKE OUT CHALLENGE
Step up to the pitcher's mound and test your arm strength while trying to throw your fastest pitch to win a prize.
TROPHIES OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL®
View a collection of the official awards and trophies of Major League Baseball including the World Series, Home Run Derby, All-Star MVP and others.
WOMEN IN BASEBALL
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) - Meet the women who were the inspiration for the movie "A League of Their Own".
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
See the greatest players worldwide in this exhibit as they represented their countries in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
WORLD'S LARGEST BASEBALL
Come take a photo with the World's Largest Baseball signed by Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays and others.
XM RADIO
Relax and listen to XM's lineup of coast-to-coast sports programming. You'll hear sports news, sports talk, and coverage of live events including Major League Baseball®
Celebrity and Legends Game
Scheduled to appear at the 2011 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game:
• Top country music performer Jason Aldean
• Pop artist Nick Jonas
• American Idol winner and Arizona native Jordin Sparks
• Glee sensation Chord Overstreet
• Tim DeKay from White Collar
• Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy
• Paul DiMeo from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
• Tom Papa from the Marriage Ref
• Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald
• USA Softball's Jennie Finch, a University of Arizona alum Hall of Famers scheduled to appear:
• Ernie Banks
• Goose Gossage
• Ozzie Smith
• Rickey Henderson
• Rollie Fingers
D-backs legends scheduled to appear:
• Luis Gonzalez
• Mark Grace
Red Carpet Parade July 12th
Locals and tourists are invited to watch the procession of All-Stars to the 82nd Midsummer Classic as they make their way down approximately 1,750 feet of red carpet, stretching one-third of a mile from the corner of
First Streetand
Jefferson Streetdown
Fourth Street, and ending at Chase Field.
The event started in Detroit for the 2005 All-Star Game and was an immediate hit, growing in popularity along the way. You think about the Clemente family being Grand Marshals in the lead vehicle when that 2006 parade crossed over the bridge named after the great Roberto, on the way to PNC that day. It is always fun watching All-Stars with their families on board the vehicles, tossing goodies into the crowds, letting everyone be involved. This one will begin at noon Phoenix time, and it is scheduled to feature all the All-Stars riding Chevrolet Silverados. In addition, NL manager Bruce Bochy from the Giants and AL manager Ron Washington from the Rangers will lead their teams down the carpet in Chevrolet Camaro convertibles. MLB Network personalities Greg Amsinger, Hazel Mae and Harold Reynolds will host the event's national telecast at 4 p.m. ET and an abbreviated version at 7:30 p.m. ET. With the outcome of the All-Star Game again determining which League will have home field advantage in the World Series, the World Series Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Company will be on display as part of the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet. As part of the ongoing commitment by Major League Baseball to environmental sustainability, MLB is again working with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), implementing measures to reduce the event's environmental footprint. For the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet, the players will be traveling on a red carpet made from 100 percent post-industrial recycled yarn. Chevrolet will also be providing Chevrolet Silverado vehicles with E85 ethanol capability for the players and their families. Media is invited to cover the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet from designated areas either at the corner of
Jefferson St.&
4th Stor the Northwest corner of
4th St.&
Jackson St. An additional pen will be set up for local TV crews on the South side of
Jackson St.at 4th.
About the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 12th in Phoenix and will feature the best of the American League taking on the top players of the National League. Building up to the excitement of the All-Star Game, Major League Baseball will conduct a wide variety of special events and charitable activities for fans both inside and outside of Chase Field. At the ballpark, the events will include Taco Bell All-Star Sunday on Sunday, July 10 featuring the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, and Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 11 featuring the State Farm Home Run Derby on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio. Outside of the ballpark, fans will have an opportunity to experience All-Star Summer through a variety of special events including MLB All-Star FanFest, the five-day interactive fan festival and the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet, a free parade of All-Stars through the streets of Phoenix, which will be broadcast on MLB Network. The Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally on FOX, broadcast on ESPN Radio and will be shown around the world by Major League Baseball International. For more information about 2011 All-Star Summer, visit www.AllStarGame.com. Umpires:
The umpires and official scorers for the 82nd All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 12, at Chase Field in Phoenix were announced Wednesday by Major League Baseball, with Dale Scott serving as the crew chief and home-plate umpire. It will be the third All-Star Game for Layne (1994, 2001) and the first for Guccione, Hickox, Iassogna and Wendelstedt.
