It has been five long years since the Pirates have had a position in the All Star game voted in by fans. All Stars are selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers. I’m a sucker for the Home Run Derby each year, but if the right players are playing, I’ll usually watch the All Star game itself.
The Pirates have three players Jose Tabata, Neil Walker, and Pedro Alvarez on the ballot. What most of Pirates nation is wandering is where is our man Andrew McCutchen? This just in – Andrew McCutchen along with Pirates shortstop Ronny Cedeno have both been added to the MVP ballot!
Andrew McCutchen started slow in his second year as a professional, but he is coming around. He also was named as the game’s best center fielder by the MLB Network. He has blazing speed, a nice bat, and it’s just nice to watch the dreadlocks peel around the bases. McCutchen has 9 home runs, 29 RBI’s, and has a batting average of .257 so far, with more to come. He is most likely to get voted in as a fan favorite. Pirates fans have been loving him since last year when he came onto the scene.
Ronny Cedeno is the Pirates’ shortstop. He has 2 homeruns, 16 RBI’s, and a batting average of .240. I’d like to say Ronny has a chance here, but honestly Philli’s Jimmy Rollins will probably get the vote. No matter how much controversy comes with Rollins – he’s still a fan favorite.
Jose Tabata plays left field for the Pirates. He was a 2005 international signee for the Yankees and was traded to the Pirates in 2010. He is in his second season for the Bucs and is having a strong year. Tabata has 8 RBI’s, 3 Homers, and is listed as having a .252 percent batting average. Last year Tabata tied for 8th in Rookie of the Year voting. Tabata is young and has a lot of potential. Tabata is consistent, but possibly not the Pirates best bet for the All Star game. There are just too many outfielders (including McCutchen) that he will be picked this year.
Pittsburgh’s own Neil Walker plays 2nd base for the Pirates. He has 6 RBI’s to go along with 18 home runs and is listed as having a .264 batting average. Not bad Neil. Neil played for the Beaver Valley Baseball Club in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. This two time winner of the Pittsburgh Post Gazettes hits well and fields well, but he learned in Wexford. 2nd base is covered, that’s one thing the Pirates know. My personal choice for All Star but probably won’t be elected as the best for 2nd base for the National League. There is a lot of competition at 2nd base, including fan favorite Philli’s Chase Utley.
Pedro Alvarez plays third base for the Pirates and might be the best chance for current All Star ballot getters. The only problem is that Alvarez is on the disabled listed and currently battling a right quadriceps strain. Go figure. He’s listed as being on the 15 day DL, but if he comes back the way he started, he’ll be in good shape to punch his ticket as an All Star. Alvarez might not be the best at the plate, but he has managed 2 Home Runs and 10 RBI’s and a .208 average and is arguably the best that is playing 3rd base for the National League right now.
Fans can cast their votes up to 25 times on MLB.com. Get your votes in today! http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2011/ballot.jsp
written by JC
alvarez pick up where he left off? the guy is hitting .208 and you think he has a chance of making an all star squad? of course there are five pirates on the ballot, every player that plays is on the ballot!
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