I voted on All-Stars for the American Association this week. I could only vote for the North Division (Wichita, Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Lincoln and St. Paul) and only for nine starting position players — reserves and pitchers are handled by the manager and this season it’s St. Paul’s George Tsamis. Here’s who I voted for:
Catcher
Wichita’s entry: Bernie Dennis — .254-0 HR-5 RBI
My selection: Kevin Sullvan, St. Paul — .304-7 HR-28 RBI
Controversy: Sioux Falls C Paul Smyth has a .313 average with 15 extra-base hits and 31 RBIs. But picking him would pretty much monopolize selections in the Canaries’ favor. Which is OK if he’s clearly the best, but Sullivan is an equally strong pick
First base
Wichita’s entry: Stephen Pearson — .329-3 HR-34 RBI
My selection: Patrick Reilly, Sioux Falls — .300-8 HR-30 RBI
Controversy: This is one I might like to have back. Pearson has been Wichita’s best hitter for the last month and is one behind Michael Thompson for the team lead in RBIs. Reilly has him in power, but the difference in homers barely makes up for Pearson’s statistical advantages.
Second base
Wichita’s entry: Brenan Herrera — .337-3 HR-26 RBI
My choice: Josh Patton, Sioux Falls — .293-8 HR-29 RBI
Controversy: When I made this choice, Patton’s batting average was steadily falling but was still at .300 and I justified the choice by looking at his superior power numbers. But Herrera may have been the right choice. He’s been the Wingnuts’ most consistent hitter this year, other than Kevin Hooper.
Third base
Wichita’s entry: Michael Thompson — .326-6 HR-35 RBI
My choice: Thompson
Controversy: This is one that I might have swung the other way — Wichita to Sioux Falls — if given the chance. Thompson has been outstanding but Sioux Falls’ Grant Richardson is batting .368 with seven homers and 40 RBI — better numbers across the board than Thompson. But both Wichita and the Canaries have great infields and I chose the right side for Sioux Falls and the Wingnuts’ left side.
Shortstop
Wichita’s entry: Kevin Hooper — .377-0 HR-12 RBI
My choice: Hooper
Controversy: None. Hooper is the best player in the league and I’m not even going to look up the numbers of the division’s other shortstops because he is the obvious choice.
Designated hitter
Wichita’s entry: Jose Amado — .229-0 HR-2 RBI
My choice: Will Smith, Sioux Falls — .356-4 HR-22 RBI
Controversy: Lincoln’s Mario Delgado is batting .347 with six homers and 13 RBI and is likely to represent the Saltdogs on the team. But Smith has carried the Canaries’ offense at times and is too good to pass up.
Outfield
Wichita’s entries: Blake Gailen — .259-2 HR-23 RBI; Chris Colton — .272-5 HR-26 RBI
; Levi Ventura — .280-0 HR-2 RBI.
My choices: Colton, Beau Torbert, Sioux Falls — .292-11 HR-39 RBI; Ben Van Iderstine, Sioux Falls — .319-3 HR-30 RBI
Controversy: Not really. Colton was the only iffy pick, but he’s been hot at the plate lately and is by far the league’s best defensive outfielder. Nobody else’s numbers blew me away so Colton was the pick. Brent Krause has had a nice season for St. Paul and will probably make the team.
The All-Star game is scheduled to be played on July 22 at St. Paul. Here are my picks for the North roster:
C - Sullivan, Smyth
1b — Reilly
2b – Patton
3b — Thompson, Richardson
ss — Hooper
of — Colton, Torbert, Van Iderstine, Krause
dh — Smith
staring pitchers — Alexander Francisco, Sioux City; Ryan Ford, Sioux Falls; Travis Kane, Sioux Falls; Pat Mahomes, Sioux Falls; Charlie Ruud, St. Paul; Justin Young, Wichita
relief pitchers — Brett Reid, Sioux City; Kris Regas, Sioux Falls; Tony Pierce, St. Paul; Byron Embry, Wichita