Colorado Rockies: Who deserves an All-Star Game spot

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Jun 18, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) warms up on deck in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

On June 14, Major League Baseball released the initial All-Star Ballot results. The Colorado Rockies only had a single player appear in the Top 10 for their position, the seventh-place vote-getter, second baseman Ryan McMahon. As the voting stands today, the All-Star Game host city (Denver) would not have a single-player make the All-Star roster.

This, of course, isn’t really the case because of the MLB’s “every team gets a player rule,” ensuring every team gets a representative in the big event. This, however, could well be the first time since 2009 that the Colorado Rockies would not produce a starter. With that in mind, I looked at the data.

Are there any Colorado Rockies players who deserve an All-Star Game nod?

If so, what favorability can be expected because of the club hosting the game this year?

The Host Precedence

In order to see if my fears may be realized, I looked back through franchise history and see what happened to other host teams. Based on the data, things look good for the Colorado Rockies.

Since the Rockies’ first season, all but five host cities have seen more than one of their team’s players make their roster, the last one being Kansas City in 2012. The average All-Stars per host team? 2.56 players.

OK, appearing in the game is a given, but the All-Star Game is about seeing your favorite player’s name front and center. There are two principal ways to get this extra attention: Being a starter or being selected for the Home Run Derby. Either of these titles is a tremendous honor that raises the profile of your appearance from very good to the best of the best. So how much favor do host cities get in these categories? Not as much as you might think. In the past 27 All-Star Games, 33% (nine out of 27) did not feature a starter and 41% (11 out of 27) did not feature a Home Run Derby competitor from the host ball club.

The Colorado Rockies All-Star History

While I believe that the host club information is the most pertinent for this article, I did the research and just want to point out how the Rockies have done in terms of the All-Star Game throughout their history.

Across 27 games, the Rockies have had 58 All-Stars, averaging 2.15 players per year. They have also had 23 starters and had 13 players compete in the Home Run Derby (I honestly thought this number would be higher). The team has only had eight seasons with one All-Star and only has had six seasons with no starters or Home Run Derby competitors. The Rockies have only had three seasons in their history where they have had a “token” player at the All-Star game (one participant who does not start and is not a part of the Home Run Derby). These “token” years are 1993, 2004, and 2005, three of the worst seasons (performance-wise) in franchise history.

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There are two years that could arguably be the “best” for the Rockies from an All-Star perspective: 2013 and 2017. In 2013, the Rockies sent three players (Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gonzalez, and Troy Tulowitzki) to the All-Star Game. All three players were named starters and Cuddyer also competed in the Home Run Derby. This was by far the most time spent on Colorado Rockies players at an All-Star Game (aside from maybe 1998 when they hosted it, but they only had a single starter that game) and this was in 2013! In the midst of the Rockies floundering about, unsure if they want to rebuild or compete, they produced the most All-Star starters in the club’s history.

The 2017 All-Star Game is a similar story. That year, the Rockies tied (along with 2019) for their most All-Stars ever: four in Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu, and Greg Holland. This year, however, the club only earned two starting spots for Blackmon and Arenado. Blackmon also earned a spot competing in the Home Run Derby. Not too shabby, and in a year that the Colorado Rockies made the playoffs? Could certainly be a competitor for the best All-Star Game in Rockies history.

It was no mistake when I said that the Colorado Rockies have had a starter on the National Legue roster for the past 10 All-Star Games. The Rockies currently have the longest active All-Star starter streak in MLB, four years more than the Los Angeles Angels in second place. For the record, no other NL team has an active All-Star starter streak longer than two years. This streak is the longest for an NL team through the past 27 All-Star Games, and it would be a little strange to see that end when the team finally gets its chance to host.

Anyway, what was this article about? Oh yeah, whether the current Colorado Rockies, the ones who are on track to lose over 100 games, deserve more than a “token” player on the roster. Let’s see how the team stacks up in each position.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 08: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot park on June 08, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

First Base

Current Starter (voting leader): Max Muncy

Current Rockies Starter: C.J. Cron

Can They Earn a Spot: No

You know, C.J. Cron has been good for the Rockies, and that’s including his time on the IL. Unfortunately, Cron does not have the name nor team recognition in order to break even into the Top 10 in voting. Cron is in the top 10 across almost all batting categories including OPS+ and even currently ranks sixth in WAR. I plan on going much more in-depth in the other positions so I will keep it simple. Cron deserves to be in the top 10 but, due to competition within his own franchise (more on the 1B dWAR champion Joshua Fuentes later in the article), he will not be on the roster come July.