The official scorers for the game will be USA Today's Bob Nightengale, who is also chairperson of the Arizona chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America; BBWAA president Ken Davidoff of Newsday; and Gary Rausch, veteran MLB official scorer for Arizona Diamondbacks games. Rodney Johnson, another veteran MLB official scorer of D-backs games, will serve as the official scorer for the XM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 10.
Ben May will work behind home plate for the Futures Game, with Will Little of the Southern League at first base, Jimmy Volpi of the Texas League at second and Scott Mahoney of the Eastern League at third.
All four umpires have also been assigned to work the State Farm Home Run Derby on Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 11, while Mahoney and Volpi will also work Sunday's Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.
2011 Futures game Representatives
(Courtesy of Scott from Bus Leagues Baseball)
Team | Players |
ARI | |
ATL | |
BAL | |
BOS | |
CHC | |
CWS | |
CIN | |
CLE | |
| |
DET | |
| |
HOU | |
KC | |
LAA | |
LAD | |
MIL | |
MIN | |
NYM | |
NYY | |
OAK | |
PHI | |
PIT | |
SD | |
SF | |
STL | |
SEA | |
TB | |
| |
TOR | |
WAS | |
U.S.
RHP
Jarred Cosart,
Philadelphia (A+ Clearwater)- Cosart has great stuff including a mid 90′s fastball. He’s battled injury problems throughout his career, and has already set a career high in IP this season. Cosart came into the season as the Phillies’ 4th best prospect according to Baseball
America, and his stock is probably about the same halfway through 2011.
RHP
Kyle Gibson,
Minnesota (AAA Rochester)- While Cosart is known for his great stuff, Gibson relies on command and control to get batters out. His fastball isn’t overwhelming at all, but thanks to his polish, he’s considered to be
Minnesota’s best prospect. He hasn’t made his major league debut yet, but he has to be close to ready if the Twins come calling.
RHP Matt Harvey, New York Mets (AA Binghamton)-
Harvey was a bit of a disappointment early in his career at
North Carolina, but he obviously turned it around in time to be drafted in the top 10 by the Mets. He dominated the Florida State League to start the season, and he was recently bumped up to the Eastern League for a new challenge.
RHP
Shelby Miller,
St. Louis (AA Springfield)- Like Harvey, Miller started the season in the FSL, but he was just so good that the Cardinals had to move him up. Some say he might even be the best pitching prospect in the minors now, and statistically it’s easy to make a case for that. Someone named
Shelby has to be uncomfortable in a town called
Springfield though…
LHP Matt Moore,
Tampa Bay (AA Montgomery)- It’s possible that no pitching prospect has improved his (already high) stock this season than Matt Moore. He’s led the minors in strikeouts each of the last two seasons, but it always came with the caveat that he has almost no command. This year, his BB/9 is below 3.0, and he threw a no hitter last week.
RHP
Brad Peacock, Washington (AA Harrisburg)- Peacock signed with
Washington out of high school in the 41st round in 2006, certainly a rarity. After several seasons of posting nondescript results in the lower minors for the Nats, he got some major helium this season in the Eastern League. He has 108 strikeouts in 80.1 IP and just 17 walks.
LHP
Drew Pomeranz, Cleveland (A+ Kinston)- Pomeranz was an absolute workhorse at Ole Miss, and that’s what the Indians had in mind when they chose him 5th overall in 2010. He didn’t make his pro debut until this season, and so far it’s been worth the wait. In 60.2 Carolina League innings, Pomeranz has 77 strikeouts and a WHIP just north of 1.00.
LHP
Tyler Skaggs,
Arizona (A+ Visalia)- Many complained about
Arizona’s return in the
Dan Haren trade, but they consider Skaggs to be the big catch in the deal. He started the California-Carolina League All-Star Game a few days ago, and it’s not surprising considering that he has 102 strikeouts in 83 innings and trying to prove that maybe the trade wasn’t so bad after all.
RHP
Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee (A+ Brevard County)- After acquiring
Zack Greinke and
Shaun Marcum this offseason, Milwaukee’s farm system was left barren, unanimously considered to be the worst in the league. After a dominant start to the season in the Midwest League, Thornburg was promoted to the FSL to prove himself at a higher level.
