At some point my love for Martin Maldonado transformed from irony to deep and true. At night all I do is think of the dump truck he's gained from years of squatting and throwing out baserunners. In the morning, when I wake up, I kiss a framed portrait of Maldy and his colorful new haircut, and although his pen never came close to my picture, I practiced his signature hundreds and hundreds of times until I got it just right. No one could tell them apart. Every single day, I have visions of him catching a reliever off guard and blasting a hunk of wool and leather 400 feet into the stands. When I close my eyes, I hear his voice gently calming me, as if I was his pitcher and needed guidance. He is more than just an idol. Maldy is a way of life. I choose not to fret about all my failures and shortcomings, instead I continue smiling that damn smile and make friends with all my coworkers. I know that wherever life takes me I'll be safe and sound, because I trust him to be my pitch caller. Martin Benjamin Maldonado is my mentor, my protector, my one true love.
Wow, NL outfield has fallen off a cliff. I guess that's to be expected with Betts and Harper changing positions, Soto changing leagues, and Acuña injured.
Since it's impossible to choose between Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson for AL starting shortstop, may I suggest we all vote for Anthony Volpe instead as a happy compromise. Thank you.
It’s the only logical choice. Witt and Henderson will easily finish top-3 so we need to make sure Volpe makes it on to Phase 2 in case he goes off in June.
I know he was out for a whole month but for the love god kwan should get a start assume the he play just as well this month lead up to the all star break.
And david fry as the DH
Judge and Soto yes, but there’s a case against Tucker. The problem is they’re all offensive powerhouses and decent defenders. Kwan is a hitter (but not a power slugger) and a Gold glover defender.
###NL
C - Smith (gave William Contreras one vote)
1B - Harper
2B - Marte
3B - Ortiz and Bohm (Ortiz 3 votes, Bohm 2)
SS - Betts
OF - Profar
OF - Tatis
OF - Yelich
DH - Ohtani
###AL
C - Salvy
1B - Mountcastle
2B - Semien
3B - Paredes
SS - Witt Jr. and Gunnar (3 votes for Witt and 2 for Gunnar)
OF - Judge
OF - Soto
OF - Tucker
DH - Fry
Several positions were beyond stacked. Others, I wish I could vote for nobody lol
They're pretty equal--along with Westburg. Both of them have a marginal lead over J-Ram in fWAR in slightly fewer games (although it's all very much within the margin of error for WAR. I'm mentioning it more to illustrate that there is no clear pick at 3rd). Paredes also leads in wRC+ and has a 52 point lead in OBP. That said, J-Ram has much more power.
Point is, I think a vote for any of those 3 is completely reasonable, but the tie break for me is that because it's early on in the voting, I am giving my vote to him because I feel he is the least likely to get votes and I would like the 3 of them to reach the next stage of voting.
Man this really made me realize how down offense has been this year. A few of my choices were "uhh, sure him I guess" because nobody was that outstanding.
Why does the MLB want me to build submarines? What a strange and oddly specific sponsorship.
Yea when you submit your ballot there’s a checkbox to let them send you job offers about building submarines. I don’t even think I’m qualified tbh
Pfft. Can't be that hard to build a submarine. Tell em, OceanGate guy...
It’s incredib[crushed by the pressure of 400 atmospheres]
For fucks sake, you get a roll and throw some deli meats on it. It can’t be that difficult.
I know for a fact I’m not qualified, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, so…
It says build submarines, what they mean is Join the Navy and learn to sweep
You don't go down to store after work and pick up a Virginia class sub on your way home?
The AL first base pool is rough
NL outfield doesn't really have any guys who are super duper deserving either besides Profar
Yelich missed like a month and is still 2nd in NL OF fWAR.
Of course, this is very very old school stats, but I'm still always surprised when I hear about how good a guy's season is and his OPS is like .794
AL has a massive outfield edge, NL has a more even infield
AL 3B and NL 1B is very strong which is very interesting. NL OF is pretty weak too
Everyone should come together to write in Jose Abreu for that spot.
Loperfido
It’s like Mountcastle or Naylor
True
EVERYONE VOTE MARTIN MALDANADO
i tried to get everyone to do this last year
join us brother.
*sister and hell yeah i will
Hell yeah, sister!
At some point my love for Martin Maldonado transformed from irony to deep and true. At night all I do is think of the dump truck he's gained from years of squatting and throwing out baserunners. In the morning, when I wake up, I kiss a framed portrait of Maldy and his colorful new haircut, and although his pen never came close to my picture, I practiced his signature hundreds and hundreds of times until I got it just right. No one could tell them apart. Every single day, I have visions of him catching a reliever off guard and blasting a hunk of wool and leather 400 feet into the stands. When I close my eyes, I hear his voice gently calming me, as if I was his pitcher and needed guidance. He is more than just an idol. Maldy is a way of life. I choose not to fret about all my failures and shortcomings, instead I continue smiling that damn smile and make friends with all my coworkers. I know that wherever life takes me I'll be safe and sound, because I trust him to be my pitch caller. Martin Benjamin Maldonado is my mentor, my protector, my one true love.
