Who might the Giants All-Stars be?
This would have been a preposterous question to ask 30 days ago. Back then, the Giants were getting their passports bashed apart in Mexico City by a San Diego Padres team that seemed way more fun, way more star-laden, and way more better than the product the Giants were putting on the field. To look up and down that 11-16 roster and ask which of these players, as in plural, would be toeing the foul line in Seattle for the Midsummer Classic in July seemed like a laughable affair.
But then that all changed. The Giants are 17-11 since they crossed the border and dealt with the ensuing stomach bug that followed them. Not only have they climbed back into the playoff race, but they have done so in a manner few Giants fans thought possible just 30 days ago: with an infusion of young talent, and breakout performances from key veteran players that Giants fans were starting to worry would not come after an abysmal April.
The Giants have risen back into the playoff hunt not because one or two guys are stepping up, but because a multitude of them are stepping up. So much so, that the idea of having more than one Giants player taking part in the All-Star Game in July is now a realistic conversation one can have. So, let’s have that conversation shall we.
But All-Star selections can be tricky, and the pathway to the Midsummer Classic is littered with the tales of snubs from years past. While many players on the Giants are having stellar seasons right now, not every one of them will get that all-star nod. To illustrate just how close certain players are to the All Star Game, I decided to break them down into five easy to follow categories
Everybody Gets One: That is the rule. In the MLB All Star Game, each team gets one representative. So even if the Giants go 0- the rest of the first half, THIS GUY will at least be at the All-Star Game.
Locks: No doubt about it, book their flights now because this guy has absolutely played well enough to be considered one of the stars of the National League.
Should Be In: These players have had great seasons that should warrant All-Star selections, but a numbers game could force them out of the game or into the final vote. Maybe they are the first names brought up when another guy drops out.
On The Bubble: It could go either way with these guys. They have played well enough to garner consideration, but no one will be crying snub if they do not get in.
Outside Looking In: As well as these guys have played, they have not done enough to get into the All-Star conversation, but that does not take away from the success that they have had this season.
So here is where your current Giants All Stars stand on the day the All-Star Game voting officially opened up.
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Everybody Gets One: Thairo Estrada
Estrada has been the Giants best and most consistent hitter all season long before landing on the 10-Day IL last week. Among qualifying second basemen in the National League, Estrada is 2nd in batting average (.301) 5th in home runs (6) and 3rd in WRC+ (123 – which is a good number trust me) and first in WAR (2.0). And the defensive metrics will confirm what your eyes are showing you: Estrada has made remarkable improvements on defense.
Lock: Camilo Doval
After a shaky start, Doval rocketed his way up the National League reliever power rankings in May, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. He led the NL in saves in May with 11, and has a league high 14 as of right now. His .71 ERA in May lowered his overall ERA down to 1.90, 13th best in the league among relievers and a far cry from the ghastly 6.00 ERA he was lugging around the first week of the season. I am calling it, Camilo Doval will be an All Star this season.
Should Be In: Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, J.D. Davis
I want to call Webb a lock so badly, but my worry is a slow start to the season could have him buried in the numbers game. Assuming the NL takes 8 starting pitchers, it is conceivable that Webb falls outside that top 8, but would most likely be the first name that pops up when a pitcher’s inevitably withdraws. Webb is pitching like an absolute All Star right now though, and after sneaking into the top of some pretty impressive pitching categories, he should be a lock for the game soon.
Cobb certainly had the look of an All Star a couple weeks ago, when he led the NL with a 1.70 ERA, but he has been roughed up in his last three starts (12 runs in 14.1 IP and a 7.53 ERA) and is trending in the wrong direction for All Star consideration. That said, he should still be on the short list of pitchers called in to replace other pitchers who drop out.
You might be surprised to see Davis here, but he should absolutely be in the All-Star Game as of right now. Just a few of Davis’ stat rankings among NL third baseman: .276 BA (2nd), 1.5 WAR (t-1st) 30 RBI (5th) 9 home runs (5th). While Davis should be in, he could be a numbers game victim as well. Max Muncy is probably the favorite to get the start (I know, yuck), and Austin Riley of the Braves, Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Jeimer Candelario of the Nationals are also going to be in the mix for what could be one backup third baseman slot.
On The Bubble: Michael Conforto, Anthony DeSclafani
The one thing Michael Conforto has going for him is home runs. His 11 has him tied for third among NL outfielders along with Ronald Acuna Jr (who will probably start) Mookie Betts (would not be shocked if he was starting too) and Jack Suwinski of the Pirates. The NL has a deep pool of outfielders to choose from, plus a DH, so there is time for Conforto to play his way into the mix, even with the slow start in April, and of course assuming he does not miss a ton of time with the injury to his heel.
DeSclafani has been a rock in the Giants rotation this season, and after posting a 2.70 ERA in April over 30 innings for a bad Giants team, was in a competition with Estrada to be the Giants “Everybody Gets One” pick. Alas, a 4.10 ERA in May has seen him slip back into the crowd, and while he has still been good on the mound, good is not always enough to be an All Star.
On The Outside Looking In: Lamonte Wade Jr., Casey Schmitt, Tyler Rogers
Lamonte Wade Jr. has taken the league by storm with his ability to get on base without swinging the bat, but he is still swinging the bat too. But getting on base, while very important in today’s game, is not enough to get you onto the All-Star Team.
If J.D. Davis is going to get numbers gamed out of Seattle due to the crowded fielder of infielders, then there is even litter hope for Schmitt breaking in. This is more a recognition of how much Schmitt’s arrival has coincided with the Giants getting their season on track. I expect Schmitt to make many Midsummer Classics in his career, just not this one.
Rogers has been his usually stellar self this season, but middle relievers and set up guys rarely make the All-Star Game unless they are the lone representative for a team chasing down a 100-loss season.
