Boston Red Sox: The Case for Six All-Stars

A year ago, the Boston Red Sox were in the early throes of watching their season careen towards another last-place finish in the American League East, capping off their first-half of the season by placing only one player on the 2015 All-Star game roster in Brock Holt.

If the first released results of all-star balloting are any indication, this season is shaping up to be quite different.

More from Boston Red Sox

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
• Mookie Betts Has Humble Outlook on Returning to Fenway
• Alex Cora Reveals What He Said to Cause NSFW Response from Justin Verlander

Not only are the Red Sox an American League best 32-20 as the calendar flips to June, but David Ortiz and Xander Bogaerts are the leading the way in All-Star votes at their respective positions of designated hitter and shortstop.

On top of that, it’s not like Ortiz and Bogaerts are the only players from the Red Sox performing at all-star levels. In fact, the case can be made for six players from the Red Sox to make the team if they keep performing at their current level for the next month.

David Ortiz

Ortiz has dialed back the clock, dipping into the fountain of youth and enjoying one of the finest seasons of his storied career.

If it’s not enough that he is hitting .335 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI’s, Ortiz is also on pace to finish well above his career average in OPS. He currently sits at 1.132, much better than his career average of .930.

For good measure, Ortiz also has 23 doubles, a triple, and even a stolen base. The stolen base alone should be enough to warrant him a spot on the 2016 American League all-star team.

Xander Bogaerts

If the Red Sox had to choose an MVP, they’d be hard pressed to choose between Bogaerts and Ortiz.

Bogaerts is currently riding a 24-game hitting streak. In May, he hit .403, raising his average to .350. On the year, he has collected 76 hits.

Then the stats keep on coming as Bogaerts has continued to improve on an already stellar young career. He has 30 runs batted in while scoring 42.

Bogaerts is helping lead the resurgence on offense, but he is also giving the Red Sox solid defense. He has only committed two errors and has a .989 fielding percentage.

The all-around play of Bogaerts is part of the reason why the Red Sox are in first and the main reason he currently leads American League shortstops in votes.

Jackie Bradley

The fourth-year outfielder, though his hitting streak ended at 29-games and before he could set the Red Sox team record, continues to enjoy a breakout season in 2016.

Bradley currently sits in fourth-place among outfielders in initial voting and has been a steady force through the season’s first two months.

He is hitting .331 on the season and has nine home runs to go along with 37 RBI’s. He also has four triples and holds an OPS of 1.010.

All good reasons, along with his stellar defense, that Bradley should make the All-Star team if he keeps it up.

Dustin Pedroia

The rock solid veteran Pedroia, through the first two months, has bounced back from the injuries that allowed him to play in only 93 games last season.

Pedroia is always in the discussion when it comes to all-star second baseman and this season is not different. His numbers are as consistent as always as he is hitting .309 with seven home runs and 25 RBI’S.

Throw in the rock solid defense (two errors, .989 fielding percentage) and Pedroia deserves to head back to the mid-summer classic where he rightfully belongs.

Steven Wright

The most consistent pitcher for the Red Sox this season has been  Wright. Though David Price and Rick Porcello lead the team with seven wins each, it has been Wright who the Red Sox have turned to when needing a starting pitcher to eat some innings.

Wright has tossed three complete games this season and has an ERA of 2.45. The knuckleballer has also struck out 61 batters in 69 innings.

In averaging almost seven innings per start, Wright has had only one start that wasn’t considered quality. His 5-4 record might not scream all-star, but if he continues to pitch well, his importance to the Red Sox and low ERA should be enough to garner him a spot at the All-Star game.

Travis Shaw

Yep. Third baseman Shaw, were he to continue building on his solid start, should be given consideration when it comes to all-star voting.

Named the starter at the beginning of the season, Shaw hasn’t disappointed. He’s hitting .292 and is right in the thick of the team lead in home runs and runs batted in (7. 35 respectively). He’s also legged out two triples and without jinxing him too bad, has had a very special season this season while manning the hot corner.

Good enough to give Shaw a look when casting those votes.

Is six all-stars for one team too many? No, not if they are all deserving of the nod. This isn’t a normal year of balloting, at least for me, when you just want to vote for players on your favorite team just because. All six of these players have a month to keep playing well and prove they deserve a shot.

And I haven’t even mentioned Mookie Betts, who has caught fire as of late and my very well play himself into an all-star nod as well. Betts homered thrice in last nights game against the Orioles; as he continues to heat up, there is no reason he couldn’t be in contention.

Next: Smokin' Ace: Steven Wright Leads Red Sox to Victory

Seven Red Sox all-stars? Stranger things have happened.

What say you, Red Sox Nation? Anyone on the Red Sox you’d select as well? Is six all-stars too many? Leave your thoughts below.