RHP
Jacob Turner,
Detroit (AA Erie)- Turner has a great fastball and curveball combination, but he doesn’t strike out as many batters as fans might expect. Nevertheless, he’s a great prospect and quickly progressing through the
Detroit system. His ERA is just under .300 for the season, and somehow in 15 starts, he’s only accumulated three decisions with a 2-1 roster.
C
Devin Mesoraco,
Cincinnati (AAA Louisville)- Mesoraco was drafted 15th overall by the Reds in 2007, and for the first couple years of his career, it appeared to be a mistake. In the 2009 offseason, he worked really hard, and he had a breakout season in 2010. He hit 26 home runs over three levels, and even if he’s never great defensively, it looks like he’ll be a very good offensive catcher.
C
Austin Romine, New York Yankees (AA Trenton)- Romine may not be as heralded as fellow Yankees catching prospect
Jesus Montero, but he’s more likely to stay behind the plate. He doesn’t hit nearly as well, but he has better defensive skills. There were a number of catchers Baseball
America could’ve gone with for this spot, but Romine is solid across the board.
1B
Paul Goldschmidt,
Arizona (AA Mobile)- After Goldschmidt destroyed the Cal League in the second half of 2010, people were skeptical and rightfully so about this bat-only player. He needed to prove himself at a higher level, and on Opening Day this year, he did just that, slugging two home runs and then a 3rd homer the following game.
2B
Jason Kipnis, Cleveland (AAA Columbus)- The Indians have a deep farm system with players that don’t project to be stars, but solid to very good major leaguers. Kipnis is at the top of that list for position players. Since being drafted in 2009, Kipnis has done nothing but hit, and he’s knocking on the door of the majors now. It probably won’t be long until he’s in the majors.
2B/SS
Chase d’Arnaud, Pittsburgh (MLB)- As I’m writing this, D’Arnaud is making his ML debut with the Pirates at 3B. If he’s still in the majors come the All-Star break, he’ll be replaced on the roster. His younger brother Travis in the
Toronto organization has a higher ceiling, but that won’t stop Chase from being a solid major league player, but it probably won’t be at SS.
SS
Grant Green,
Oakland (AA Midland)- Green was in this game last year and held his own, and he’s back again. It’s been a bit of a down year so far for Green, but as we saw last year, he may just be a better second half player. He may not be able to stick at short in the majors, but if his power comes back, he should hit enough to change defensive positions in the future.
SS Manny Machado, Baltimore (A+ Frederick)- After
Bryce Harper, Machado was the second hitter drafted in 2010, and he was actually promoted to high-A before Harper. He started the season on fire, but a knee injury sidelined him for a bit, and he hasn’t been the same since. He could be a big time hitter, and although his defense isn’t great, he should be an ML shortstop.
3B
Nolan Arenado,
Colorado (A+ Modesto)- In 2010, Arenado was one of the more prolific doubles hitters in the minors. He got off to a slow start in 2011, and his power still isn’t really there. This season, he is crushing left handed pitching, and he’ll need to improve that split moving forward. One positive note is that his defense is better compared to previous seasons.
3B
James Darnell,
San Diego (AA San Antonio)- After a down 2010 season, Darnell burst out of the gates this year as one of the minors’ hottest hitters in April. He was a part of a deep
San Antonio lineup that was crushing every pitcher they saw, and he’s continued to have a good season to this date. He needs to improve his defense, but the Padres just need bats in the future.
3B
Will Middlebrooks,
Boston (AA Portland)- Middlebrooks has been improving steadily in his few years in the Red Sox system, and if that keeps up, he’ll be ready for a role in the big leagues soon. He strikes out a lot and could stand to walk more, but he has a nice all-around skillset including his defensive ability. He’ll probably set a career high in homers this season.
OF
Gary Brown,
San Francisco (A+ San Jose)- Brown got off to a great start for the Giants, got even hotter in May, but a June slump may have delayed a promotion to AA. He’s one of the most exciting players in the minors with incredible speed and great defense. He’s even shown a little power, and his patience at the plate has improved since college which adds even more value.
OF Bryce Harper, Washington (A Hagerstown)- Here’s the big name a lot of people are interested in. Even with all of the premature hype from Sports Illustrated and the media, Harper has somehow beat expectations, and he has to be the #1 prospect in baseball right now. He has big time power, and his other skills are proving to be better than previously believed. If he shows improved maturity, he could finally be promoted to high-A.
