QUALK TALK BLOG: All-Star (& Clemson Alumni) Thoughts
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net July 7, 2014

By William Qualkinbush.

By William Qualkinbush.

By William Qualkinbush.

Yes, I realize this is off the beaten path. Yes, I understand no former Clemson players are playing in the All-Star Game. Yes, I get that football is coming and all that jazz. But the summer is the time to experiment, right? So I’m going rogue today. Here are some of my thoughts on the MLB All-Star selections released yesterday, with some nuggets included about some of Clemson’s MLB alumni along the way. Enjoy…
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  • The entire idea of this game has become polluted over time, to the point that we really don’t know what it is anymore. Selections are justified for polar opposite reasons. We’re told that some guys are playing because it’s just an exhibition, then managers pick specific players for roster flexibility over other players who are more deserving of being picked. It’s the inherent frustration of the game itself: Does it matter in the context of the season, or is it an exhibition?
  • Sometimes I get after the fans for either being ignorant or blinded by fan loyalty, but this year wasn’t too bad. Aramis Ramirez shouldn’t be starting at third base by any measure after he was often injured during the first half of the season. But his selection isn’t as egregious as Derek Jeter’s. The fans voted him in for a swan song—which would have been fine in the olden days—but the game actually matters now. Jeter’s victory lap could cost an American League team a chance for home field advantage in the World Series, which is an absolute shame.
  • In terms of Wins Above Replacement, Jeter is actually behind former Clemson shortstop Brad Miller, who has been mired in a season-long slump that has his current batting average sitting at .209—worst among qualifying AL shortstops. However, Miller has maintained his spot in the lineup because of his glove work, a notion that may seem foreign to Tiger fans. Only two AL shortstops have saved more runs at shortstop than Miller, who must cut down on his strikeouts. So far, the second-year player has a league-worst (among shortstops) 24.5 percent strikeout rate.
  • Miller’s college and professional teammate, reliever Dominic Leone, has had a dynamite inaugural season with the Mariners. The rookie righty has made 32 appearances out of the bullpen with a 1.95 ERA. He strikes out just more than one batter per inning and has five holds for Seattle. Methinks he’s not going anywhere soon.
  • Ian Kinsler is the best second baseman in baseball, and he’s not on the team. The Detroit Tiger is the premier two-way player at the position by most accounts, but he was shafted in favor of Robinson Cano (starter) and Jose Altuve (Houston’s only pick). This is what happens when we hand out victory laps.
  • Even if Kinsler would have been included, the AL lineup is just not very good. Catcher isn’t a strong suit since Matt Wieters is injured. Shortstop is horrible, a fact highlighted by the fact that more people are upset about Jeter’s inclusion than anyone being held out of the game. The starter at third base is Oakland’s Josh Donaldson, who has been mired in a six-week slump that has his batting average below .250. The AL may be deeper on offense, but the front-line talent simply isn’t there at several spots.
  • One of the shockers of the first half has been the surprising contender status the Miami Marlins have earned. Only one member of the team, sluggling outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, was named an All-Star. The squad has quietly pieced together a competent lineup made up of marginal players and budding stars. Former Clemson third baseman Jeff Baker is one of the key veterans on the roster. He has started games at first and second base this season and is frequently utilized in a pinch hit role. He is considered below league average on offense and defense, but at least he’s producing in key spots for the Marlins.
  • Baker has been better as a big leaguer this season than Kyle Parker, the former quarterback who is now a first baseman for the Rockies. He made his MLB debut against Clayton Kershaw on the night he threw a no-hitter. This unfortunate circumstance skews his numbers, but he was hitless in six at-bats with four strikeouts. He’ll be back in the big leagues this season, hopefully getting hits this time.
  • Much like the Marlins, the Astros only had one selection as a team in full-fledged rebuilding mode. The team has employed some new-age tactics in constructing its franchise. Clemson alum and lefty specialist pitcher Tony Sipp has found himself in the outfield twice this season as a part of a managerial scheme designed to match up with individual hitters. Sipp is tied for the team lead in innings pitched by relievers with 29 and has a strikeout rate similar to Leone’s. He may be in demand toward the trade deadline if a contender needs a southpaw out of the bullpen.
  • The San Diego Padres also only had one selection, but that selection wasn’t closer Huston Street. The former Texas Longhorn just blew his first save of the season on Saturday and sports a miniscule ERA and WHIP. But nondescript starter Tyson Ross got the nod instead. Weird move.
  • The Braves’ outfield got hosed. Justin Upton doesn’t have super numbers, but he has been better than Charlie Blackmon or Josh Harrison—both selections. Jason Heyward’s batting average is sorry, but he gets on base and plays defense better than almost everyone by the metrics. Upton is subject to the Final Vote, while Heyward won’t be included. That seems like a bad oversight to me.
  • This is the best All-Star game in sports. Even without home field advantage, it matters. That’s why the ambiguity about what it is has become such a frustration for so many people. We’ll watch, but we’ll wonder what we’re watching all the more—and we’ll love every second.

God Bless!

WQ