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Merriam-Webster defines all-star as “composed wholly or chiefly of stars or of outstanding performers or participants.”  On July 16, the stars and outstanding performers from the 30 Major League Baseball teams will assemble at Citi Field in New York to showcase their talents in a battle for World Series home-field advantage.  

Some believe this game should be simply for entertainment purposes: a showcase of the best talent in the league in a game that is meant to please the fans. Others are in favor of the added incentive of World Series home-field advantage as a way to keep the game competitive.  Regardless of the purpose for the game, Yasiel Puig deserves to be on the National League roster.

There are a number of very valid arguments against this idea:

“He has only played in 20 games”…”He has only had 80 at-bats”…”Who knows if this hot streak will last?”…”There are players who have played all season long who he would be playing over.”

None of these statements are wrong or out of line. The small sample size is certainly the main argument against Puig‘s participation in the Midsummer Classic. Even National League manager Bruce Bochy has been quoted as saying it would be a long shot.  But when assembling a roster of the best players in the game, the hype surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ young phenom can hardly be ignored.  

Through 20 games, Puig has a white-hot .442 batting average and 1.229 OBP to go along with seven home runs and 14 RBI. His stellar start at the plate is not the only area of his game that is drawing attention. Puig also has shown that he has a cannon for an arm with three outfield assists and several strong throws that make runners think twice before trying to take an extra base. In a recent interview with SiriusXM, Bochy was asked about Puig being on the All-Star roster. He said, “The numbers would have to be so stupid that you say, ‘Ok I’ll consider it.” I’m no expert, but Puig‘s numbers are quickly approaching “stupid”.  

The buzz surrounding Puig is reminiscent to that of the Washington Nationals‘ phenom, Bryce Harper, last year. Harper made the 2012 National League All-Star roster, albeit as an injury replacement, batting .282 with eight home runs and 25 RBI after 63 games. If he plays every game from now until the All-Star Game, Puig will have played in 39 games and could have better numbers than Harper did at this time last year.  

If you argue that the All-Star Game is all about entertainment, what has been more entertaining over the last few weeks than Puig-mania? If you think it should be about competition and putting the team in the best position to win, it would be hard to deny that Puig can do just that. I’m not saying he should start, but shouldn’t it at least be a consideration to have him on the team?

Perhaps it is too soon. Maybe it is a long shot and if he keeps this up he will certainly have plenty of other All-Star opportunities. It’s just not as far-fetched as many may think to say Yasiel Puig deserves a spot on the National League roster. And would a spot in the Home Run Derby be asking too much?

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Over the weekend, MLB.com released the most recent tallies for MLB All-Star fan voting. Many positions look to be locked up, but a number of players are still making their cases for why they should get the nod.

In the National League—the results for which were released on Sunday—St. Louis’ Matt Carpenter overtook Chase Utley for third place among second basemen. Fellow Cardinal David Freese is also surging late in the game.  

Carpenter is having a breakout season, but isn’t a sure thing to make the All-Star team. San Francisco’s fanbase practically gives all the Giants a shot. Brandon Phillips being Mr. Personality is also a fan favorite. A career .304 hitter, Carpenter is currently batting .332 and has only been heating up more in June: He boasts a .439/.500/.610 line this month.

Carpenter is currently on an 18-game hitting streak and is among great company in the MLB, as shown by MLB Stat of the Day’s tweet yesterday:

Unlike Carpenter, 2011 World Series MVP David Freese did not start 2013 out too well, but is having a comparable June to Carpenter. April was painfully bad, as Freese batted .163 for the month, but has now brought is average up to .282 after batting .299 in May and hitting for a .405/.463/..541 line thus far in June. Think Carpenter’s hitting streak is impressive? Freese does him one better:

In the American League—the results for which were released on Saturday—Baltimore’s JJ Hardy took the lead at shortstop as a result of his torrid June, while Oakland’s Josh Donaldson entered the ranks at third base. 

Hardy received 717,103 votes by the first release of ballot voting, but he’s now at 1,231,843 votes due to improvement in play. Orioles 101 highlighted the shift:

It’s true. Hardy’s jump is especially of note seeing as he finished April with a .202/.243/.327 line. He is batting .485 with three homers and a slugging percentage that would be a great OPS (.879) in the month of June. Overall he’s now batting a respectable .271 with 13 homers.

