Álvarez, Tucker Most Deserving to Represent Astros as Reserves in All-Star Game

The Houston Astros will send pitchers to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game, which position players will join them?

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was selected to his eighth All-Star Game on Friday. The second baseman won the fan vote over Toronto Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal, while Yordan Álvarez finished second in fan voting behind Shohei Ohtani for designated hitter.

Justin Verlander, Ryne Stanek, Rafael Montero and Framber Valdez all offer All-Star résumés, but only two other position players may join Altuve and the Astros' staff in Los Angeles.

Álvarez was the most deserving to be the starting designated hitter based on his offensive prowess this season. The lefty leads all of Major League Baseball in slugging percentage (.653), OPS (1.058) and OPS+ (196).

The 2019 American League Rookie of the Year is on the cusp of his first Mid-Summer Classic in his second full season in the major leagues. Álvarez — who has struck 26 home runs this year — has yet to confirm if he will participate in the Home Run Derby if asked to.

Kyle Tucker is in a similar boat to Álvarez, being on the edge of his first All-Star selection. The lefty is slashing to an .829 OPS this season with the eighth-best bWAR in the American League (3.3).

The right fielder ranks fourth-best in bWAR of American League outfielders while leading all major league outfielders in Defensive Runs Saved (10), according to FanGraphs. Tucker is an above-average hitter, displaying the strongest defensive season of any outfielder in the sport.

Houston Astros Designated Hitter Yordan Álvarez and Shortstop Jeremy Peña / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Peña will also receive votes from his fellow players. The rookie shortstop ranks seventh in the American League in bWAR (3.3) — the highest of any player at his position.

Although missing over a week with a thumb injury, Peña is still a front runner for AL Rookie of the Year with Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez. His offensive numbers have wavered week-by-week, but his overall play is the best at shortstop in the AL.

Twenty-three reserves will be selected for both the American League and the National League, consisting of pitchers and position players. The "Player Ballot" and Commissioner's Office selections will be announced Sunday.

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