2016 MLB All-Star picks loaded with Red Sox
By Sean Penney
Outfielders
Left Field – Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
The perennial MVP contender is an obvious choice to lead our crop of outfielders. Trout hasn’t actually played in left field since 2013, but outfield alignment doesn’t really matter when selecting All-Star rosters. We want the three best outfielders, even if all of them happen to be capable of patrolling center field.
Center Field – Jackie Bradley, Boston Red Sox
A scorching month of August last season foreshadowed this breakout campaign. Bradley was already one of the best defensive outfielders you’ll ever see, but now he is finally backing that up with a big bat. Bradley is second in the league with a .981 OPS, seventh with 31 extra-base hits, ninth with a .316 batting average and tenth with a 3.0 WAR. Oh, he also had a 29-game hit streak that is the longest by any player this season, so that gave him a tie-breaker edge over some other deserving outfield candidates.
Right Field – Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
The blossoming young superstar got off to a slow start this season, but has come storming back over the last few weeks to put him near the top of most offensive categories among outfielders. His resurgence was highlighted by a three-home run game on May 31, which he followed up with another multi-homer game the next day to give him 5 home runs in 7 plate appearances.
Even more impressive than his home run binge is that he is 5th in the league with 47 RBI from the lead-off spot. It’s a testament to not only how deep the Red Sox lineup is, but Betts’ ability to hit with runners in scoring position (.365 average with RISP, 5th in the league among hitters with at least 50 plate appearances).
Next: Designated Hitter