Wrigley Stars Shine: Cubs Leading Multiple All-Star Categories

[Andrew Wright]

Image courtesy of © David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs are making noise beyond the ivy this summer, with a wave of fan support propelling several players toward All-Star Game starting spots. Fueled by breakout seasons and consistent performances, the North Siders are emerging as one of the most represented teams in early voting returns. As ballots pour in, it’s clear that Wrigleyville is rallying—and the rest of baseball is taking notice.

The representation for the Cubs in the first voting update has been excellent, and a testament to exactly what the players have produced on the field this season. They've had multiple players represented in the All-Star Game in three of the last four seasons, and that could very well be the case again this season. Chicago has a player in the top five at every position, as follows.

• Carson Kelly: 2nd among catchers
• Michael Busch: 3rd among first basemen
• Nico Hoerner: 3rd among second basemen
• Dansby Swanson: 5th among shortstops
• Matt Shaw: 4th among third basemen
• Seiya Suzuki: 3rd among designated hitters (second if not for the Rafael Devers trade)
• Pete Crow-Armstrong: 1st among outfielders
• Kyle Tucker: 2nd among outfielders

Of the eight Cubs in the top five at their respective positions, it could be argued that six of the eight are rightfully in the correct range. The two players for whom it feels like a slight overbid are Shaw and Kelly. The other six are rightfully at the top of the voting, and at least three should be no-brainer selections to head to Atlanta in mid-July. 

Crow-Armstrong and Tucker are undoubtedly All-Stars this season. Suzuki should be the backup at DH, but the Rafael Devers trade propelled him way ahead of Suzuki due to his voting numbers carrying over. Despite not having any home runs, Nico Hoerner should arguably be the starting second baseman for the National League, His old-school approach at the plate (.290 avg) mixed with his stellar defense (11 Defensive Runs Saved) make him a worthy candidate.

Kelly is over 130,000 votes ahead of the next-closest catcher, and while that seemed like a reasonable possibility amid his scorching hot start to the season, he is in a major funk at the plate. He has just four hits in his last 44 at-bats and has become a weak spot in the Cubs lineup. The All-Star break may be a good time for him to reset and find his rhythm for the second half of the season.

Busch is, unfortunately, behind the two best first basemen in the NL, who also happen to play in the two biggest markets. No matter what kind of numbers he puts up, it'll always be hard to beat out Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso in a popularity contest. If one of those two decide to sit out, Busch will be the perfect replacement, and it will be a well-deserved nod.

As far as Swanson and Shaw are concerned, neither really deserve to be there and it is probably for the best that neither makes it. Now, both could go on torrid stretches leading up to the final selection process and make their cases, but as of now, they will both likely be watching the game from somewhere other than Atlanta.

With the votes piling in and Wrigley’s faithful rallying behind their stars, the Cubs are poised to make a major statement when the All-Star lineups are revealed.

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