#ASGWorthy: Big Papi setting tone at DH

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 American League designated hitters.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players

The stalwarts

So far, David Ortiz’s farewell tour could not be going much better, and a 10th All-Star selection appears likely. The 40-year-old, set to retire at season’s end, is playing more like a 30-year-old for the Red Sox, batting .301 with a 1.011 OPS, even after an 0-for-4 game on Saturday. He has driven home 25 runs and hit seven homers, giving him 510 in his 20-year career, one behind Mel Ott for 24th all-time.

With five homers this season, Alex Rodriguez now is only eight from becoming the fourth player to reach 700, but that chase was put on hold when the Yankees placed the 40-year-old on the disabled list on Wednesday with a strained right hamstring. The injury came just as A-Rod was heating up, going 7-for-19 with three doubles and three homers over six games to raise his OPS from .479 to .719.

A year after making his 10th All-Star roster and first with the Angels, Albert Pujols has picked up the pace of late and now has six homers, bringing his career total to 566. On the other hand, the 36-year-old’s average has spent barely any time above the .200 mark this season, and his OPS remains below .700.

Prince Fielder enjoyed a resurgence with the Rangers last season, getting to his sixth Midsummer …

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