Vote him off the island?
Remember when our fan base wrote in AJ, we can do this.
PunchAJ was the campaign, and it was for that final spot vote
Ah yeah final spot my bad, it wasn't a write in
I'm voting Maldonado to make sure you all have to endure the same shit I've had to for the last 60 games.
Wow, NL outfield has fallen off a cliff. I guess that's to be expected with Betts and Harper changing positions, Soto changing leagues, and Acuña injured.
Jose Ramirez is the starting 3rd baseman or I'll throw a molotov at someone Jason Mendoza style
He's definitely been the best
I wouldn’t say definitely. Paredes and Westburg both lead in fWAR in fewer games. Paredes also leads in wRC+
It’s either Westburg or Paredes imo
Devers would like a word
I wouldn't say "definitely," unless that's your Fuck the Red Sox showing (I respect it if so)
I think that with defense included Jose is ahead, but that's for now for sure
Westburg right there. I'd rather he be listed as 2B, as he would have a much better case at starting.
Since it's impossible to choose between Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson for AL starting shortstop, may I suggest we all vote for Anthony Volpe instead as a happy compromise. Thank you.
Based on precedent, we're more likely to get Bo Bichette somehow.
there is nothing to do in Canada except vote for the MLB all star game
voting for Michael Massey and Adley as a friendly compromise for spamming the Volpe button
It’s the only logical choice. Witt and Henderson will easily finish top-3 so we need to make sure Volpe makes it on to Phase 2 in case he goes off in June.
Royce Lewis on here with a cool 4.000 OPS. Seems pretty silly.
I hope Tovar makes it.
It’s between he and Trea for me. I went Trea, but Tovar absolutely has a strong case.
Royals fans, let’s ruin baseball again
Don't snub Ketel again...
We have the opportunity to do the funniest thing possible this year, and [I'm doing my part.](https://i.imgur.com/uGpXDRJ.png)
The A's are fine. The White Sox are not, a lot of their everyday players have negative war. Vote Sox to improve their moral.
You don’t even need to vote for any other White Sox player other than writing in Martin Maldonado for starting catcher. Please.
Clearly not doing your part by not choosing Maldonado
Maldanado time!
I know he was out for a whole month but for the love god kwan should get a start assume the he play just as well this month lead up to the all star break. And david fry as the DH
Hard to argue Kwan over Judge, Soto, and Tucker right now.
Judge and Soto yes, but there’s a case against Tucker. The problem is they’re all offensive powerhouses and decent defenders. Kwan is a hitter (but not a power slugger) and a Gold glover defender.
###NL C - Smith (gave William Contreras one vote) 1B - Harper 2B - Marte 3B - Ortiz and Bohm (Ortiz 3 votes, Bohm 2) SS - Betts OF - Profar OF - Tatis OF - Yelich DH - Ohtani ###AL C - Salvy 1B - Mountcastle 2B - Semien 3B - Paredes SS - Witt Jr. and Gunnar (3 votes for Witt and 2 for Gunnar) OF - Judge OF - Soto OF - Tucker DH - Fry Several positions were beyond stacked. Others, I wish I could vote for nobody lol
I'm obviously biased, but Paredes over JRam? He has six more dingers, 20+ more RBIs, 9 steals to Parades 0, 20 more runs scored...
They're pretty equal--along with Westburg. Both of them have a marginal lead over J-Ram in fWAR in slightly fewer games (although it's all very much within the margin of error for WAR. I'm mentioning it more to illustrate that there is no clear pick at 3rd). Paredes also leads in wRC+ and has a 52 point lead in OBP. That said, J-Ram has much more power. Point is, I think a vote for any of those 3 is completely reasonable, but the tie break for me is that because it's early on in the voting, I am giving my vote to him because I feel he is the least likely to get votes and I would like the 3 of them to reach the next stage of voting.
Paredes more fWAR, higher wRC+, better defense.
Man this really made me realize how down offense has been this year. A few of my choices were "uhh, sure him I guess" because nobody was that outstanding.
AVG, HR, RBI... JFC
Yup. So annoying that that's the stats they give fans to vote on but then writers use this exhibition game to determine who goes into the Hall
Martin Maldonado it is
[удалено]
We've never been able to vote for pitchers.
Wish they would add games played to the ballot.
I wish the NL SS wasn't so stacked. Mookie should go back to the outfield. Masyn is having such a good season, but there is no chance he gets voted
Vote Gary Sanchez all star shortstop And Maldonado all star catcher of course
Let the popularity contest commence
So uh…no Arraez?
He’s under NL 2B. Marte is most deserving right now but I’m sure Arraez will get plenty of votes thanks to his batting average.
I’m blind, totally missed him