When the first National League voting update was released for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Dodgers had eight different players ranked among the top nine at their respective position.
But with the updates that followed, it became evident only Cody Bellinger was likely to be named a starter. Bellinger and Joc Pederson were the only Dodgers who qualified to advance from the “Primary” round of voting to the “Starters Election.”
Though Bellinger slipped from being the overall vote-getter to third (second in National League), he was among the outfielders voted in to start in the All-Star Game next month at Progressive Field.
It wasn’t the first time Dodgers players didn’t fare well with the fan vote, whether the old process or through the new overhauled system, and the franchise still can be represented as reserves via selection by their peers and the Commissioner’s Office.
When discussing Bellinger and Pederson advancing as finalists, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear he believes the team should have a strong presence at the 90th Midsummer Classic, via SportsNet LA:
“I think if you look at the production on both guys, obviously Cody is not even a debate. I haven’t really looked into the other outfielders that are on the list, to be quite honest, as far as production. Joc’s ability to play all three and his production is a case. And I think along with those two guys, like I’ve always said, I think we should have a handful of All-Stars.”
The Dodgers found themselves in a similar position in 2017, when as the team with the best record in baseball, they failed to have a starter voted into the All-Star Game that year. Their best hope lied with Corey Seager, who lost out to Zack Cozart, then of the Cincinnati Reds.
Ultimately, the Dodgers sent Bellinger, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Seager, Justin Turner and Alex Wood to Miami as All-Stars. Turner reached via the now-defunct Fan Vote, breaking a record for most votes through that process. Wood was a replacement for Kershaw, who was ineligible because he pitched on the final Sunday before the exhibition game.
This season, the Dodgers figure to have cases for Walker Buehler, Jansen, Kershaw, Max Muncy, Pederson, Seager and Turner to join Bellinger at the All-Star Game. Though, Seager won’t be able to participate and already has plans to begin a rehab assignment as he continues to recover from a left hamstring strain.
Roberts is managing the NL All-Star team for a second consecutive year. All-Star Game reserves and pitchers will be announced Sunday evening.
