The Seattle Mariners will have at least one representative at the 2012 All-Star game, but it may be presumptuous to think that the team could get more than one this season. After playing the first 62 games, the Mariners don't exactly have a lot of players that are standing out statistically any longer.
I think it's possible that the selection ends up being Felix Hernandez, even though he hasn't been putting up great numbers. He is the face of the franchise and thus the voters see him as the anchor of the team. Through 13 starts, he has a 4-5 record and a 3.70 ERA. Hernandez does have 84 strikeouts, but has been dogged recently by some very rough outings.
I had thought that Jason Vargas could become an All-Star for the first time this year, but he has taken a step back in recent weeks as well. He has a respectable 7-5 record and 3.90 ERA, but Vargas isn't the showcase player that typically finds himself picked for an All-Star team.
On offense, Michael Saunders has really stepped up for the Mariners. He is the leading hitter with a .276 batting average (the closest player is Kyle Seager at .264) and has 7 home runs to his credit. His defense in center field has been very good as well, possibly gaining him more notoriety heading into the break.
Kyle Seager is also someone who could get selected to the team if he can go on a hot streak, but he has to raise his batting average and on-base percentage. Through 58 games, Seager has 17 doubles, 8 home runs and 39 RBIs to his credit. If he could raise that batting average north of .280, I would pick him as the best representative of the team this year.
I fear that any of these possible representatives for the Mariners needs to go on a tear in the coming weeks or fans from other cities are going to find them undeserving as All-Star players. I might have a hard time arguing against that statement, even if I am an ardent supporter of the team. The Mariners have simply got to start playing better and let the chips fall where they may.
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*Ryan is a lifelong Seattle Mariners fan who never misses an opportunity to attend a game at Safeco Field. He has been attending games since 1985, and has fond memories of The Kingdome, Edgar Martinez, and the historic 1995 team. Sodo Mojo!