Donaldson should make the All-Star team but has been overshadowed by the star power of Miggy and Manny Machado. This season he sports an impressive .324/.393/.521 line with a .914 OPS, and is batting .333 in June. After his first career grand slam on June 7, ESPN Stats & Information posted an article about Donaldson’s love for pitches in the middle of the strike zone, which included this graphic:

Out of the AL third basemen, Donaldson is second in batting average, OBP, and OPS (to Miggy, naturally), but still trails Cabrera, Machado, Adrian Beltre and Evan Longoria in fan voting. 

All stats are from mlb.com and espn.com.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

There are a lot of players worthy of being selected to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, but not all of them will make it.

Thirty-three players make the AL All-Star team, and 33 players make the NL All-Star team. That means that a mere 66 players make the initial team, which is extremely tiny when you consider that 750 players are currently on active MLB rosters.

Because less than 9 percent of the league’s players end up on one of the initial teams, some deserving players miss the team. However, because players and managers vote for most of the All-Stars, some players who don’t get any attention from the national media are recognized.

This year, there are more players who have done well but have flown under the radar. Here are five of those players.

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Major League Baseball All-Star voting always makes for good debate.

That’s because everybody’s definition of an All-Star is a little different.

Some like to see the players who’ve done best in the current season, regardless of their career history. Others prefer to pick the top players in the sport, even if their production has slipped a bit this year.

And, of course, someone always gets snubbed.

Monday brought the first update of All-Star voting, starting with the American League, and Tuesday gave us the National League leaders.

Here, then, is a breakdown of the top vote-getters at each position, along with a rundown of a few others who could fight their way into the starting spot when it comes time to play the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York on July 16.

There’s still a month left to get votes in, so if you’re not happy with any of the following, well, do something about it.

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The National League jumped out to a giant lead early, and never looked back in their convincing 8-0 win over the American League at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City for their third straight All-Star Game win.

Melky Cabrera (Giants) won named the game’s MVP after hitting a two-run home run en route to a 2-for-3 night with two runs.

The 83rd annual Midsummer Classic started off with a bang, as the NL was able to tag Justin Verlander (Tigers) for five runs in the first inning.

A Ryan Braun (Brewers) double scored Cabrera, but the big blow came four batters later when Pablo Sandoval (Giants) smacked a bases-loaded triple to the corner of right field to give the National League a 4-0 lead before the American League had a chance to bat.

From there, it was smooth sailing for the NL.

The pitching staff was brilliant, led by starter Matt Cain (Giants) who threw two innings of one-hit baseball. After Cain, it was Gio Gonzalez (Nationals), Stephen Strasburg (Nationals), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), R.A. Dickey (Mets), Cole Hamels (Phillies), Craig Kimbrel (Braves), Aroldis Chapman (Reds), Wade Miley (Diamondbacks), Joel Hanrahan (Pirates) and Jonathan Papelbon (Phillies) who combined for the six-hit shutout against an incredibly talented AL lineup.

They are the true MVPs of the ballgame, the first All-Star shutout since the NL blanked the AL 6-0 back in 1996. The eight-run margin marks the biggest win the NL has ever had over the AL. 

Twitter Reaction

Verlander is one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball right now, but he got absolutely shelled by the NL lineup. How rare is it for Verlander to give up five runs in the first inning? CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler has the answer:

Before 1st inning tonight, last time Verlander allowed 5 in any inning was 4/11/2010 vs. Cle (also 5 in 1st)

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) July 10, 2012

Not only did Sandoval hit a triple, but so did Braun and Rafael Furcal (Cardinals). That’s an All-Star Game record according to Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi:

#NL has hit three triples tonight – an all-time #ASG record. @MLBONFOX

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 10, 2012

There is no question the most valuable team on Tuesday night was the San Francisco Giants. As ESPN’s Buster Olney points out, they are now owed an apology by critics who didn’t approve of three of them being in the starting lineup:

SF fans took a beating for their ballot-box stuffing…Apparently, they will be owed the thanks of NL team at the start of the World Series.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 10, 2012

Billy Butler (Royals) stepped to the dish in the seventh inning for his first official All-Star plate appearance to resounding cheers from the home crowd.

