The Ballot Box
May 26, 2006
By
James Butler
May 24, 2006
By James Butler
With the All-Star game rapidly approaching on July 11, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, it is time for the traditional summer ballpark festivity; the stuffing of the ballot boxes.
However, instead of developing writers cramp voting twenty times for your home team's middle infielder du jour, why not vote for those players most deserving of representing the fans: the season's top fantasy performers?
This week we examine the official major league All-Star ballot, judging each position solely on fantasy performance up to this date as reflected by their current F.I.C. power rankings.
Editor's Note: There are some slight inconsistencies based on our power rankings. I'll leave a note in those spots.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
1B - Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox (12 HR, 38 RBI, 0 SB, .313 BA)
I know many of you are shaking your heads already, but bear in mind that Jim Thome is not on the official MLB All-Star ballot, which we'll address later. This leaves the power-hitting Konerko on the bag for the AL.
2B - Tadahito Iguchi, Chicago White Sox (6 HR/ 23 RBI/ 4 SB/ .307 BA)
Another surprise here (Chone Figgins would be the choice if he weren't on the ballot as a shortstop) as Iguchi joins Konerko to blanket the right side of the infield with White Sox.
SS - Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (5 HR, 34 RBI, 8 SB, .352 BA)
Jeter legs out the position over power hitting Miguel Tejada ( 13 HR, 35 RBI, 0 SB, .343 BA) on the strength of the eight stolen bases. The fact that Tejada never dated Mariah Carey doesn't help his case either.
Editor's Note: Tejada does indeed lead our rankings as of Monday, and it doesn't appear that Jeter looks ready to overtake him, as they've both had equally good weeks (though in different areas). Jeter is the only player that's even close to Miggy at the position so far this season in either league.
3B - Álex Rodríguez, New York Yankees (11 HR, 35 RBI, 4 SB, .275 BA)
It only shows how talented this guy is when he is publicly battling what he calls a major slump and he is still head and shoulders above the rest of the American League at the hot corner. 'Nuff said.
Editor's Note: Based on his two homers and five RBI in the series with Boston, Rodriguez may have overtaken Troy Glaus as the top AL performer at third to this point in the season. It's awfully close, though. Glaus (1,215) held the lead over Rodriguez (1,197) as of Monday.
C - Ramón Hernández, Baltimore Orioles (8 HR, 36 RBI, 0 SB, .316 BA)
A great start to a potential career year as he is clearly outproducing Joe Mauer and Víctor Martínez to this point.
Editor's Note: As of Monday, V-Mart still led all catchers by a relatively slim margin after his horrible May. Hernandez likely caught him with his 2 HR, 7 RBI performance against the Mariners the other night, though.
OF - Johnny Damon, New York Yankees (5 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB, .284 BA)
A clear example of how the fantasy game favors players who contribute in all categories, Damon vaults to the top of this list with consistent numbers across the board and lots of stolen bases.
OF - Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels (12 HR, 40 RBI, 3 SB, .316 BA)
This guy's arm alone is worthy of the All-Star game. The fact that he's one of the best hitters alive is just gravy.
OF - Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays (10 HR, 35 RBI, 4 SB, .331 BA)
Already a talented outfielder, Wells is enjoying a breakout season on pace to eclipse personal highs in virtually all offensive categories. A great player to acquire now in keeper leagues.
Editor's Note: Actually, our top three outfielders in terms of current performance go in this order: Vernon Wells, Jonny Gomes, Alex Rios. Vladdy was fifth as of Monday (behind Nick Swisher as well), while Johnny Damon barely cracked our top ten. Guerrero would get the nod as our third outfielder, though, as neither Rios (makes sense, since he was in a platoon) nor Nick Swisher (what were they thinking?) are on the ballott.
Write In 1 - Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox (18 HR, 43 RBI, 0 SB, .303 BA)
The ballot allows for two write in candidates per league, and if you fill it out online, you must specify a position for the write in and leave blank the corresponding vote block. In this case, I wrote in Thome at first base and was forced to remove my vote for Paul Konerko. Personally, I don't care if it is at first base, designated hitter, utility, or even if the have to use a pitcher's roster spot to do it, Jim Thome should be starting in this All-Star game. Period.
Write In 2 - Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians (13 HR, 40 RBI, 0 SB, .310 BA)
Travis Hafner is the best player in baseball without a position. That's what makes him tricky to vote for. If you can find a way to do it, he's deserving of the votes, even if they are only ceremonial.
Editor's Note: With Big Papi having a mediocre May, Hafner and Thome were clearly the top two of all players that haven't been mentioned as starters at other positions. Thome ranks second among all performers to this point among our Top 250 Hitters, while Hafner ranks fourth.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
1B - Albert Pujols, Saint Louis Cardinals (23 HR, 57 RBI, 2 SB, .318 BA)
The rationale for his inclusion can be summed up in three letters that rhyme with the letters M, V and P.
Editor's Note: According to our rankings system, Pujols is on pace for 2,048 points this season. Our second ranked hitter, Jim Thome, is on pace for 1,522.... That's dominance!
