Blue Jays: Stroman deserves an All-Star nod

The drive for All-Star votes has already begun, and the push for guys like Justin Smoak and Josh Donaldson is already in full force. One of the most deserving Blue Jay candidates is Marcus Stroman, who has quietly put together a solid first half.

Despite being under .500 after 60 games, the Blue Jays have had plenty of impressive individual performances. Justin Smoak has likely received the most attention, mostly because of how unexpected his All-Star campaign was at the beginning of the season. He’s already exceeded his home run and RBI totals from last year, and looks nothing like the player many fans wanted to see cut this offseason.

Other candidates for consideration include Kevin Pillar, Marco Estrada, and maybe even Kendrys Morales. However, if I had one vote, I’d give it to Marcus Stroman.

The 26 year old was great again on Saturday night against the Mariners, throwing 7 innings and giving up just two runs (one earned) on six hits and no walks, while striking out six. The victory was his 7th of the season and he lowered his ERA to 3.10 through 81.2 innings.

Those 81.2 innings through 13 starts make him the team leader, and the only Blue Jays’ starter to average more than six frames per start (Estrada is at 6.0 on the nose). In a season that the roster has been ravaged by injury, and in particular in the rotation, Stroman’s ability to remain healthy and productive has been crucial.

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None of this should be coming as a surprise, as the former Duke star was a first round pick, and was even the Blue Jays’ opening day starter last season. However, by the time last season had concluded, most had Stroman listed 4th on the Jays’ depth chart, which is where he essentially slotted in the postseason as well. Despite his youth and talent, the Blue Jays also had Estrada, J.A. Happ, and fellow youngster Aaron Sanchez, so Stroman wasn’t supposed to lead the rotation in 2017.

And yet, here we are 62 games into the season, and he leads the staff in wins, innings pitched, ERA, starts (tied with Estrada), fewest walks allowed, and of course, home runs.

https://twitter.com/BCNDailyDingers/status/865386698531852288

He’s a charismatic and excitable player, so he does naturally draw attention, but I don’t feel like performance is getting the proper due. Even while carrying a 4.37 ERA last season, he still threw 204 innings, a career high and a massive contribution to the staff. This year he’s on pace for a similar innings total, but has stepped up his game significantly, carrying the momentum he had in the second half of last season.

When you look at his career stats, Stroman has really only had one had one “bad” half-season, the first half of last year’s campaign. He had a 4.89 ERA in the first half before a 3.68 mark in the second half brought his season total to 4.37. That rough half-season really hurt his stock in the eyes on Jays’ fans, but it should be ancient history by now, especially considering what he’s done on the mound this year.

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And that’s why when you’re casting your All-Star ballots this season, be sure to include the “Stro Show”. As he sits 8th in the American League in ERA, 4th in Wins, 6th in Innings Pitch, and 6th in WAR among pitchers, it’s becoming very difficult to ignore what he’s doing out there. Hopefully when the mid-summer classic rolls around, he’ll be recognized as one of the game’s best.