For the National League, Major League Baseball's All Star Game has been a wreck since 1997. Over those past eleven years, the American League has gone 10-0-1 in the game that now determines home-field advantage in the World Series.
Over the next several days, I will compare all of the leading vote-getters at each position for both leagues and determine which league has the edge at that position.
Today's position: Catcher.
National League: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs
Soto, who has almost twice as many votes as second-place Brian McCann, has been having a tremendous rookie season for the NL's best club. He is batting .280 with 11 homers through 60 games and has one hit per game this season, more than sufficient for a rookie catcher.
- B/R Ticket Guide
In the category that many voters overlook, Soto has done a tremendous job handling the Cubs' pitching. When was the last June that we could say that Carlos Zambrano hadn't stirred things up in the Cubbies' clubhouse? Soto is a very impressive player with a great future ahead of him.
American League: Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox
Varitek is having the type of season you would expect out of him, judging by his stats from the past two years. He is batting .257 through 54 games with seven home runs. He has struck out 50 times thus far, and walked only 18 times.
Varitek is obviously a spectacular leader, and for that reason he still wears the C on his uniform.
With Red Sox Nation on his side, this simple fact is why he leads AL catchers in votes and will likely start July 15th at Yankee Stadium. Contrary to Soto, Varitek's abilities to play are slowly diminishing and it's about time that the Red Sox part ways with him.
Advantage: Soto and the National League
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6 months ago
Bias aside, I think Yadier Molina deserves the nod here. He is the best defensive catcher in the game, bar none. Also, he is hitting .296 at the dish!
6 months ago
Soto has been struggling lately, because i recall seeing his average in the .300s just a couple weeks ago. All in his first full season. Soto more than deserves the spot in the all-star game.
6 months ago
I could also see a case for Russell Martin of the Dodgers. He's a great hitter with speed (a rarity among catchers) and is developing into a solid leader and defensive presence behind the dish. As a Cubs fan, I'm glad to see that Soto is leading the voting, but just wanted to throw that one out there for consideration. Varitek is still a plus behind the plate but Mauer is clearly more deserving in the AL. As you say, Boston needs to start looking for a young catcher as Tek is a free agent after this season. Look for Boston to re-sign him to a 2 year deal.
6 months ago
I'll give you a better NL cathcer htat deserves this spot. Brian McCann over .300 n hits for power not to mentioon a great arm behind the plate
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