He was facing Cole Hamels, who is still taking heat for plunking Bryce Harper (Nationals) for no reason in particular earlier in the season. Former MLB legend Dale Murphy made this priceless joke making light of the matchup:

Wait a sec… that was Billy Butler’s 1st All-Star game at-bat right? Why didn’t Cole Hamels hit him?

— Dale Murphy (@DaleMurphy3) July 10, 2012

Say what you want about whether the All-Star Game winner should be awarded home-field advantage in the World Series, but it’s clearly important, as CNBC’s Darren Rovell tells us: 

Since the All-Star Game determined World Series home field advantage, the home team has gone on to win the title 6 of 9 times.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) July 10, 2012

Analysis

This was a rather boring All-Star Game to say the least.

It was exciting to see all of the runs scored off Verlander, but it made for a rather mundane rest of the game.

The AL was only able to muster six hits, and only posed a real threat to score in the fifth inning.

The only memorable moment from the game came when Chipper Jones (Braves) was able to single in his lone plate appearance. Considering this will be his final appearance at the All-Star Game, it was cool to see him leave with a hit.

You could argue Tony La Russa using three pitchers in the ninth was a fitting end to his career, but most of America had already changed the channel by that point.

In the end, a ton of credit goes to the Giants. They had a pitcher go two scoreless innings, and three hitters who combined for five RBI, including the MVP of the game.

Whoever makes it to the Fall Classic needs to thank San Francisco for the Giants’ respective efforts tonight. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

In the 2012 Home Run Derby, there was a big-time reaction for Home Run Derby captain Robinson Cano.  That reaction was filled with an array of boos from the Kansas City crowd.

Why the hostility for the second baseman? 

Well, he said he would pick a a member of the Kansas City Royals a couple of weeks prior to the event.  That guy would be All-Star Billy Butler.  The Royals DH was not chosen by Cano. 

This has happened before.  Last year, captain Prince Fielder received boos after failing to pick local hometown boy Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Now, commissioner Bud Selig said that the Baseball Writers Association of America will discuss a possible rule change to the anticipated event.  This rule will be for the captain to choose a player from where the Home Run Derby is being played.  In other words, a hometown boy.

Fans booing should not have such an impact on a decision like this.  Should Cano have not commented at all that he would choose a Royal?  Yes, but in the end, isn’t it his decision? 

Could the MLB have stepped in and held Cano to a higher standard to make sure he did pick Butler?  Yes, there is an argument for that as well. 

Players like Cano shouldn’t be booed like he was on Monday night, but he asked for it.  Does that mean the MLB should jump in and demand the captain to choose a local?  No, that isn’t very fair.

Fans buy the tickets, and they have the right to cheer and boo as they please.  Perhaps he would have gotten booed anyways for being a Yankee.  It comes with the territory, usually. 

So, with the festivities heading to Citi Field next year, would it be wrong for the Home Run Derby captain to not choose David Wright or a member of the New York Mets?  No, it should be their decision. 

These players are volunteering for the event.  They shouldn’t have to deal with many rules.  MLB guys are used to getting cheered and booed.  Quite frankly, they are athletes and fans show them positive and negative emotions.

While some don’t necessarily deserve the reaction they receive, that shouldn’t have any power on the future of the Home Run Derby.

Having a hometown player could be good for the sport and event, but is it coming along the wrong way?  This would be a decision of haste and reaction of Cano’s night. 

This story may not have been such a big deal if Cano hadn’t said anything in the first place.  Perhaps the clubhouses should tell their players to not make such promises if they can’t handle the negative reactions if they end up backing out of the deal. 

There will always be the risk of having a hometown player that won’t be considered worthy of the nod by many baseball experts and fans. 

The MLB shouldn’t make a decision like this based on one night. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

If you watched the Home Run Derby last night, you might have sworn you were actually watching a Kansas City Chiefs game with the volume of loud boos directed at American League captain Robinson Cano when he took his turn in the once-prestigious event.

On the outside, there could have been a simple explanation of these boos. Cano, the defending Home Run Derby champion, plays for the New York Yankees. The Yankees just happen to be not only one of the most covered teams in baseball, but one of the most hated teams in baseball as well.

Of course, there was more than just the fact that Cano wears a NY on his cap.