OF Matt Szczur, Chicago Cubs (A Peoria)- The Cubs love them some former football players, and Szczur was a standout offensive player on the Villanova Wildcats football team. He’s a really good athlete, and although there’s some debate about how good he can eventually be, he’s definitely performing well this year. Like a lot of solid college players, he’ll need to prove himself at higher levels where he isn’t one of the most experienced players on the field every night.
OF
Mike Trout,
Anaheim (AA Arkansas)- If Gary Brown is one of the most exciting players in the minors, Trout is like Brown on steroids. It’s pretty safe to say that he’s a five tool player, and he could reach the majors by the end of this season. At the plate, he really has it all. He has a nice hit tool, shows power, has some of the best speed in baseball, and his plate approach is good.
World
RHP
Henderson Alvarez,
Toronto (AA New Hampshire)- Prior to this season, the career of Alvarez could be best described as mediocre. His command has been good, but he hasn’t gotten as many strikeouts as expected, and he’s given up his fair share of hits. This season, it’s come together for him with a 2.30 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00 in the Eastern League with big fastball velocity.
RHP
Liam Hendriks,
Minnesota (AA New Britain)- Readers of this site should already be familiar with Hendriks after Brian did a nice Q&A with him earlier in the
season. He certainly has one of the more interesting backgrounds in this game, and he’s had a great minor league career to this point. He’s one of
Minnesota’s top 10 prospects.
RHP
Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City (AA Northwest Arkansas)- For all the talk about the Royals’ incredibly deep system, a little known reliever named Kelvin Herrera is their representative in this game. He had trouble getting out of the lower levels of the system with elbow problems, but he moved to the bullpen and he’s been pitching like his hair is on fire in the Texas League.
RHP
Gregory Infante, Chicago White Sox (AAA Charlotte)- Infante has some big league experience already, but with his 1.81 WHIP with
Charlotte this year, it’s obvious he needs some more seasoning. The White Sox hope he can harness his incredible fastball velocity that can be in the high 90′s and help improve a beleaguered bullpen that really struggled to start this season.
RHP
Jhan Martinez,
Florida (AA Jacksonville)-
Martinez is another pitcher on this roster with big velocity. Notice a trend? Like Infante,
Martinez also has some big league experience. It was brief and for good reason. He has some control issues, and it’s gotten worse this year with 21 walks in just 28.2 IP. This needs to improve for him to get an extended look with the Marlins.
RHP
Carlos Martinez, St. Louis (A Quad Cities)- Despite having more names (previously known as
Carlos Matias) than seasons pitched in the U.S. (just 2011), Martinez has received a lot of warranted hype. He has great velocity with potential for nice offspeed pitches. The Red Sox originally signed him, but after a suspension due to identity issues, the Cardinals scooped him up.
LHP
James Paxton, Seattle (A Clinton)- Paxton finally made his much anticipated professional debut this season after a long journey that took him from college to an indy league through a long holdout thanks to agent Scott Boras. He’s piled up some of the most impressive strikeout numbers in the minors this year, and
Seattle probably feels he was worth the wait.
LHP
Martin Perez,
Texas (AA Frisco)- Perez has frequented top prospect lists recently, and after a rough 2010 season, many wondered why. His bounceback campaign this season is why. In his second year in the Texas League, his ERA is down nearly 3 runs, his walks are down significantly, and he’s still one of the youngest pitchers in AA.
RHP
Julio Teheran,
Atlanta (AAA Gwinnett)- Coming into the season, Teheran was considered to be the #1 pitching prospect in baseball. He made his ML debut earlier this year (which I wrote
about,) but he’s back in the minors where he belongs for now. He’s probably not ML ready yet, but he’ll probably impress against fellow minor leaguers in
Arizona.
RHP
Arodys Vizcaino, Atlanta (AA Mississippi)- Teheran will be joined by fellow farmhand Arodys Vizcaino in the Futures Game, and if the Braves could have three guys in this game,
Randall Delgado would probably be here too. The Braves stole Vizcaino in the
Javier Vazquez trade with the Yankees, and that trade could pay off if he can manage to stay healthy.
C
Wilin Rosario,
Colorado (AA Tulsa)-
Rosario could be one of the best catching prospects in the minors despite a somewhat disappointing season so far. It’s important to keep in mind that he’s coming back from a torn knee ligament late last year, and by all accounts he got back on the field sooner than expected. He’ll need to improve on his sub-.300 OBP before moving up the ladder.
