Blue Jays potential All-Star Game candidates

The All-Star Game is roughly three weeks away and it’s a weekend to celebrate for fans who find their club somewhere near the top of the standings.

Star-studded teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves all get the chance to showcase several of their top players and see how they stack up against the rest of the league’s best.

But for other teams, like the rebuilding Toronto Blue Jays, it’s another reminder of how disappointing and dull the season has been at times. After only sending one player to the All-Star Game last year, J.A. Happ, it looks like the Jays could be headed in that direction again this year.

Despite allowing nine earned runs in his past two starts, Marcus Stroman still has to be the frontrunner and is the most likely candidate to head to Cleveland for All-Star Weekend. He leads the club with 1.5 fWAR and his ground ball rate of 56.5 percent ranks the best among qualified American League starting pitchers.

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Ken Giles also had a strong case as he’s been one of the steadiest closers in the American League throughout the season but after recently hitting the 10-day Injured List, those chances have been hindered. Despite only hitting the 10-Day IL, it is expected he will miss an extended period of time. His 1.3 fWAR is tied for the best in the AL.

Among position players, it appears Eric Sogard would be a top candidate as he leads the offence with 1.2 fWAR which also ranks in the top five among AL second baseman and his 121 wRC+ ranks second on the team. His game has been solid on both sides of the ball, producing offensively and defensively which could possibly lead to his first All-Star Game appearance.

While the number show Vladimir Guerrero Jr. isn’t one of the AL’s top third baseman, Blue Jays fans might still get their Vlad Jr. fix during All-Star Weekend. When asked by ESPN’s Marly Rivera, Guerrero Jr. said “of course” he will participate in the Home Run Derby if he is asked by Major League Baseball.

That would definitely add some excitement to a weekend that will lack a Blue Jays presence but it shouldn’t be long before the Jays young stars change that.