MLB All Star Ballot: Blue Jays vs The Leaders

Sep 20, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives through the dugout after scoring during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielders:

Lorenzo Cain vs Jose Bautista (8th)

[table id=94 /]

Here we go getting surprised again. Jose Bautista is one of the premier hitters in baseball. Yet, Lorenzo Cain is putting up numbers on pace with Joey Bats, or better. At first, I thought this would be another example of ‘Royals Hangover’ from the World Series. But, looking at his numbers, Cain deserves consideration for the All Star game.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King
• Toronto Blue Jays: Has the Shift Killed Kevin Gausman’s 2022 Cy Young Hopes?
• Blue Jays: What Yusei Kikuchi’s latest stumble should mean

His average is much better than that of Bautista. Granted, Bautista won’t be hitting .215 the whole season. But, he is right now. If we dig a little deeper, we see that there is an area that Bautista has bested Cain. His BB% is 18.8% to Cain’s 5.2%. Ha! More than triple. Except, as previously stated, people don’t pay money to watch the Base on Balls Derby. When it comes to All Star voting, walks are not as good as hits.

So, the perennial HR threat, Jose Bautista is looking like he’s met a match here. But, when you look even further, Cain’s case gets stronger. Remember that players have to play both sides of the ball. Bautista has been good in his time in the outfield. But, he’s been DHing for quite a while with that injured shoulder. When he has played, he’s put up a respectable UZR/150. At least, it looks like a good number until you compare it to that of Lorenzo Cain. His 24.5 mark is eye popping. Blue Jays fans wish they saw that from Bautista.

Lorenzo Cain deserves the nearly 1.4M votes he’s garnered thus far. But, we’re talking about Jose Bautista here. He’s managed to put up these numbers while, more or less, being half a player. He’s the face of the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s been the top vote getter in previous years. He’s a perennial All Star. It just so happens that if he’s going to be voted in this year, he’s going to need a lot of help. Returning healthy would go a long way, too. But, let’s do our part. Head on over and start voting for Jose Bautista up to 35 times.

Next: Let's Get Voting