Second Base

Current Starter (voting leader): Ozzie Albies

Current Rockies Starter: Ryan McMahon

Can They Earn a Spot: Probably

McMahon was the only Colorado Rockies player to make his way into the top 10 of his position. Given that, McMahon is the most likely member of the Colorado Rockies to be represented on the roster. Even if others somehow sneak their way in, McMahon would be the favorite to keep the starting streak alive. So what puts McMahon above his peers? Well, let’s break it down.

So one thing that fans care about above all else is offensive flashiness. As of right now, Albies looks like a slightly better hitter than McMahon, but barely. McMahon is currently sixth in oWAR with 1.4 and Albies is third with 1.9.

Colorado Rockies

While Albies and McMahon seem close, I also want to look at the five others currently ahead of McMahon. Adam Frazier, Jake Cronenworth, and Jean Segura all currently have a higher vote total and a higher oWAR than McMahon. So the section ends there, right? No. Most voters seem to care about batting numbers, but baseball is a two-way sport. Outside of the DH, you have to be just as good with a glove as you are with the bat. This is where McMahon earns his stripes. Across all second basemen this year, McMahon leads the league in dWAR.

When combining both oWAR and dWAR though, McMahon currently leads the league in WAR as a second baseman. He has not only easily earned his spot on the roster, but also appearances as a starter and as a competitor in the Home Run Derby.

The voting is wrongfully sleeping on him right now. #VoteRyMac

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 24, 2021 in New York City. The Rockies defeated the Mets 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Shortstop

Current Starter (voting leader): Fernando Tatis Jr.

Current Rockies Starter: Trevor Story

Can They Earn a Spot: Maybe

Story had a slow start to his year, and there is no way that I can say that he deserves to be a starter on the All-Star team. However, that doesn’t mean he should not be on the team or at least in the top 10 voting block. While his defense this year has been lacking, his offense has remained top-notch, being top 10 in runs, RBI, and walks; top 5 in hits and triples; and currently is tops among NL shortstops in doubles and stolen bases.

He also has the added benefit of name recognition, with plenty of teams clamoring to get him on their roster and fans can’t seem to stop talking about what could happen if they get him.

I’m not convinced Trevor Story’s performance this season has earned him a spot on the final roster, but if he can get hot in the last days of voting, he might have an outside chance of making the roster. Because of Tatis though, there is almost no way that Story would start the game even if he made the roster.

Third Base

Current Starter (voting leader): Kris Bryant

Current Rockies Starter: Joshua Fuentes/Ryan McMahon

Can They Earn a Spot: Probably not

I have gone over how great McMahon is in the second base part of the article, but I just want to point out that he has spent half of his games playing third base and the other half playing second base. He only qualifies on the All-Star ballot as a second baseman, but he has every reason to be the starter at third base as well. McMahon has the highest overall WAR of all players who have played at least 25% of their games at third base and is first in dWAR, he is in the top 10 or leads across the major batting categories, and just shows his versatility on the field.

Sadly, though, they don’t let you vote for McMahon twice on the ballot and don’t let you vote him for third base at all. So let’s talk about Joshua Fuentes.

So, you know how McMahon was first for third baseman dWAR? Joshua Fuentes is currently in third, 0.3 dWAR ahead of his cousin, Nolan Arenado. Fuentes has been great with his glove to start out the season, making outstanding plays at third base. His bat, though, has not been as good.

Some say that offense is overblown in voting, I believe that is true. Unless Fuentes can further pick up his bat (he is currently doing better than he was to begin the season) or can do something spectacular that shows off his defensive prowess, like say, a triple play, I don’t think we will see him even crack into the top 10 let alone make his way onto the final roster.

May 29, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher

Current Starter (voting leader): Buster Posey

Current Rockies Starters: Elias Diaz and Dom Nunez

Can They Earn a Spot: No

Elias Diaz has been a top 5 defensive catcher, but that’s it. Diaz and Nunez have had fun moments, but they have been awful at the plate. Diaz has the worst OPS+ among NL catchers and Nunez has the eighth-worst OPS+. They will not make a roster.

