Five First Place Orioles Will Head To The 2016 All-Star Game In San Diego

Great last night for the O’s. A big time 4-1 win over the Dodgers to snap a 5 game losing streak. Furthermore the Yankees are a dumpster fire, the Red Sox had a horrible June, and the Orioles are in first place at the halfway mark of the season. Think we all would have taken that at the beginning of the season, right? And just a nice mid-season cherry on the sundae is 5 O’s will be flying out to San Diego next week for the All Star Game.

Third Base Starter – Manny Machado – Third All-Star Selection

No brainer. Manny has been the best third baseman in the A.L. all season. He was the leading vote getter at the position, and deserved it. I think even if he was putting up bad numbers, he would have been voted in because of his brawl with the Royals. Manny has been on fire all season long, and doesn’t look like he will slow down anytime soon. Earning his first All-Star start at third, you could have argued that he should start at shortstop too because of the 44 games he played there due to J.J. Hardy’s broken foot.

Machado leads all American League third baseman in at-bats (324), hits (105), doubles (29), average (.324), and slugging (.590), and second in runs (59),  and OPS (.970). He also has hit 19 HRs to go with 53 RBI and 27 walks. Not to mention his Gold Glove like defense at the hot corner where no ball hit his way is unplayable. This should be the first of many All-Star starts for Manny.

Catcher – Matt Wieters – Fourth All-Star Selection

What a bounce back year for Wieters. After his Tommy John Surgery in 2014, Wieters only played in 75 games last year, and all of Baltimore thought that was the last we’d see of him in Baltimore. He signed the Qualifying Offer, and returned on a one-year deal. He’s done exactly what we’ve needed him to do this season too. Clutch hits on Opening Day, and a huge series winning hit off Chapman in the rain are just a few of the big spots Wieters has come through for the Birds this season. The defense isn’t what it once was, but there’s still not many defensive catchers I’d take over him.

Outfield – Mark Trumbo – Second All-Star Selection 

Best trade of the offseason, and there is no doubt about it. Trumbo was looked at as insurance in case Chris Davis left, and now he’s leading the A.L. in dongs with 24. Trumbo has split time in the outfield, as well as DH, and a game at first, but he made his second All-Star team because he can flat-out rake.

You can tell he loves hitting in Camden Yards, because he has already surpassed his HR total from last year. On the year he is hitting .280, leading all outfielders with 24 HR, 62 RBI, third in slugging (.552), fourth in hits (92), and sixth in runs (48). Sounds like Trumbo may be interested in doing the Home Run derby as well, why not, he mashes. I think he should have been a starter, leading home run hitter on the best team in the division, but whatever, still great to see the new guy get his recognition. Congrats to Mark on his second appearance.

Closer – Zach Britton – Second All-Star Selection

Britton has been lights out this season, much like he was last year. 24-24 in save opportunities, an microscopic ERA of 0.78, 43 Ks in 34.2 IP, only 8 walks, he’s also holding opponents to a .158 average and is sporting a WHIP of 0.78. He was a dominant closer for the last few seasons, and is continuing that trend this year. He is using the best sinker in the game to induce 10.60 ground outs for every fly out this season, Britton doesn’t give up home runs because he doesn’t let the ball get in the air, simple as that. Britton is no doubt the best closer in the American League.

Reliever – Brad Brach – First All-Star Selection

This is a great selection by Ned Yost and the coaches. Brad Brach, the Padres 42nd round pick back in 2008, gets to go back to where it started and prove that he is one of the most underrated relievers in the game. Brach came to Baltimore before the 2014 season in a trade, and has been amazing ever since. He has worked his tail off to be where he is, and has earned this spot in this great bullpen, as well as this All-Star game.

In an increased workload this season, mostly due to Darren O’Day being injured, Brach has secured the 8th inning, and is the bridge to Zach Britton. Brach had a great year last season (5-3, 2.72 ERA, 89 Ks in 79.1 IP, 1.197 WHIP), but he has been so much better this season. You look at these stats, and realize that Ned Yost LOVES relievers, he was a no-brainer for the All-Star game. 5-1 with an ERA of 0.99, 2 saves, 53 Ks in 45.2 IP, only 5 ER, and a WHIP of 0.79. It’s insanely hard for a middle reliever to make an All-Star team, but if one guy deserved it, it’s Brad.

This is pretty damn cool too, neat move by Buck here.

There could have easily been 6 or 7 Orioles picked, with Chris Davis and Chris Tillman stuck on the outside looking in. I thought Davis could have snuck in, but it’s not surprising that he isn’t on the team. Before last night Tillman hadn’t looked good over his previous 3 starts, and I think he could use a little rest instead of chucking it in San Diego.

These 5 selections make it 20 for the Birds in the All-Star game since 2012, which is cool to see that many guys get named. I remember watching guys like Ty Wigginton and George Sherrill get picked back in the day because every team needed someone. Feels good to see your players getting the recognition they deserve and I can’t wait to see them out there.