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Oakland Athletics – Last Minute All Star Prediction

By Melson Varsovia

May 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill (18) is greeted in the dugout after the final out of the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Rich Hill (18) is greeted in the dugout after the final out of the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Athletics, amidst their worst season since, well, last year, are due to send at least one player to San Diego this year for the annual Midsummer Classic. There are some choice candidates. Who could be the A’s representative in the 2016 MLB All-Star Game?

Rich Hill might be the A’s best choice. Despite his recent groin injury, he consistently puts up strong outings for the A’s, and it shows in his statistic peripherals: 2.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts in 70 innings. Simply put, he puts the A’s in a position to win.

Josh Reddick would be the obvious position player choice: he is a fan favorite, and prior to his May injury was easily the best offensive player on the team. Even since recovering from an injury of his own, he is still batting .313/.388/.446 and still makes great plays in the outfield. This includes literally hitting balls to holes in the outfield where you’ll never see it again.

Khris Davis has been an absolutely electric part of the A’s lineup. Among outfielders in the American League, he only has less homers than Mark Trumbo. His bat has cooled down lately. He only hit 5 home runs in June, and he may not get consideration for that reason alone.

Marcus Semien is a sleeper pick: in a deep AL shortstop pool, Semien stands out as one of the leaders in home runs. He trails only Manny Machado in this category. Of course, he does have to contend with Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Francisco Lindor, as well.

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Danny Valencia may be another interesting pick. Valencia has the second-best average among third basemen in the American League, the fifth best on-base percentage, the third best OPS, and all this with far less at-bats than most third basemen. He may not be an All-Star this year (Josh Donaldson certainly will be), but in the coming years Valencia will be throwing his hat in that ring.

Lastly, if the AL All-Star team needed a reliever, the obvious choice might be Ryan Madson, the clear closer of the team now that Sean Doolittle is again on the disabled list. But among the A’s bullpen, Ryan Dull has pitched the most innings, has the best ERA, and has the lowest FIP (fielding independent pitching) aside from Liam Hendriks. He also has induced the most strikeouts. Famously, he has not yet allowed a single one of his 34 inherited runners to score.

Next: A's Continue Spiraling Downwards

Who do you think should be the A’s All-Star this year?