For the second year, Major League Baseball selected two players (one from each league) to pick a team to compete in the Home Run Derby.

In the first year this was done, Prince Fielder (who was then with the Milwaukee Brewers) declined to pick Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks despite the fact that the game was being held in Phoenix.

Fielder responded by hitting the game-winning home run in the All-Star Game and winning Most Valuable Player honors. He laughed and we moved on.

Fast-forward to last night, and Cano gets booed for declining to select Billy Butler, of the hometown Kansas City Royals. As the fans cheered with every out, Cano looked more and more nervous. His father, who was throwing to his son for the second straight year, looked like he was going to cry.

After the smoke cleared, Robinson Cano was shutout in the 2012 Home Run Derby, and now baseball isn’t happy about it.

Treating one of the premier players in the “Royal Family of Baseball” (New York Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies and anybody else ESPN gives way too much time to during Sportscenter) was too much for commissioner Bud Selig and executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre to bear.

Selig’s new idea to save the Home Run Derby (again) is to force one captain to pick a hometown slugger to be represented by each team.

Personally, I didn’t think Selig could top his home-field advantage idea in the All-Star Game. However, he’s really outdone himself here.

Why doesn’t baseball just select eight to 10 sluggers to bash home runs like they used to? Yes, hitters now fear the Home Run Derby like ESPN fears the Yankees and Red Sox at the bottom of the AL East standings, but come on.

The Home Run Derby is supposed to be fun. That’s why Royals fans booed Cano in the first place. They were having fun at Cano’s expense, and if he couldn’t handle some boos, why is he playing for the Yankees in the first place?

Adding a hometown slugger would add that awkward moment where somebody who really doesn’t belong there is added by force.

Could you imagine Joe Mauer in the Home Run Derby when the game is hosted by Target Field in 2014? (Yes, it happened during his bizarre 2009 campaign, but that doesn’t happen that often.) It just wouldn’t be fun to watch as he tries to drive the ball into the opposite gap for a double.

Also, the guy that Cano chose over Butler (Mark Trumbo) unleashed some “Trumbombs” that made even the biggest Royals fan scream in sheer amazement.

This potential move is an overreaction by Bud Selig and should not happen. One has to wonder why the same deal wasn’t made when Fielder (the 2012 Home Run Derby champion) was booed out of the building last year, but I guess the “Royal Family of Baseball” has that much pull over decisions.

If you’re going to let players pick the teams, let them pick the teams. Otherwise, MLB should just force guys to participate and add their own “Hometown Slugger.”

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This past offseason for Major League Baseball provided a lot of excitement and much anticipation. Big name players such as Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes and Prince Fielder left their respected ball clubs for greener pastures—or greener contracts. Small-market clubs grew up in Miami and Washington following multiple signings, a high profile coaching hire and trades.

Halfway through this season, and with the deadline still a couple of weeks away, we’re yet to see a large amount of in-season trades. But, the action and storylines have not disappointed.

With almost three months of the regular season to go, there are still some big questions that remain to be answered.

Will the surprising teams continue their success?

Will this year’s disappointments right the ship in time for October?

And, of course, what team and which players will be taking home some hardware?

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Since the first MLB All-Star Game was held in 1933, there have been plenty of memorable moments for fans to recall. The Cincinnati Reds have been no slouch in creating a few of their own unique and memorable All-Star moments.

Cincinnati has played host to the MLB All-Star Game on four occasions—1938 and 1953 at Crosley Field, and 1970 and 1988 at Riverfront Stadium. Owner Bob Castellini has hinted in recent months that Cincy could be in line for hosting another ASG within the next few years.

The most memorable of the four All-Star Games that the city of Cincinnati has hosted, has to fall to the 1970 occurrence. But, more on that later.

Here are Cincinnati’s seven most memorable All-Star Game moments, in no particular order.

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The 2012 MLB All-Star Game received another dose of youth on Saturday afternoon when Bryce Harper was tapped to replace Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton was removed following a Friday injury and is slated for knee surgery on Sunday, July 8.

Harper joins a colorful list of rookie All-Stars. While he will be the youngest position player of all time, he is not the youngest All-Star.

But he’s close.

Following is a list of 10 of the youngest players to make the MLB All-Star roster.

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