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Three Oakland A’s that should make All Star Game

By David Hill

May 5, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Ramon Laureano (22) fields a fly ball during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Ramon Laureano (22) fields a fly ball during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

As the calendar turns to June, it is time to start looking ahead to the All Star Game. There are quite a few deserving players, but unfortunately, not everyone will be selected. That should not be the case when it comes to the Oakland A’s, as they should be well represented at the Mid-Summer Classic.

The A’s, after all, currently reside atop the AL West, leading the division by a game and a half heading into Monday. With a relatively easy schedule for the first part of June, it is entirely possible that lead will increase. As division leaders tend to be well represented, that should be the case for the A’s as well.

Three probable All Stars for the Oakland A’s

But which players should make the All Star Game? The A’s have plenty of players that are valuable to their roster, but may not have the stereotypical numbers that one would think of to be a part of that team. But that does not mean that the A’s will be held to just that token player every team gets.

Let’s take a look at three players from the Oakland A’s that should be a part of the All Star Game.

Matt Olson

It is amazing to think that Matt Olson has not been an All Star. He has been a key part of the Oakland A’s lineup, a power hitting first baseman whose Gold Glove defense at first has made a tremendous difference over the years.

However, Olson had been viewed as a possible MVP candidate at the start of the season. He has lived up to his end of the bargain thus far, posting a .253/.342/.540 batting line with 13 homers and 11 doubles in his 202 plate appearances entering Monday. Olson has beenhitting everything hard, including himself as he missed time when he hit a line drive off the L screen hard enough that it bounced back and hit him in the eye.

Over the years, Olson has been one of those players who has been more valuable to the A’s than anything else. He has received MVP votes just once, and aside from his Gold Gloves, has not received much consideration for any awards. This may be the year when that changes.

Matt Olson has had a strong first two months of the season. He deserves to get his first All Star Game nod.