The last time there was an All-Star game the Colorado Rockies were extremely well represented with FOUR All-Stars: Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado and David Dahl. My oh my how times have changed. Two of them are no longer with the team and the other two are experiencing down years.
Therefore, as things stand right now, it’ll be the first time since 2012 that the Rockies will be represented by just one player in the All-Star game. Germán Márquez deservedly gets the nod as he’s undoubtedly put together an All-Star first half of the season, but did any other Rockies deserve to go with him? Let’s take a look at some near Rockies All-Stars and see who made it over them.
Raimel Tapia – .292/.340/.401, 5 HR 38 RBI
The case to be an All-Star: Tapia’s eighth in NL batting average but has been as high as the top five just recently. He had an 18-game hitting streak, the second longest in the major leagues this season and hit .345 in the month of June. He’s also one of the hardest players in the league to strike out with just a 13.5 K%.
Outfield reserves that made it over him: Mookie Betts (LAD), Bryan Reynolds (PIT), Kyle Schwarber (WSH), Chris Taylor (LAD), Juan Soto (WSH)
Snubbed?: There’s a decent case to be made that Tapia could be more deserving of a spot than Betts or Taylor. Betts, who’s having a down offensive first half of the season, is slashing .247/.358/.452 with ten home runs and 31 RBI. Chris Taylor made it as a utility man slashing .268/.379/.449 with ten home runs and 42 RBI. Both get on-base at excellent rates and hit for more power than Tapia but don’t come close (Betts especially) to matching what Tapia has done in hits this season. Betts' and Coors Field’s reputations most likely came into play.
Poll
Should Raimel Tapia have made the All-Star team?
This poll is closed
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47%
Yes, he should have taken one of the above’s spots
(118 votes) -
52%
No, but he was close
(132 votes)
Ryan McMahon – .252/.314/.479, 16 HR 45 RBI
The case to be an All-Star: Whether you want to consider McMahon a second baseman or a third baseman, he’d lead either position in home runs. He provides top tier defense at either position and has an NL second best four OAA at third base. His average has admittedly dropped in the last month but he did hit near the .270’s up until about mid-May.
Infield reserves that made it over him: Ozzie Albies (ATL), Kris Bryant (CHC), Brandon Crawford (SF), Jake Cronenworth (SD), Eduardo Escobar (ARI), Max Muncy (LAD), Trea Turner (WSH)
Snubbed?: McMahon’s shot at an All-Star appearance took a huge hit in June went he hit just .211/.276/.395. His numbers are still comparable to those selected but when you look at the park adjusted stat OPS+, he’s really only near Escobar: Muncy 170 OPS+, Turner 148 OPS+, Crawford 142 OPS+, Bryant 139 OPS+, Cronenworth 128 OPS+, Albies 121 OPS+, McMahon 107 OPS+, Escobar 107 OPS+. It’s also important to note that Escobar was the only D-Back selected, so he couldn’t have been replaced with anyone other a D-Back.
Poll
Should Ryan McMahon have made the All-Star team?
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Rockies injury update: When Mychal Givens might return | Rox Pile
Mychal Givens continues to rehab his way back to the Rockies bullpen after suffering a lower back strain last month. He’s made three rehab appearances with the Isotopes and manager Bud Black said on Saturday that if all went well he could rejoin the team in Phoenix for Tuesday. This would be a big boost seeing as the Rockies have had to rely on rookie Justin Lawrence to close out two of the last three games.
Rockies numbers tell story of their split personality | The Denver Post ($)
The first half of the 2021 season is complete so Patrick Saunders takes a look at various stats, some really good and others horrible. He points out the big disparages between home/road performances as well down numbers for both Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story.
On the farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 12, El Paso Chihuahuas 7
In a Fourth of July shootout, the Isotopes edged out the Chihuahuas. Mychal Givens was used as an opener and allowed a solo home-run to the first batter he faced. Taylor Motter stayed hot with a perfect 5-for-5 day that included three doubles and three RBIs. It bumps Motter’s OPS to 1.069 through 41 games this season. Alan Trejo went 3-for-5 with a triple, a home-run and five RBIs. He matched Ryan Vilade’s 3-for-5 day that also included a triple.
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 9, Altoona Curve 6
The Yard Goats were able to outlast the Curve in an offensive showdown yesterday. Taylor Snyder continues to impress with a 2-for-3 game with a home-run, a stolen base and two walks. He’s now up to a .918 OPS through 200 plate appearances at Double-A. Elehuris Montero had a perfect 4-for-4 day with a home-run and three RBIs.
High-A: Tri-City Dust Devils 10, Spokane Indians 3
The Spokane Indians were not able to keep up with the Dust Devils who were an overwhelming 7-for-15 with RISP. Offensive standouts include shortstop Jack Blomgren who went 3-for-4 and Hunter Stovall who went 2-for-4 with a double.
Low-A: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6, Fresno Grizzlies 1
The Grizzlies offense could not get going and fell handily to the Quakes. Fresno only managed to record five total hits against Rancho Cucamonga. Zac Veen recorded two of them for a 2-for-4 game with a good ole Independence Day solo home-run to begin the day. Starter Sam Weatherly gave up five runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings.
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