C
Sebastian Valle,
Philadelphia (A+ Clearwater)- Like Rosario, Valle brings an incredibly aggressive approach to the plate and may not even know what a walk is. He’s making great contact in the Florida State League, and he has some power in his bat too. If he improves his defense and maybe gets a little more patient, he could become the Phillies’ top position player prospect.
1B
Yonder Alonso,
Cincinnati (AAA Louisville)- The Reds desperately want Alonso to be able to play LF. They used a high draft pick on him a few years ago, but they have a 1B that I’d say is pretty solid already, and obviously they can’t have Alonso DH. Ultimately, he may end up as trade bait, but for now he’ll hit in AAA and attempt to learn how to play the outfield.
2B
Jose Altuve, Houston (AA Corpus Christi)- Thanks to the Baseball Prospectus podcast, Altuve has earned a cult following as he tries to hit his way to
Houston. What’s so special about him? He’s listed at 5’7, and he’s probably even shorter than that. Despite his stature, he can really hit and hit for power too. He’ll always be questioned due to his size, but at some point, everyone has to acknowledge that production is production, right?
SS
Hak-Ju Lee, Tampa Bay (A+ Charlotte)- Chris Archer was considered to be the top prospect received in the
Matt Garza trade, but at this point, it’s probably Lee. He’s cooled significantly since a hot start, but his offensive numbers are still really good. He can field his position, and with
Tim Beckham making strides in AA, suddenly the Rays have some nice depth at shortstop.
SS
Jurickson Profar,
Texas (A Hickory)- Profar is the youngest player in this game even with all of the incredible talent that will be on display. He’s just a mature player at his age with a very good plate approach, and he’s solid across the board in all tools. The Rangers have focused on the international market lately, and they could be rewarded with Profar rising up prospect rankings.
SS
Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore (A+ Frederick)- Schoop’s teammate at Delmarva and now Frederick, Manny Machado, may get all the attention, but Schoop is a solid player in his own right. Machado has even pushed him off shortstop, but Schoop is capable of playing all the infield positions. He showed some nice power in the South Atlantic League, but he hasn’t hit too well in a few weeks up in the Carolina League. Maybe the Orioles are finally improving.
3B
Alex Liddi, Seattle (AAA Tacoma)- It seems like Liddi is in this game every year, doesn’t it? He burst onto the scene with a huge offensive year at
High Desert like a lot of players, but he has sustained success since then. He strikes out way too much, but Liddi does have power. For a team desperate for runs,
Seattle could learn to live with his low average and strikeouts.
3B
Jefry Marte,
New York Mets (A+ St. Lucie)- The Mets seem to have a pattern with amateur players. They don’t spend on the draft, but they do dip into the international market frequently. When they get a guy they like, they aggressively promote him and wonder what went wrong. Marte took a couple tries to get out of the SAL, but he’s having a solid season in the Florida State League.
3B
Francisco Martinez,
Detroit (AA Erie)-
Martinez is another player that has been promoted aggressively by a chronic overpromoting organization, but he’s enjoying his best season as a pro in AA. He’s not very patient at the plate, but the Tigers think he’ll develop some power in his bat. It’s an organization that could use some young position players at the ML level for sure.
OF Chih-Hsein Chiang,
Boston (AA Portland)- Chiang has a .962 OPS this season in the Eastern League, and I have to admit that I didn’t know much about him. That’s because he hasn’t put up numbers anything like this in previous seasons. His previous career high in OPS was .797, and that was as a member of the Lancaster JetHawks. We all know what playing there does to offensive numbers.
OF
Reymond Fuentes,
San Diego (A+ Lake Elsinore)- So far, the Padres are satisfied with their return for
Adrian Gonzalez.
Anthony Rizzo is in the majors, and now Fuentes will appear on the biggest national stage for prospects before they reach the majors. His bat still has a long way to go, but with his speed and defense, he can be a major asset patrolling CF at
Petco Park.
OF
Starling Marte,
Pittsburgh (AA Altoona)- Soon, teenagers that have never seen the Pirates have a winning season will be allowed to legally purchase cigarettes, but those days could be coming to an end with depth and talent accumulating in the minors. Marte can play a nice CF, and he’s been a very good hitter in his minor league carer with an aggressive plate approach.
