The MLB 2013 All-Star Game rosters are already set. However, there is space for one more player and fans have the chance to get him in the mid-Summer classic as MLB has ballots open. Who will it be? Freddie Freeman, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, Hunter Pence or Ian Desmond in the National League? What about in the American League? Will fans take Joaquin Benoit, Steve Delabar, David Robertson, Tanner Scheppers or Koji Uehara?
As of 9:15 a.m. Monday, 16 million votes had been counted and the results had Atlanta Braves first baseman, Freeman, leading the N.L. ballot. Over in the A.L., Toronto Blue Jays reliever, Delabar is in the lead.
With his .306 batting average, nine home runs and 56 RBI in 75 of the Braves 88 games this season, Freeman has been able to get people's attention around the world. Not only is Freeman great with the bat, providing pop and consistency in a streaky Braves' lineup, but his glove is one of the best in the league as the 23-year-old has the amazing ability to stretch, saving infielders errors.
For those who don't know Delabar, here are his numbers so far in 2013: 40 IP, 57 K's, 5-1 record, 1.58 ERA. His K/9 Ratio is a whopping 12.8. While Delabar has given the Blue Jays a chance to win whenever he comes out of the bullpen, Freeman has been a focal point in the Braves' lineup as the team is currently in first place and surprising many.
Now, it could be that Freeman is leading because the West Coast was still sleeping when the article was written. Yasiel Puig is the expected winner as many believe fans will want to get the Cuban player in the All-Star game as his style of play has been extremely captivating. Puig is slowly building a fan base, whether at home or on the road. Some don't think there's a sample size big enough to consider Puig an All-Star, however, he's hit eight home runs, 19 RBI with a .409 batting average. Puig is currently in second place.
Other players on the N.L. Ballot:
Ian Desmond SS (Nationals) .281 avg., 41 runs, 15 HR, 49 BRI, 10 SB
Adrian Gonzalez 1B (Dodgers) .296 avg., 34 runs, 13 HR, 53 RBI
Hunter Pence RF (Giants) .266 avg., 47 R, 14 HR, 43 RBI 5 SB
A look at other players' stats on the A.L. Ballot:
Joaquin Benoit (Tigers) 2 Wins, 35.1 IP, 44 Ks, 1.78 ERA, 6 SV
David Robertson (Yankees) 4 Wins, 36.1 IP, 46 K's 2.23 ERA
Tanner Scheppers (Rangers) 5 Wins, 43 IP, 29 K's 1.88 ERA
Koji Uehara (Red Sox) 2 Wins, 37.1 IP, 53 K's, 5 SV