After being snubbed in 2015, Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts will make the AL All-Star roster in 2016
There has been some talk that the Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts could be a sleeper candidate for the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award this year. His chances may be slim because he is not a typical power hitter like Mike Trout or Josh Donaldson. However, even if Betts does not win MVP, he will be recognized for his undeniable talent when he earns a spot on the American League All-Star team in July.
In 2015, numerous Boston players were snubbed from the All-Star game — including Betts. Only one Red Sox, Brock Holt, made the team because he was selected by manager Ned Yost. Thankfully, 2016 will be different because Betts will be representing the BoSox at this year’s Midsummer Classic.
Because Betts should have made the All-Star team last year, his chances of making the AL All-Star roster in 2016 are greater. Betts is already proving that he will bring that same pop and more to the top of the lineup this year. During spring, Betts batted .353 with a .985 OPS over 22 games played. During that time, he also had six homers and 13 RBI. Betts has started off the regular season a little slow, batting only .214. However, he has hit two home runs and five RBI in those six games he has played.
Fan’s should not worry about Betts’ slow start to the season. This happened last year as well. But, by early June 2015, Betts had an .923 OPS. He hit over .300 in June, August and September, and ended the year with a .291 batting average. And, by the time the 2015 season concluded, Betts led all MLB leadoff men in RBI (69) and extra-base hits (60) when hitting first in the batting order.
In order to make the All-Star team, Betts will need to get his offensive power pumping a little bit earlier than usual. He has all of the tools and has proven to be a great player for the Boston Red Sox. He just needs to more actively show off his talent to the rest of the baseball fans out there who will be voting on the American League All-Star roster. Betts has everything it takes to be an American League All-Star, he just has to convince the voters.
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2015 was Betts’ first full season in the major leagues. He was bound to make some mistakes and slump offensively from time to time. Now in his sophomore year with the Red Sox, Betts has the chance to really make a huge impact. If he continues to make replay-worthing plays in the outfield as well as demonstrate electrifying offense earlier in the season, Betts will be a 2016 American League All-Star in July.