Similar to what’s transpired over recent seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t have a strong presence when fan voting for the MLB All-Star Game was completed. The overhauled process this year produced a handful of Dodgers ranked in the top nine at their positions but they faded with each passing update.
Only Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson advanced from the “Primary” round of voting to the “Starters Election.” When All-Star Game starters were announced, only Bellinger represented the Dodgers.
Though, once the leading vote-getter amongst all players, Bellinger lost that honor to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich also overtook Bellinger for most votes in the National League.
Ahead of All-Star Game pitchers and reserves getting announced, manager Dave Roberts said he believed the Dodgers should have ‘several’ players receive the nod. He was particularly effusive of Max Muncy and Justin Turner, via SportsNet LA
“I think that Max Muncy deserves to be an All-Star, for me. Not only for me, I think he deserves to be an All-Star period. And I think Justin Turner should be in the conversation, no doubt. I understand there’s a few really good third basemen in the league.”
Muncy has followed up a breakout 2018 campaign with a season thus far that nearly matches it. He led the Dodgers with 35 home runs last year, and now helped them make a bit of MLB history by being one of three players to slug 20 prior to July 1.
He enters Sunday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies batting .281/.383/.550 with 13 doubles and 57 RBI. Muncy additionally has expanded his defensive versatility to being able to adequately play second base.
He has committed a couple errors at the position but overall performed well enough that it’s allowed the Dodgers to slide Muncy over in light of Kiké Hernandez struggling since his hot start to the season.
Meanwhile, Turner has continued to be steady presence in the Dodgers lineup and at third base. He was selected to a first career All-Star Game in 2017, breaking the MLB record in the now-defunct Fan Vote.
All-Star Game reserves will be selected via a combination of voting by players and the Commissioner’s Office. Roberts is managing the National League team for a second year in a row.