2B - Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (9 HR/ 24 RBI/ 4 SB/ .315 BA)
Get used to seeing him here for a long time, especially with Alfonso Soriano's move to the outfield, but Utley would not have been on this list if Felipe López (5 HR, 18 RBI, 16 SB, .305 BA) had not been listed on the ballot as a shortstop, where he was barely beaten out by...
Editor's Note: This is correct. Though we don't have Felipe Lopez ranked on our most recent second base rankings (something I'll have to fix next week), Lopez is outpacing Utley 1,287 to 1,248 through Monday.
SS - Hanley Ramírez, Florida Marlins (2 HR, 18 RBI, 16 SB, .340 BA)
See Hanley run. See Hanley run away with the Rookie of the Year Award.
Editor's Note: The assumption here is that James is speculating that Hanley's four steals this week pushed him over the top. Lopez had a pretty substantial lead, hasn't had a bad week himself, and I suspect that he would still be the leader among NL SS's if I ran them again right now. As for the Rookie of the Year award, I think Prince Fielder might have something to say about that....
3B - Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins (7 HR, 35 RBI, 5 SB, .327 BA)
His numbers are very similar to ARod's at this point in the season.
Editor's Note: Actually, Cabrera trailed Morgan Ensberg entering Monday's play. Each have had two home runs this week, though Cabrera has had the better all-around numbers. It would be awfully close if I ran them right now.
C - Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves (5 HR, 21 RBI, 1 SB, .347 BA)
Just edges out Josh Willingham at this point in the season, but my personal vote goes to Michael Barrett based solely on his slugging percentage (especially when A.J. Pierzynski is in the game).
Editor's Note: Entering play Monday, Willingham did still lead all National Leauge Catchers with 856 points. McCann, who is second with 832 pro-rated points, may have actually gained on Willingham by default, as Willingham has gone hitless in eight at bats this week. Willingham is listed as an outfielder on the ballot, so it's a moot point.
OF - Alfonso Soriano, Washington Nationals (16 HR, 31 RBI, 10 SB, .281 BA)
The best thing about fantasy baseball is: defense doesn't count.
OF - Carlos Lee, Milwaukee Brewers (15 HR, 39 RBI, 3 SB, .268 BA)
One of the most consistent hitters in the game, he's like the Energizer Bunny. Go ahead and pencil him in for 32 homers and 119 RBI for the year.
OF - Matt Holliday,Colorado Rockies (11 HR, 37 RBI, 2 SB, .326 BA)
Carlos Beltrán and Jason Bay are nipping at his heels, but the numbers point to Holliday so far.
Editor's Note: Soriano (1,472), Lee (1,409), and Holliday (1,386) do, in fact, rank 1-2-3 in our Outfield rankings based on current pace. That goes for both leagues, as the top AL Outfielder (Vernon Wells) is on pace for 1,330.
Write In 1 - Lance Berkman, Houston Astros (14 HR, 43 RBI, 1 SB, .304 BA)
He'd be a starter if he was listed as an outfielder, and there is no shame in finishing second behind Albert Pujols at first base. His numbers are very close to Thome's in the A.L.
Write In 2 - Felipe López, Cincinnati Reds (5 HR, 18 RBI, 16 SB, .305 BA)
Barely eclipsed at shortstop, and enjoying a start statistically superior to Chase Utley, López deserves recognition as the N.L. utility player.
Editor's Note: Berkman and Carlos Delgado would be the selections here, dependent upon whether or not you went with Hanley Ramirez or Felipe Lopez at SS. Lopez (1,287) actually has better numbers than Delgado by our overall fantasy rankings, though Hanley Ramirez would fall a bit shy of Delgado.
The beauty of the All-Star game is that it belongs to the fans. Vote early. Vote often. Vote for your favorites or your hometown players. But most importantly, no matter what you do ... don't vote for Barry Bonds.
Editor's Note: Just for fun, I'll add the top starting pitchers and relievers based on current pace to this pont in the season in each league. We're only going to name the top pitcher at each position in each league. Pedro Martinez would edge out Brandon Webb for the honors in the National League, and he would square off against former Met prospect Scott Kazmir, who has a slight edge on Mike Mussina in the AL. Jon Papelbon would close for the American League, while the best free agent closer of the offseason has been (drum roll, please) none other than Tom Gordon, the closer for the National League.
Feature Articles 
AL:
1B-Paul Konerko
2B-Jose Lopez
3B-Eric Chavez (A bit of homerism came into play here. My justification is defense. A-Rod = 8 errors, 10 dp's...Chavez = 2 errors, 15 dp's
SS-Miguel Tejada
C-Ramon Hernandez
OF-Vladimir Guerrero
OF-Grady Sizemore
OF-Jonny Gomes
NL:
1B-Albert Pujols (they should have a Pujols category where he automatically gets in every year, then a 1B one as well to give the other guys a shot)
2B-Chase Utley
3B-Jose Reyes (pretty close to F.Lopez, again much better defensively though)
SS-Miguel Cabrera
C-Johnny Estrada (been turning it on as of late)
OF-Matt Holliday
OF-Jason Bay
OF-Carlos Beltran