Chicago — The spoils of success.
Major League Baseball on Wednesday released the All-Star ballot for the July 15 All-Star Game in Atlanta. And the Tigers, with the best record in the American League, were rewarded with nine players on the ballot.
Makes sense, right? A sum-of-its-parts team gets a lot of its parts recognized.
“I think a lot of guys warrant that type of recognition,” manager AJ Hinch said. “Whether they ultimately end up in the All-Star Game or not. We’re proud of how we’re playing. We’re proud of the group we have and we’ve had to use a lot of different guys.”
Let’s go around the diamond:
▶ Catcher Dillon Dingler
▶ First baseman Spencer Torkelson
▶ Second baseman Gleyber Torres
▶ Third baseman Zach McKinstry
▶ Shortstop Trey Sweeney
▶ Outfielders Kerry Carpenter, Javier Báez and Riley Greene
▶ Designated hitter Colt Keith
“It wasn’t too long ago when we’d have only a couple of guys that you would mention as potential all stars,” Hinch said. “Now it’s multiple guys. We’re trying to win as many games as we can and you can’t do that without a lot of talented players. I think that’s where this recognition is coming from.”
Fans can cast their votes on MLB.com/vote. The voting in Phase 1 of the All-Star selection process ends at noon on June 26. Fans can submit up to five ballots a day.
The finalists will be selected and voted on from June 30 to July 2.
The Tigers have not had an All-Star starter selected by the fan vote since Miguel Cabrera in 2015.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
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