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#ASGWorthy: NL has loaded group of 3Bs
- Updated: May 2, 2016
The 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Ballot has been released, and while the season is still young, it’s never too early to start evaluating candidates. Many have already begun to stand out, while others are sure to hit their stride in the coming months leading up to the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard on July 12 at San Diego’s Petco Park.
As fans cast their votes for who they deem worthy of 2016 All-Star status, MLB.com is going to look position by position through each league, continuing today with the National League third basemen.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players
The stalwarts
The Rockies’ Nolan Arenado made his first All-Star team last season, when he captured his third straight NL Gold Glove Award, tied for the league in homers (42) and led the Majors in RBIs (130). The 25-year-old has picked up where he left off, with an MLB-best 11 home runs, to go along with a 1.066 OPS and 25 RBIs.
The Cardinals’ Matt Carpenter is batting a mere .242, which would be by far a career low, but the two-time All-Star is reaching base at roughly his career rate (.375 OBP). He also leads the team and is second among NL third basemen with 17 RBIs.
Considering his age (33) and physical issues, it will be awfully tough for the Mets’ David Wright to rediscover the form that allowed him to hit .302/.384/.505 and make seven All-Star teams from 2005-13. Still, Wright can contribute when his health allows it. In 19 games this season, he owns a .367 on-base percentage and a .421 slugging percentage.
The fast starters
A consistently solid performer over 11 seasons, the Marlins’ Martin Prado has only one All-Star selection to his credit, for the Braves in 2010. That could change this year. Prado is a scalding 17-for-32 (.531) during a seven-game hit streak, raising his OPS to .934 through 20 games.
The Pirates’ official All-Star candidate at third base is Jung Ho Kang, who has yet to play this season as he recovers from last year’s knee injury. In his place, veteran David …
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