Maybe someday the Rockies can find the offensive catcher of their dreams, but that day is not today. Let’s move on.

Outfield

Current Starters (voting leaders): Ronald Acuna Jr., Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker

Current Rockies Starters: Charlie Blackmon, Raimel Tapia, Garrett Hampson, and Yonathan Daza

Can They Earn a Spot: Probably not

Charlie Blackmon is slumping again at the worst time for his All-Star hopes, but Raimel Tapia is surging yet again. Unfortunately, the voting process is a bit of a popularity contest, and the young names that aren’t Charlie Blackmon are unknown.

The All-Star ballot doesn’t differentiate between outfield positioning, so let’s look at the outfield as a whole.

When looking at the data, there is one name that sticks out above the rest when looking at the outfield as a single position: Raimel Tapia. Among all outfielders, Tapia is top 5 in the NL in runs, hits, doubles, and batting average, and is seventh in steals. How do the other Rockies do? Garrett Hampson is third in steals, fourth in dWAR, first in Triples and is just outside the top 10 in hits and runs. Charlie Blackmon is in the top 10 for RBI and walks and that is about it. Finally, if Nico Hoerner can be considered, then so should Yonathan Daza, who is fifth among unqualified outfielders in batting average and tied for 10th in dWAR.

Looking at that, you can see why there has been a small yet vocal push to see Raimel Tapia make his way onto the roster, and the numbers suggest he could make it. While his defense has only been at around the middle of the pack, he has been a lightning player who has been very fun to see excel this season.

Based on the data, Tapia might not deserve to be a starter in the All-Star Game, but there is certainly a strong case that he should make the roster.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 16: Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates after reaching second base with a double in the fourth inning of a game at Coors Field on June 16, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Conclusion

Do the Colorado Rockies deserve any players on the All-Star team? I believe the answer is yes. Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia have had breakthrough seasons and deserve to be on the roster. McMahon belongs not only on the roster but deserves to be named a starter and appear in the Home Run Derby. Tapia certainly deserves a spot as one of the many outfielders to get the call and could even have the outside chance of being named a designated hitter for the NL.

A final qualifier I will say is pitching. There is no voting for pitchers this year, so the representatives will be selected by coaches. Being able to pitch successfully at Coors gains a lot of respect within the baseball community and the Rockies have a history of pitchers making the All-Star roster, i.e. Brian Fuentes and Ubaldo Jimenez. With stellar starts to their seasons, this means that Austin Gomber and Mychal Givens may have a shot at making the roster.

So what does this all mean? Well, the Colorado Rockies may not be playing their best baseball this year and lack the name recognition to do well in the voting, but there are certainly positive pieces to the roster. I would go on a limb and say that the host Rockies deserve at least two All-Stars, Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia. Tapia may just ride the bench in a deep outfield class but McMahon has shown time and time again why he deserves to be the NL starter at second base.

#VoteRyMac #VoteTapia

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Note: Data for this article was found using Baseball Reference and Wikipedia. All stats were entering play on Wednesday, June 23.

Home / Colorado Rockies News

Are there any Colorado Rockies players who deserve an All-Star Game nod?

The Host Precedence

The Colorado Rockies All-Star History

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First Base

Current Starter (voting leader): Max Muncy

Current Rockies Starter: C.J. Cron

Can They Earn a Spot: No

Second Base

Current Starter (voting leader): Ozzie Albies

Current Rockies Starter: Ryan McMahon

Can They Earn a Spot: Probably

Colorado Rockies

Shortstop

Current Starter (voting leader): Fernando Tatis Jr.

Current Rockies Starter: Trevor Story

Can They Earn a Spot: Maybe

Third Base

Current Starter (voting leader): Kris Bryant

Current Rockies Starter: Joshua Fuentes/Ryan McMahon

Can They Earn a Spot: Probably not

Catcher

Current Starter (voting leader): Buster Posey

Current Rockies Starters: Elias Diaz and Dom Nunez

Can They Earn a Spot: No

Outfield

Current Starters (voting leaders): Ronald Acuna Jr., Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker

Current Rockies Starters: Charlie Blackmon, Raimel Tapia, Garrett Hampson, and Yonathan Daza

Can They Earn a Spot: Probably not

Conclusion

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