A vote for Rays’ Jonathan Aranda is a vote for stories, game we love

TAMPA — Our debate begins in the usual manner, although there is more to the story.

We’re talking about electing starters to baseball’s All-Star Game, which means we’re talking about comparing numbers. Just as they did nearly a century ago when fans chose Lou Gehrig (.320, 17 HRs, 72 RBIs at midseason) ahead of Jimmie Foxx (.365, 24, 69) at first base in the inaugural game in 1933.

In today’s discussion, the numbers are not as garish, but the competition is more varied. There’s Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero (.275, 8, 30 going into Saturday’s games), New York’s Paul Goldschmidt (.308, 7, 31) and Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson (.237, 16, 47) among first basemen. There’s also Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda (.322, 8, 37).

Back in 1933, the baseball world had yet to invent fancy analytical models, so the usual counting stats were the basis of any argument. Today, we know better. And even if we stick to the most modestly-advanced calculations, the case is clear:

Aranda has been the AL’s best first baseman through 70-some games. He has a higher OPS and a better WAR than any of the other qualified candidates. Even if we go by defensive runs saved, Aranda is near the top of the list.

So yes, based on numbers alone, Jonathan Aranda deserves your vote.

But, of course, the debate does not end there.

In his own way, Aranda is the story of baseball. The tale of a player who signed for a modest bonus as a 17 year old at a baseball academy in Tijuana and practically got lost in the Tampa Bay farm system.

Three years he spent with short-season and rookie-league teams. Another two years he spent at Class A and sitting on the sidelines during the pandemic. After five years in the low minors, Aranda had five home runs and a .271 batting average.

There were literally dozens of players in the Rays’ farm system who were considered more valuable.

Across the past 16 All-Star Games, the Rays have had only seven position players voted in as starters. Can Jonathan Aranda win over fans in other markets? [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

It wasn’t until his sixth season in the minors — when he hit a combined .330 at Class A and Double A — that Aranda even cracked Baseball America’s list of top-30 Rays prospects. He came in at No. 28, behind Vidal Brujan, Blake Hunt, Tommy Romero, Alika Williams, Jacob Lopez and Miles Mastrobuoni among others.

So, yes, based on perseverance and backstory, Jonathan Aranda deserves your vote.

You’re probably aware this is somewhat rare territory for a Rays hitter. Across the past 16 All-Star Games, the Rays have had only seven position players voted in as starters. The Yankees have had more than 20. The Red Sox have had nearly as many. The Rangers, Royals, Blue Jays and Orioles have all had greater representation than Tampa Bay.

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And what makes that particularly painful is the Rays have the second-best record in the American League since 2008. Better than the Red Sox and Blue Jays. Better than any team not wearing pinstripes.

Maybe you could point the finger at Tampa Bay’s penchant for churning the roster, although it’s not as if Evan Longoria or Carl Crawford ever made another All-Star team after leaving here. And maybe you could say the Rays have invested more in pitching than hitting so their pool of candidates has been less impressive than their winning percentage suggests.

Or maybe, considering Tampa Bay’s attendance struggles, you could wonder aloud whether Rays fans have done their part in stuffing the digital ballot box (www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot) with as much fervor as other markets.

Perhaps the Rays could help with a more aggressive marketing campaign.

So yes, based on Tampa Bay’s past snubs and disappointments, Jonathan Aranda deserves your vote.

For fans elsewhere who might be unfamiliar with his game, there might be a fear that Aranda is a fluke. Cedric Mullins with an out-of-nowhere 30/30 season. Justin Smoak going crazy in 2017 or, even, Corey Dickerson being voted the starting DH for the Rays in 2017 and then bouncing from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to Miami to Toronto to St. Louis to Washington in the next six years.

What the guy in Seattle or the gal in Kansas City might not know is that Aranda has been building to this moment for years. He was the Most Valuable Player in the Double-A Southern League in 2021. He was the MVP again in the Triple-A International League in 2022.

If his breakthrough in Tampa Bay didn’t immediately follow, it was mostly because of circumstance. He had Brandon Lowe and Yandy Diaz in front of him at second and first base. He had a broken finger and then a pulled oblique after winning a starting job in 2024.

In the end, I suppose, it doesn’t matter if Aranda wins the fan vote as the starting first baseman. He’s being paid to help the Rays win games and the man is hitting .370 with runners in scoring position, so he’s doing his job.

It’s just that the All-Star Game is supposed to be a showcase. An honor and a reward. A moment to recognize baseball’s biggest names and to be introduced to the coming generation. Aranda has put in the time. He has the numbers. He has a story worth telling.

So, yes, based on the player he is, Jonathan Aranda deserves your vote.

Right now.

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