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New York Yankees: Players with a Chance at the 2017 MLB All-Star Game

By Sean Dyer

Apr 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of the MLB All-Star game logo inside Marlins Park prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of the MLB All-Star game logo inside Marlins Park prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Longshots

Just because a player is having a good year doesn’t necessarily mean they get an All-Star nod. Making the Summer Classic is not easy. There is a lot of talent in today’s MLB. Here are some Yankees who, for one reason or another, are considered longshots to make the All-Star game.

May 9, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

SP C.C. Sabathia

7-2, 3.46 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 75.1 IP, 62 K, 24 BB, 1.5 WAR

Sabathia was pitching like an ace and looked destined for an All-Star appearance when he went down with a hamstring strain on June 13th.

The injury landed C.C. on the disabled list and his time on the shelf has caused his All-Star buzz to wear off.

In the lefty’s six starts prior to his injury, he was 5-0 with an ERA of 0.99.

Sabathia’s seven wins on the year are tied for eighth-best in the American League and his 3.46 ERA ranks ninth in the Junior Circuit.

If not for his time on the disabled list, C.C. might be an All-Star lock. As it stands, it seems unlikely Sabathia makes his seventh career Summer Classic.

All-Star Probability: 10%

Jun 21, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (47) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (47) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

SP Jordan Montgomery

6-4, 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 81.2 IP, 79 K, 27 BB, 1.6 WAR

Montgomery has been the best rookie pitcher in the American League, ranking at the top of all major stat categories for first-year hurlers.

For Yankee fans, Montgomery has been better than they could have asked for. The 24-year-old has been as consistent as anyone in New York’s rotation.

A look at his stats compared to all AL starting pitchers shows that Montgomery is towards the top of a few categories.

The left-hander’s 3.53 ERA ranks tenth in the AL and his 1.21 WHIP is good for eleventh-best.

Although Montgomery has been a standout for the Yankees so far this season, there are still enough AL pitchers ahead of him to keep him from his first All-Star selection.

All-Star Probability: 5% 

Jun 9, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) hits a two-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) hits a two-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

OF Aaron Hicks

.290/.398/.515, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 2.8 WAR

It pains me to call Aaron Hicks an All-Star longshot.

Hicks is having a career year and has blown away expectations.

His .290 batting average and .515 slugging percentage are both fourth-best among American League outfielders. The switch-hitter’s .398 on-base percentage ranks third in all of baseball.

So why is Hicks not a lock to make the All-Star game? The man should be fighting for a starting spot in the Summer Classic.

The issue is that Aaron Hicks was not a starting outfielder for the Yankees on Opening Day.

That means that Hicks is not on the American League All-Star Game Ballot.

The only way for Hicks to be voted in as a starter would be for the fans to write him in. It is almost impossible for any player to get enough write-in votes to earn a starting spot.

Hicks’ only chance at the All-Star game, therefore, is to be selected by AL Manager Terry Francona for a spot on the bench.

This seemed doable until Hicks went down with an oblique strain that landed him on the disabled list last week.

Francona likely won’t pick a player for a bench spot that he can’t use, so Hicks’ All-Star chances took a real hit when he went down on Sunday.

All-Star Probability: 20%

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