The 2011 MLB All Star Game is now three weeks away, with the selection show approximately two weeks out. Major League Baseball released the latest American League voting results and once again the Oakland Athletics remain out of the top vote-getters, as would be expected given their offensive struggles this season. One wonders where Jemile Weeks might be in balloting if he had been called up to start the season. Not that he would have put up similar numbers as now, but it's a fun exercise to play.
The A's will likely send any representatives from their pitching. Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez have put together very respectable seasons thus far and would be deserving selections. However, a comment during the A's telecast on Tuesday night got me thinking about another option out of the bullpen. While Andrew Bailey has not been back long enough to rack up sufficient stats and Brian Fuentes has struggled with his consistency, Grant Balfour and Brad Ziegler might be worth considering in the conversation at this point.
Both operate in middle relief roles but given the idea that each league needs to win this game for World Series home field advantage, it makes sense to include some strong relief pitchers outside of closers. Balfour and Ziegler have each put together excellent 2011 seasons that could justify a spot. I'm not holding my breath that either will make the team, but I don't think it's entirely crazy to consider including them. Grant Balfour is 4-1 with 2 saves, a 2.69 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings. Brad Ziegler is 2-0 with 1 save, a 1.93 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 23 1/3 innings. The AL could use some strong right handed relief pitchers and you could make an argument that Balfour or Ziegler deserves the call.
Here is a rundown of the latest results for the American League:
2011 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING (as of June 21)
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,226,797
Alex Avila, Tigers: 1,730,511
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,341,474
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 1,135,617
Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 980,697
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 3,017,960
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 2,407,665
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,771,893
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 890,468
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 676,194
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 3,664,498
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,239,172
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,452,880
Orlando Cabrera, Indians: 910,941
Ben Zobrist, Rays: 828,771
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 2,876,537
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,307,380
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,025,438
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,639,405
Brandon Inge, Tigers: 490,734
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 2,654,040
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,242,157
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,513,929
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 875,371
Marco Scutaro, Red Sox: 813,888
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 3,116,578
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,760,195
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,120,830
Victor Martinez, Tigers: 932,711
Johnny Damon, Rays: 864,535
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 4,156,940
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 3,473,227
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 2,400,408
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 2,249,323
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 1,789,097
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,537,101
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,462,426
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,271,843
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,120,179
J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 1,112,720
Matt Joyce, Rays: 1,038,098
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 906,983
Grady Sizemore, Indians: 867,281
David Murphy, Rangers: 785,630
Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 764,817