The 4.0 fWAR Outfielder That MLB Fans Are STILL Ignoring in All-Star Voting!
Alright, Mariners fans, we gotta talk! You know the drill, All-Star Game voting is in full swing, and fans get to pick their guys. It’s supposed to be awesome, right? The league dropped its first update Monday, showing off who's leading at each position, and lemme tell you, after one quick look, I'm already seeing some absolute head-scratchers. With just over a week left in Phase 1 to narrow down the field, some of these "fan picks" are making me want to scream!
Are We Seriously Still Sleeping on Pete Crow-Armstrong?
This one is flat-out criminal. Pete Crow-Armstrong, an NL outfielder, is ranked a baffling No. 14 in the voting right now. Fourteenth! Are you kidding me? Yeah, okay, he had a shaky start to the season, but he's been absolutely SCALDING hot in June after making a stance adjustment. This dude has climbed to No. 3 in all of MLB with a ridiculous 4.0 fWAR! We're talking behind only Shohei Ohtani at 5.1 and Bobby Witt Jr. at 4.2. That's elite company, people!
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And what about defense? Crow-Armstrong is without a doubt the best defensive outfielder in the league, a fact that always seems to get overlooked in these fan votes. But even his bat has exploded, with his OPS now up to .846 and he’s on pace to smack 30 home runs! Seriously, how are fans giving more votes to guys like Brandon Marsh, Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker, Mauricio Dubón, Justin Crawford, and Adolis García? None of those guys are producing anywhere close to Crow-Armstrong’s level. It’s baffling! No wonder not a single Cubs player is even in the top five at their position. What is going on out there?
Ben Rice Is Crushing It, So Why Is Vladdy Jr. Still Leading?
Okay, here’s another one that just doesn't make sense. Over in the AL, Yankees breakout star Ben Rice has been an absolute revelation at first base, but guess who’s leading the fan vote? Vladimir Guerrero Jr., by nearly 100,000 votes! Look, Vladdy Jr. is a household name, everyone knows him, but if we’re being honest about this season, Rice has simply been better.
Ben Rice is sitting at a stellar 2.8 fWAR, already blasted 20 home runs, driven in 49 RBIs, and his 174 wRC+ ranks second in ALL of MLB, behind only Yordan Alvarez! That's insane production from a first baseman! Meanwhile, Guerrero's numbers this season haven't been released in full, but the source article cut off his career stats right at "career-", indicating a clear separation in recent performance. It's a prime example of fan popularity overshadowing actual on-field dominance right now. Rice deserves that No. 1 spot, plain and simple.
So there you have it, folks. Fans have the power, but are we using it wisely? These voting results are a stark reminder that sometimes the biggest names get the votes, not always the best performers. With just a little over a week left in Phase 1, we still have a chance to fix some of these wild mistakes. Let's make sure the best players in the league, not just the most popular, get their rightful spots. Get out there and vote, and let's make sure the true stars shine!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.