MLB All Star Ballot: Blue Jays vs The Leaders

May 1, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) points to the dugout after Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Bourn (not pictured) is called safe at home during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. The call was overturn on replay challenge. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher:

Salvador Perez vs Russell Martin (3rd)

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Salvador Perez may just be the standard to which all catchers (especially in the American League) are held. He’s establishing himself quite the name. And rightfully so. His numbers are solid. He’s coming off a great season in 2014 too. And, in this year’s All Star voting contest, he may prove to be as big an obstacle as his physical stature would suggest.

Toronto Blue Jays

Russell Martin is having a good year thus far for his native country’s Blue Jays. His numbers are as good, if not better than hoped for. In fact, if there is one area we could point to where Perez has an advantage over Martin, it would be behind the dish. While Martin has been touted as a great pitch framer, etc. He’s only (only?) been worth a single Defensive Run Saved. Perez, on the other hand, has been worth 3. Now, for the other positions, we used UZR/150 as a defensive metric, but that cannot be used when discussing the catcher. So, looking at the defensive value this way makes sense.

Perhaps the only area that Martin can claim victory over Perez is in his OBP. And, let’s be honest, they did not make a commercial about people digging walks, etc. Nope. Walks are just not sexy. Fans want to see the long ball. As of right now, they want to see Salvador Perez starting the 2015 All Star game for the American League.

You can help out Russell Martin by heading over and voting for him up to 35 times. He’s currently in 3rd place by well over a million votes. So, he needs our help. It’s the Canadian thing to do.

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