OF Alfred Silverio,
Los Angeles (AA Chattanooga)- Silverio spent most of last season in the Cal League, and I thought he was just a solid player, but here he is in the Futures Game one year later. He’s crushing AA pitching, nearly slugging .600 with 22 doubles and 11 home runs on the season. Like a number of players on the World roster, he could stand to walk a little bit more.
OF
Dayan Viciedo, Chicago White Sox (AAA Charlotte)- Viciedo received a lot of hype as an amateur out of
Cuba, and he hasn’t quite lived up to it yet. He should be able to hit as a major leaguer, but as a clumsy, big bodied player, he hasn’t been able to find a defensive home yet. The White Sox are trying him out in the outfield which he should be able to eventually handle.
If Scott was managing both teams with these current rosters, these are the lineups he’d go with:
CF Brown
2B Kipnis
LF Trout
RF Harper
C Mesoraco
1B Goldschmidt
DH Darnell
3B Middlebrooks
SS Green
SP
Moore
2B Altuve
CF Marte
RF Chiang
DH Viciedo
1B Alonso
LF Silverio
C Rosario
3B Liddi
SS Lee
SP Teheran
All Star Game
Information on the Line Up on American League Starters:
Alex Avila – Tigers Catcher
Adrian Gonzalez - <3 1B Red Sox .349 BA 16 hr and 17rbi
Robinson Cano – 2B Yankees Golden Glove winner leads all 2B in HR and RBI
Derek Jeter – SS 3 hits away from 3,000 as of July 7th
Alex Rodriguez – 3B 14th time All Star 13 hr 52 rbi
Jose Bautista – leading vote getter of all players/hitting .328/ player of month for April and May/first Blue Jay to be voted in
Curtis Granderson Yankee OF - on pace for career best stats
Josh Hamilton – had a hiccup this year hitting .301
David Ortiz - DH
AL - pitchers
Chris Perez – Indians / players pick
Jose Valverde –Tigers /closer 19/19 in saves/ mgr pick
Aaron Crow – Royals / mgrs pick/ fewest innings pitched
Josh Beckett – 2.20 ERA 15 starts 6-3 2.20 ERA 1 complete game / players pick
Mariano Rivera – 12th All Star Selection 2.22 career ERA players pick
Gio Gonzalez – A’s / mgrs pick
Felx Hernandez – 3.35 ERA / players choice
Justin Verlander –Detroit/ throws 100 mph 1st pitch and last pitch / players choice Brandon League – 1st time All Star / players choice David Price –Rays / 2nd All Star Game / mgrs choice
James Shields – Rays/ 1st All Star Game / players pick
Jered Weaver – 2nd All Star Game/ 1.92 ERA leads AL / players choice
CJ Wilson –1st All Star Game / Rangers / mgrs pick
AL –Reserve Players
Ellsbury – 2.78 BA / players vote
Carlos Quentin – White Sox / players pick
Asdrubal Cabrera – Indians / 14 HR this season / players pick
Miguel Cabrera – 6th All Star Game/ IF .329 BA / players pick
Howie Kendrick – Angels / IF/ .307 BA/ 40 HR / players choice
Micheal Cuddyer (Cadier pronounced) #5/ Twins
Russell Martin – NYY players pick and catcher 223 BA 10 HR and 34 RBI
Matt Joyce – Rays/ .302 BA 43 HR40 RBI 0 errors/ players pick
Adrian Beltre – Rangers / 2nd all star .265 BA 14 HR 61 RBI 2 golden gloves
Michael YOUNG – Rangers / DH .313 BA 36 Runs / very versatile players
Matt Wieters - Orioles
Lead by Rangers Manager Ron Washington
Ron Washington – 1st time managing an All Star Game.
He stated I will make them aware of certain situations but they have enough experience to know what should happen. I am not going to go in there and demand that this or that happen and I have 1 purpose to win the ball game.
Do you seek any advice on how to go about this? I talked to Jack McKinn for about half an hour but it is a game and there are quite a few games that have been thru it before ane I want to make sure the talent they have on the field that I don’t get in the way of it.
What factored in to CC not making the all star game?
Was it because he is pitching on Sunday.
The players chose 5 starters – Washington was pretty vague in his response here.
Who of your guys are you happiest for, for this honor to be in the All Star Game? CJ Wilson he is a work horse never complains, he has a working life attitude and it seems like every Sunday we are out there playing a day game CJ is always out in the heat during the day games and when I look over the list I wanted to have some LH relievers in the bullpen and he gives me a lot of flexibility. He is definitely very deserving on our pitching staff.
