3 Mets who will be All-Stars, 3 who are deserving but will fall short
It is hard to believe that it's that time of year again to begin voting for players to be in the MLB All-Star Game. It feels like it has not been that long ago since Opening Day, but now fans can begin voting for their favorite MLB players to play in the Mid-Summer Classic this year in Seattle. That mean's you New York Mets fans!
So with voting now underway, which Mets players should be in the game this year? Obviously, there have been players who are playing at an all-star type level that we expected and there are some that have surprised in both good and bad ways. Some players have overachieved and some who we thought would have breakout years have underachieved. But with a crowded field of MLB stars this year, which three New York Mets players are guaranteed locks to be selected and which ones are having good years but probably won't make it?
1) Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will be an All-Star
This should really come to no surprise for baseball fans everywhere, Pete Alonso is having a crazy start to his season and should be a guaranteed lock to be a starter for the National League in the All Star Game. He leads the league in home runs has been to the Mid-Summer Classic in two of the five years he's been in the league so far.
Plus, there is not many first basemen in the NL that I would say is better than Alonso right now. Sure, Paul Goldschmidt is having a good year for the St. Louis Cardinals so far, but he's not putting up lights out stats like Alonso is right now. So, I don't see any first basemen in my opinion in the National League right now who's deserving of an all-star appearance over Pete Alonso.
2) Mets reliever David Robertson will be an All-Star
This may come as a surprise for many, but you got to give credit where credit is due, David Robertson is exceeding expectations for the Mets this season and has my vote to be a starting reliever for the All-Star Game. Robertson has really stepped up in the absence of Edwin Diaz and has proved at age 38, he can still pitch at a high level.
Unlike Alonso at first base, there is in fact a crowded field of NL relievers that may give Robertson a challenge to make the roster but if he keeps up the pace he is on right now, he should be considered to be a starter in the game. I truly believe he has pitched a lot better than some other relievers and closers this year that should help his case. For example, veteran closer Craig Kimbrel has had a rough real in his first season in Philly pitching to an ERA over five while Robertson's ERA is hoverning just below two which is very impressive.
Even though he has not pitched as insane and electric as other star relievers like Josh Hader and Devin Williams, Robertson still was not expected to be this sharp for the Mets this season. He is deserving of an All-Star appearance. He has done a great job keeping the ball in the ballpark and ahs avoided a lot of traffic on the bases. So give credit where credit is due. David Robertson is an All-Star this season.
3) Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will be an All-Star
If Mets catcher Fransico Alvarez is not an All-Star this season, something is wrong. This kid was not supposed to be this good after he struggled so much late last season and during Spring Training but it has all changed for the better for Francisco Alvarez so don't be surprised if he's on his way to Seattle for the Mid-Summer Classic.
He's second in the National League in home runs with seven next to Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy which is pretty good company. And next Murphy, there's a really good argument that Fransisco Alvarez is the second best catcher in the National League East and possibly the entire National League.
Think about it, Alvarez was only hitting in the low .200's around the middle of May and now it is up to near .270's, just so impressive. He's also gotten a lot better on defense and has showcased that he's got a really good arm behind the plate and has proved that he can be the Mets catcher for the future. Alvarez has also developed into a hitter who has avoided chasing pitches out of the zone he did so much during his rookie season and when he was first called up this season. He has finally matured at the plate and it is hard not to vote against Francisco Alvarez for the All-Star game. His power is now on full display just as he showed in the minors and like I said besides Braves backstop Sean Murphy, Alvarez is a top catcher in the National League right now if he keeps this pace up.
1) Mets shortstop Fransico Lindor won't get an All-Star spot
It has been an interesting season for Francisco Lindor. He has been hitting his home runs in bunches as of late and driving in runs but just like last season, I think he will be snubbed of an All-Star appearance this season. He's had a good season so far don't get me wrong, but I think there would be a stat if it does not change that will have an impact on the voting. His batting average.
Right now his hitting in the mid .220's which will not blow anyone away, but he has more extra-base hits than singles. But that still does not matter as I think he will not get in. They're a ton of National League shortstops and infielders who are having great years in terms of batting average that will make Lindor overlooked. Players like Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson and Orlando Arcia are all having much better seasons than Lindor in terms of their batting average which will make it hard for Lindor to get in I think.
Lastly, there are other infielders rather than shortstops that are having much better seasons than Lindor which will make it even more tougher for Lindor to be an All-Star. Second basemen Luis Arraez and Ozzie Albies have had really good years as well. The National League is full of talented infielders so it will be a tough challenge for Lindor to get in and I don't see it happening again this year for Lindor unfortunately.
2) Mets centerfielder Brandon Nimmo won't get an All-Star spot
Brandon Nimmo has had a really good season and a season and the Mets should be happy they brought him back. He's been able to get on base, draw walks and come up with clutch hits, but he's been overlooked and not talked about as much. That is why he will not be an All-Star this season. It is crazy to think that he's been in the league for eight seasons now and has not been an All-Star yet and that trend will continue.
They're just a bunch of outfielders in the National League who are much more talented than Nimmo. This is not a knock on Brandon Nimmo, he is a really good player and does a great job to get on base and can really flash the leather, he is just overlooked by other players. Nimmo just does not have the power that these other players do.
There have been other outfielders who produce more with the bat and have more power with those being Ronald Acuña Jr, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and even former Met Michael Conforto who has a really good first season with the San Francisco Giants.
Nimmo is a really good player don't get me wrong, he is just simply overlooked by a crowded field of outfielders in the National League. I am happy the Mets brought him back on a long-term deal, but unless he changes a lot more with the bat and shows off his power like these other National League outfielders have, I'm afraid he won't get an All-Star selection.
3) Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga won't get an All-Star spot
It has been a sort of up and down season for Japanese rookie pitcher Kodai Senga. He has shown that he can be a dominating starting pitcher but also at some points has been rocky. I think after his last handful starts has shown that he can possibly be an All-Star pitcher, but I don't think it will happen this year.
He will have his opportunities to make All-Star appearances but Senga has shown that he can be a bit inconsistent at times. His walks are still an issue that needs to be worked out and just like the NL's infielder and outfield, there are a bunch of other pitchers in the National League that have had a much better season which will make it hard for Senga to get a selection in the game.
Pitchers like Zac Gallen for the Diamondbacks and Zack Wheeler for the Phillies have been having great years for their teams. Also for the Atlanta Braves. Spencer Strider has been pitching great for the Braves as well and former Met Marcus Stroman for the Cubs too has been lights out too pitching a one-hitter in his last start.
Senga has been pitching well as a of late in particular in his last outing against the Phillies on Monday only giving up one hit in seven innings striking out nine which got Mets fans excited about what else he bring to the table. He still needs to do that more consistently which is his main problem but hes' been having an under the radar rookie season that should deserve him a spot on the NL All-Star roster but I don't think it will happen this season.