That's fair, but for some reason people seemed to pay a lot more attention to Osuna's issues than Chapman's. Maybe I'm completely off, but I really think that the MLB would try to not have him there if they could justify it by sending other justifiably worth players (albeit Chapman could be a worthy player who, like you said, also has a history with DV).
Crazy to think that Altuve is out and Bregman is maybe the last one in... Verlander Osuna Pressly Springer Brantley Correa ... Bregman?
I think Cole’s gotta be on that list too. ERA is a little inflated but should come down over next few starts, has a 2.74 FIP, leads league in K’s by a large margin, has thrown a lot of innings and has a very low WHIP. At this point in the season it would be a huge snub if he didn’t make it (whether that be as one of the initial selections or as a replacement for someone else who wouldn’t be able to pitch).
I hope Cole goes crazy his next few starts, but there's too many other teams who need their 'one' player.
Looking at the vote totals on this first update, Altuve, Correa, Bregman, Springer and Brantley are neat locks to advance to the next/final stage of voting (the Election Day). Chirinos is very close to the top 3 and is less than 2K votes shy of Castro for 3rd place. Gurriel doesn’t have a chance and Reddick is hanging on to the 9 spot in the OF. Diaz also looks like he won’t have much of a chance.
Man, when this post started I thought the astros were going to have 7 all stars and have 10 guys that could make a case with a straight face. I see it only now as JV, Bregman and Pressley. Brantley might get in there. He's deserving and if the Astros are going well that probably makes sense to have 4 What a shitty chunk losing Altuve, Correa and Springer has been. Sucks not to get to see them doing their thing, probably missing out on all star game and the like. Osuna and Chirinos should probably be in, but won't imo b/c of bad name rep and no name rep. Cole probably deserves it but won't make it b/c of bad ERA. Reddick would have been starting this game in 1987 with good BA average and defense- league is too smart for that now- but hat tip for a really good year for Josh so far. This team is absurdly loaded. Also, if "specialist" was a position Straw would be toward the top of my draft board. I kind of think it'd be cool if "specialist" was a position.
The thing is, Springer could still easily be voted in. Cole’s K numbers are so ridiculous that he might make it despite a slightly inflated ERA. Miley has an outside shot. As does Chirinos and Osuna. Still think we’ll end up with 5.
Good reminder to go vote your five times per day: https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot It's easy. You can literally keep clicking vote again (after a captcha each time) until you've used up your votes. VOTE FOR CHIRINOS. DO IT. He deserves an All-Star appearance more than anyone on our team, especially since he's never had one. Honestly, given the choices on the ballot in their respective positions and given the injuries to players on our team, this is who I voted for: Bregman Chirinos Reddick Brantley That's it. I didn't even fill out votes for other players on other teams or any of the NL, because I didn't know enough to make those calls. There. Did my votes for today. Don't forget to uncheck signing up the MLB newsletter at the bottom of the page.
All those could happen. 5 would be better than I think, but lower than it was tending. I’m honestly not kidding when I say I think that if Houston was fully healthy and playing a 3 game set against the rest of the AL all stars I wouldn’t bet against us winning the series. If Alvarez is good the only position I’d feel at a real talent disadvantage at would be 1B and RF (assuming Yordan is DH). And 7th inning guy. And 1B in the AL kind of sucks anyway.
Second voting update came out today and it’s looking good for quite a few Astros to make it into the top 3 at their position and therefore the Election Day in a couple weeks. Bregman: 1st by a ton at 3B. Likely starter. Springer: 2nd only to Trout in OF. Likely starter. Brantley: 3rd to Trout and Springer. Could very well end up top 3 on Election Day and start. Likely All-Star. Altuve: 2nd to LaStella at 2B. Guaranteed top 3 and with his popularity could win the Election Day vote to start at 2B. Correa: Guaranteed top 3 at SS. Currently 2nd. Could win the vote, but wouldn’t be ready for the All-Star game anyway. Chirinos: 3rd at C. 50K? Ahead of Castro for 3rd. Should undoubtedly make the team but doubtful to win Election Day. Gurriel: 5th? at 1B. Won’t make it. Diaz: 5th at DH. Won’t make it. Reddick: Currently top 9 OF so should make it to Election Day. Doubtful to make the game though. By this math, we have three position players (Bregman, Springer and Brantley) who are either near locks or have a very good chance or making the team. Altuve has an outside shot. Should have both Verlander and Cole. Pressly could make it as well. On the conservative side of a projection, we’re looking at 5 Astros in Cleveland for the All-Star Game. On the more optimistic side of a projection you’re looking at 7 Astros. Not bad at all even if it’s 5.
merit (and circumstance), not stupid fan voting: Verlander Pressly Bregman Chirinos Maybe/possibly: Osuna, Springer...Cole?
If Springer comes back this weekend or next week I’d boost him to merit based selection. His first two months were so good.
LOCKS: Bregman Springer Brantley JV Osuna NEAR LOCKS: Correa & Altuve (could get fan vote) with a hot streak could get the ASG worthy #’s Chirinos - probably the 2nd hitting catcher in the AL behind an MVP candidate (Gary Sanchez) Pressly - Should make it, but he is still a setup man. CONSIDERATION: Cole - K’s help Reddick - Fantastic season
Osuna's domestic violence accusation, plus the fact that there are other great closers on teams that need somebody represented (like Shane Greene in DET) hurt his chances. I'd say Bregman, Springer, Brantley, and JV are the first four, with Pressly, Chirinos, Altuve, and either Cole or Reddick being named "replacements".
The primary results will be revealed during our game tonight on MLB Network. Hope as many of our guys as possible made it! The Election Day is next Wednesday into Thursday.
7 Astros will move on to the Election Day that starts next Wednesday! Only ones not to advance are Gurriel and Diaz. Let’s vote in as many as possible!
Just saw Vladdy Jr. is participating in the HR Derby...man it would be fun and a huge boost for the game/HR derby if Yordan does as well.
