clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

MLB All-Star Game starters: How many Rays will make the cut?

Will the Rays have any All-Stars?

By Daniel Russell
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Rays don't stand a chance in the popularity contest that is online voting, which has been dominated by Royals-heavy voting this season, but they do stand a chance at more than one player on this year's roster thanks to their run at first place thus far.

For the pitching side, sudden Cy Young candidate Chris Archer is far-and-away the shoo-in from this Rays roster. Here's the Fangraphs leaderboard as of this morning, using a 2+ WAR cutoff:

# Name Team W L GS K/9 BB/9 ERA FIP WAR
1 Chris Sale White Sox 6 4 15 12.28 1.92 2.87 2.09 3.7
2 Corey Kluber Indians 3 9 17 10.69 1.82 3.64 2.45 3.5
3 Chris Archer Rays 9 5 18 10.97 2.18 2.18 2.46 3.3
4 Clay Buchholz Red Sox 7 6 17 8.51 1.88 3.27 2.55 3.1
5 Sonny Gray Athletics 9 3 16 8.11 2.17 2.09 2.67 3.0
6 Michael Pineda Yankees 8 5 16 9.48 1.17 3.79 2.57 3.0
7 David Price Tigers 8 2 17 8.23 1.69 2.54 2.90 2.9
8 Dallas Keuchel Astros 10 3 17 7.38 2.24 2.03 2.93 2.9
9 Carlos Carrasco Indians 10 6 16 10.17 1.94 3.88 2.77 2.4

This morning on Sports Center the one and only Buster Olney declared that Chris Archer is the most deserving starter among the top candidates, bolstered by that 2.18 ERA.

On offense, there are three candidates the Rays may hope to land in the Summer Classic. Just check the Fangraphs leaderboard using the same 2+ WAR cutoff.

# Name Team PA wOBA wRC+ HR SB WAR
1 Jason Kipnis Indians 368 .399 163 6 10 4.8
2 Mike Trout Angels 346 .408 171 21 9 4.5
3 Josh Donaldson Blue Jays 365 .379 142 19 3 4.3
4 Manny Machado Orioles 348 .380 144 17 11 3.7
5 Miguel Cabrera Tigers 333 .436 184 15 1 3.6
6 Lorenzo Cain Royals 301 .360 131 6 15 3.6
7 Kevin Kiermaier Rays 277 .302 97 4 9 3.0
8 Jose Bautista Blue Jays 325 .388 149 16 3 2.9
9 Russell Martin Blue Jays 279 .360 129 12 4 2.8
10 J.D. Martinez Tigers 325 .381 145 22 2 2.8
11 Brian Dozier Twins 355 .359 131 16 7 2.7
12 Stephen Vogt Athletics 304 .380 149 13 0 2.7
13 Mookie Betts Red Sox 352 .342 116 9 13 2.7
14 George Springer Astros 324 .361 133 13 14 2.6
15 Brett Gardner Yankees 331 .372 138 9 15 2.6
16 Logan Forsythe Rays 321 .352 132 8 7 2.5
17 Yoenis Cespedes Tigers 329 .344 119 10 3 2.4
18 Alex Gordon Royals 297 .349 124 9 1 2.4
19 Evan Longoria Rays 329 .329 116 8 2 2.4
20 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox 314 .357 127 9 1 2.3
21 Albert Pujols Angels 327 .375 148 24 1 2.3
22 Mike Moustakas Royals 319 .350 125 7 1 2.3
23 Brian McCann Yankees 267 .349 122 13 0 2.3
24 Xander Bogaerts Red Sox 311 .331 108 3 4 2.2
25 Jose Altuve Astros 328 .329 111 7 23 2.2
26 Trevor Plouffe Twins 321 .330 111 10 1 2.1
27 Adam Jones Orioles 294 .338 115 10 3 2.1
28 Kevin Pillar Blue Jays 323 .315 98 7 12 2.1
29 Josh Reddick Athletics 310 .352 129 11 3 2.1
30 Alex Rodriguez Yankees 322 .385 147 15 1 2.1

One of these things is not like the other, and that's Kiermaier's sub-100 wRC+ standing in the top ten in WAR for the American League. He and Longoria make the cut thanks to quality defense at their positions, but KK's is so stellar he might actually stand a chance at making the team.

Elsewhere, Logan Forsythe's career year as the starting second baseman currently rests 16th on the big board. His .282/.368/.429 slash line isn't gorgeous, but it's quality for his position.

The All-Star starters announcement is tonight and full rosters are announced tomorrow. Cross your fingers.

More From DRaysBay