Information on the Line Up on National League:
Starters:
Brian McCann – Atlanta Catcher Prince Fielder 1B Brewers
Rickie Weeks Brewer 276 BA
Jose Reyes – SS Mets hitting 354 nose bleed territory
Placido Polanco 3B Phillies- great defense and handles bat well/almost best record
Ryan Braun – Milwaukee .320 16 HR 62RBI LF Lance Berkman Cardinals 21 HR in 1st half of the season
Matt Kemp -0F Dodgers 1st time all star
CC Sabathia – not chosen!
NL Pitchers -
Johnny Venters –Atlanta / players pick Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers / players pick / leads majors in SO
Cole Hamels –Phillies .237 ERA / players pick
Jair JurrJens –Atlanta 1.89 ERA 15 starts 11-3, leads NL in wins and MLB in ERA Joel Hanrahan –Pirates / 24/24 in Save opps / players pick
Heath Bell – Padres / mgrs pick Matt Cain – Giants / 2nd All Star Game / mgrs pick #18
Roy Halladay –Phillies / good change up good curve ball/ players pick
Tim Lincecum – 4th time All Star/ Lead NL in SO in last 3 yrs / mgrs pick
Brian Wilson – 3rd All Star Game / most saves of anyone going back to ’08 / players pick Ryan Vogelsong – took Zito’s spot, all star at 33 yrs old
Cliff Lee – 3 consecutive shutouts CG consecutive game/ uses both sides of the plate
Tyler Clippard – Nationals / 1st time all star
NL Reserve Players –
Justin Upton – Dbacks 23 yrs old 2nd All Star .297 BA 13 HR and 43 RBI
Chipper Jones – Braves / best switch hitter / players pick 257 BA 7 HR and 44 RBI
Starlin Castro – Cubs hitting machine 309 BA 108 Hits #13
Brandon Phillips – Reds #4 / players pick 2B / 2 golden gloves
Jay Bruce –Reds .267 BA 18 HR 51 RBIs
Joey Votto - NL MVP 316 BA 12 HR 51 RBI (below standards at the all star break)
Troy Tulowitzki – leads SS in HRs and RBIs
Gaby Sanchez – Marlins .292 BA 13 HR and good 1st baseman
Hunter Pence –Astros 2nd time all star player pick 323 BA 10 HR
Carlos Beltran – Mets 6th all star game .281 BA 12 HR 54 RBI golden glover
Matt Holliday –Phillies 5th all star game .321 BA 10 HR 40RBI great hitter
Yadier Molina – Cardinals makes pitchers comfortable pitchers dream, catcher
Bruce Bochy 2nd time Managing an All Star Game Team
Why was Vogelsong deserving of an All star selection after 12 starts? He is a big reason why we are in 1st place. He was a shot in the arm for us. We didn’t have enough room for him out of ST on the roster for him. He should have made the team out of spring training.
Bochy made this comment about his pitching staff:
Ryan would be the guy we could stretch out.
What will be different now in this day and age from when you previously managed an All Star Team in ’99? 99 was in Boston, special day with Ted Williams and I think where it has changed is you are always trying to win a game but the focus was trying to get the players all in there where now it has leaned more toward winning. I am not going to be so aware of putting everyone in and last thing I want to do is run out of players.
You brought in Kirk Gibson for pitching will that play a big role in picking his brain? Fans will love seeing Gibby and he will be beside me on the bench helping me out and as the all star game the pitching coach has to have his plan and it gets really busy and you have to have them ready in case someone struggles out there.
All Star Additional Information:
- Remember that Verlander, Felix & Hamels all figure to be replaced on ASG rosters. Scheduled to start next Sunday, not eligible to pitch. They will still count as all stars.
- Last Padres player voted into the All Star Team was 99 was Tony Gwynn
- Most guys don’t want to participate in the HR Derby because they are afraid it will mess their swing up.
- Heath Bell may not be in San Diego much longer will likely be drafted.
- White Sox didn’t get any players to ASG.
- CJ Wilson came from being a closer to a starter.
- NL Leads AL by 3 games last year NL won for 1st time in 14 years
- Albert Pujols not part of roster
- Pitching staff players pick 8 managers pick 5 of their own
