Boston Red Sox players who should be 2019 MLB All-Stars
By Sean Penney
J.D. Martinez
He was expected to be a virtual lock for the starting spot but a recent slump has dragged down the production of J.D. Martinez to mere mortal levels.
Martinez is still hitting a very solid .287/.364/.528 with 17 home runs, 45 RBI, a .369 wOBA and 128 wRC+ this season.
A move to Texas has revitalized the career of Hunter Pence and earned him the starting DH spot. Martinez has a slight edge in homers and on-base percentage but Pence has him beat pretty much everywhere else.
More from Red Sox News
- Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
- Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
The reigning Sliver Slugger at the position will still be heavily considered but it’s hard to imagine the AL taking more than two designated hitters, assuming they even need a backup. The competition for that remaining slot will be steeper than anticipated.
Edwin Encarnacion leads the league in home runs. Nelson Cruz has comparable numbers to Martinez while hitting in the heart of the league’s highest scoring offense. Austin Meadows could factor into the race if he doesn’t make it as an outfielder considering he’s started 26 of his 63 games at DH. Daniel Vogelbach is having a solid season and somebody from Seattle has to make the team.
Does Martinez deserve to be an All-Star? Yes, but the odds of him making the team aren’t as set in stone as we once assumed.