MLB fans rankled as Toronto Blue Jays again dominate early All-Star Game balloting: "It’s almost like they have a whole country voting for them"
The Toronto Blue Jays are once again dominating the early returns in voting for the MLB All-Star Game. With an entire nation in their corner, Blue Jays players are reaping the rewards as Toronto ballcaps adorn three of the four leading American League infield vote-getters.
The Blue Jays have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the top vote-getter at first base, Bo Bichette at shortstop, and Matt Chapman at third base. Only Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers breaks Toronto's deadlock by leading the voting at second base.
1st round of All Star Voting in, Lets look at the leaders for the American League infield positions
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
2B: Marcus Semien
SS: Bo Bichette
3B: Matt Chapman https://t.co/HWcgnw61Ec
Semien is beating out Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Whit Merrifield, who is currently third in All-Star Game voting at his position.
Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk is having a tremendously disappointing season, batting .256 with three home runs, but is fourth in voting at his position.
Blue Jays outfielders Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer are fifth and seventh, respectively, among AL outfielders.
@StoolBaseball It’s almost like they have a whole country voting for them
@StoolBaseball Make it so Canada can’t vote
@StoolBaseball It’s the same problem every year. All of Canada votes for the blue jays.
Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays should be high in the AL Most Valuable Player voting come season's end, and hence All-Star Game fans aren't too rankled about his lead at shortstop.
However, Guerrero's lead over Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays has many a non-Blue Jays fan incensed. Guerrero is hitting .283 with nine homers and 40 RBI; Diaz is hitting .313 with 12 homers and 34 RBI.
@StoolBaseball So many All Stars, yet they sit in fourth place. Something just isn't right.
@StoolBaseball Some things never change sadly. Toronto players always have the advantage in all star voting, probably the biggest reason all star voting shouldn’t happen
@StoolBaseball I didn't realize baseball was that popular in Canada
Chapman leads Josh Jung of the Rangers, despite Jung leading Chapman in all three Triple Crown categories. Chapman is hitting .269 with nine homers and 34 RBI, Jung is hitting .285 with 13 homers and 39 RBI.
@StoolBaseball This is why I’ve always been against fan voting. I get it, the All-Star game is just supposed to be a fun event, but it takes away from players, on lesser supported teams, that are playing out of their minds and aren’t popular enough to get in
@StoolBaseball Honestly, if Bo gets the votes, good for him, it’s close between him and Franco. Vladdy over Yandy Diaz this season is a CRIME.
@StoolBaseball American fans: "Canada can't support a second team"
Also American fans: "man we need to stop canadians from stuffing the ballots"
It's not to say that the trio of Blue Jays players are not talented. However, vote for is who they want to see in the All-Star Game, not for who the most talented players are in MLB.
@StoolBaseball If this group was on an actual team, they would easily win a World Series
Toronto Blue Jays had six rostered players for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game
Six Blue Jays players made the AL All-Star roster in last season's game. One player that certainly won't be making a return trip is pitcher Alek Manoah, who was sent down to the minor leagues last week.