#ASGWorthy: Russell, Story state cases

In the first National League All-Star Game ballot update released on Wednesday, the closest race is at shortstop. In the lead is Addison Russell, the shortstop for the juggernaut Cubs. Less than 10,000 votes behind him, though, is Trevor Story, the Rockies’ rookie sensation.

But which young gun should get the edge, the 22-year-old Russell or the 23-year-old Story? MLB.com breaks it down, comparing Russell and Story’s seasons so far, with the categories based on baseball’s five tools, to try to determine who is more deserving of a starting spot in the Midsummer Classic.

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Here’s how it shakes out:

Hitting Story is batting .260 in 2016, with 56 hits in 215 at-bats, including 12 doubles, four triples and 38 RBIs. He also, however, leads the Major Leagues with 77 strikeouts.

Even with all of Story’s strikeouts, he’s still batting 19 points higher than Russell, who has a .241 average this season without the benefit of playing his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field. But even so, Story’s offensive production has been better. His 116 wRC+ is 30 points ahead of Russell’s mark.

Edge: Story

Power Story’s power numbers are what really set him apart here. He burst onto the scene with a Major League-record seven home runs in his first six career big league games, and two months into the season his 15 homers are six more than any other NL shortstop.

Russell, who hit 13 home runs a year ago in his rookie season, has power potential but more modest production than Story in terms of hitting the ball out of the yard. Mostly hitting in the lower-third of the Cubs’ order, he has four homers so far this season.

Edge: Story

Speed/baserunning …

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