PHOTO USA Today Sports Images Two third basemen have already been selected to join the American League All-Star team in Texas next week, but there is another choice with a strong argument and nearby housing.
Josh Smith is hitting over .300 the last two months and ranks among the top 30 in baseball in batting average (.292), OPS (.829) and doubles (19), which ranks second in the AL.
He adds the versatility to play multiple positions in the infield, with 22 of his 82 games played at shortstop and the rest at hot corner.
Unfortunately for Smith, 26, the position is well filled in the American League lineup. Rafael Devers (Red Sox) and Isaac Paredes (Rays) are on reserve. behind American League starter Jose Ramirez (Guardians).
Smith helped spare the Rangers from Josh Jung’s absence in the first half, but he might not get the Midsummer Classic home game in Texas he deserves.
Smith has one big factor working in his favor: American League manager Bruce Bochy is also the manager of Rangers and will help guide decisions if replacements for injured players become necessary.
Here are the other uninvited All-Stars worth considering:
Right-handed pitcher Ronel Blanco, Astros
April 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Speaking of rescue missions, where would Houston be right now without Blanco’s surprisingly dominant first half of the season? The 30-year-old broke out with a no-hitter and is 8-3. He’s also in the top eight in the American League in earned run average (2.53) and WHIP (1.01). In 16 starts, nine were quality starts, and the Astros have won 12 games started by Blanco.
BY Willi Castro, Twins
April 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Willi Castro (50) swings his bat as he watches his three-run home run go in against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Target Field. Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports At a position with many stars, Castro fits the bill for a Minnesota club that has just one All-Star before injury replacements are added. Castro has 22 doubles, seven home runs and 54 runs batted in and would be a solid choice for the late-inning backup runner role with some exceptional speed stats: five triples and 10 steals.
Right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles
April 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (30) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports We get it: Baltimore has talent. But Rodriguez shares the American League lead with 11 wins, and the Orioles have only had three players selected from their talent-rich roster.
“I want to say things” Rodriguez said Sunday after another strong start in Baltimore’s 6-3 win over Seattle. “But I can’t.”
Rodriguez isn’t the only member of Baltimore’s renaissance who hasn’t been selected. Anthony Santander has 23 homers, slugger Craig Kimbrel has a 2.10 ERA and over 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and another American League third baseman, Jordan Westburg, has MVP-worthy numbers (39 extra-base hits, 49 RBIs) if he weren’t playing alongside Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
DH Brent Rooker, Athletics
July 2, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (25) circles the bases after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports Speaking of late-game replacement candidates, Rooker could be considered as a backup hitter depending on lineup needs if injuries arise this week. Rooker has 18 homers and 54 RBIs and isn’t afraid to take a pitch. His on-base percentage is .353 and he smokes the ball at the right time, with 10 hits (three homers) in 20 at-bats over his last six games.
1B Christian Walker, Diamondbacks
June 13, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (53) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports With 22 home runs and a recent tear that left Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers with whiplash last week, Walker is one of the more glaring omissions in the National League. He’s no newcomer to the scene, with a combined 69 home runs in the two seasons before 2024, and he brings Gold Glove-like defense to the table.
SS Masyn Winn, Cardinals
June 3, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) is safe with an infield single as Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton (28) catches a pitch during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Shorter Ryan Helsley and his MLB-high 31 saves earned the ticket to Texas, but Winn is having an All-Star season and helping keep the Cardinals in the NL Central.
Winn, a native of Kingwood, Texas, would have enjoyed his ticket home for the break after making an effort last week, hitting .387 in a seven-game stretch in which his on-base percentage was .457.
