Guerrero Jr. and Springer deserve to start this years All-Star game

The Toronto Blue Jays have been well represented at the All-Star game over the past few seasons and MLB.com reporter Will Leitch suggests that should happen again in 2025. Both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer were among those he mentioned as players who could likely end up as starters on this year’s team.

Those are interesting picks for a few reasons as they are just as many reasons to vote for the two Blue Jays as reasons to cast your ballot somewhere else. Leitch says for him it comes down to three things; vote to reward a player for having a great start to the season, vote for a player with historical significance to the game, vote for the player you just want to see play.

Guerrero Jr. and Springer deserve to start this years All-Star game

Leitch believes Guerrero fits those categories. While he admits Guerrero is not setting the world on fire with some of his numbers, he has been a fan favourite and a staple at the All-Star game throughout his career, with four All-Star appearances in just six big league seasons.

Why should Vladdy get votes?

As one of the highest paid players in the game, he is someone that commands the attention of the media at these events and fans want to see the biggest stars play on the biggest stages. Even if it’s just an exhibition stage, there is still some prestige involved, and having a guy like Vladdy there, who is a former Home Run Derby winner and All-Star game MVP, just feels right. He’s got the second best OBP (.380) among qualified first baseman and he’s leading that group with 39 walks. He’s also third in hits with 70 and second in runs scored with 41. Vladdy has 54 % hard-hit rate this season with a strikeout rate (13.8 %) and bat speed (76 miles per hour) all ranking above the 90th percentile.

Why vote for someone else?

His defence and power numbers have been sub-par. He leads AL first baseman with four errors, and his fielding percentage of .991 is last. First base is also widely regarding as a “power position” and there are five players ahead of him in home runs. That includes Tyler Soderstrom who has hit 14 and has been one of the lone bright spots on the Athletics this season. The relevance is that every team gets to send at least one representative and Soderstrom might take that slot for the squad who may or may not officially be playing in Sacramento. You also have Spencer Torkelson leading AL first basemen with 16 home runs, while Paul Goldschmidt is having a nice first year in pinstripes, and those Yankee votes go a long way.

Meantime, Leitch is giving a lot of love to Springer who he claims is having an underrated season. He says, “I'm not sure people realize just how great Springer has been this season for one of the hottest teams in baseball. He did sneak into the 2022 ASG as a Blue Jay. It’s time for him to return.” When Springer was struggling in Spring Training this season, he hinted that he wasn't worried and so far he's backed up those claims. He currently leads the team in home runs with 10 and has been more consistent at the plate than he was the previous year.

Springer has put up some impressive numbers among his outfield peers, with the third-best OBP (.366), third-best slugging percentage (.488), and second-best OPS (.854). Only Aaron Judge has more walks than Springer (35) and 67% of his total hits have been for extra bases. He is on pace to have possibly his best season as a Blue Jay, with his current totals expected to tie, or eclipse his best outputs since joining the Blue Jays in 2021. He's also been drawing a lot of walks with a 14 % walk rate.

The veteran Springer is a four-time All-Star which will give him an advantage in terms of voter consideration. He started in the 2017 All-Star Game and was also named to the All-Star team as a reserve multiple times, including in 2022.

Considering his experience and the committed drive he has brought to the Blue Jays this season, Springer is deserving to be a starter for this year's All-Star game.

Why vote for someone else?

Guys like Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners and Byron Buxton of the Twins have put up better numbers when it comes to FanGraphs WAR at 2.5 and 2.4 respectively while Springer sits at 1.0. They also have better batting averages and just as many, or more home runs than Springer. Mike Trout is also healthy, and any time he is on the field, regardless of how his season is going, he is sure to garner All-Star votes.

While he’s produced just a 0.1 bWAR, Trout has 10 home runs in just 148 plate appearances this season, with a 111 OPS+. Judge will no doubt, rightfully take up one of the starting spots, and he and Springer both play primarily in right field. That leaves just two other outfield starting jobs up for grabs among what feels to be a crowded field of possible starters.

Regardless of how the voting goes, Guerrero Jr. and Springer have done enough in the first half and deserve to be at the mid-summer classic in Atlanta, representing the Toronto Blue Jays.