When selecting relief pitchers for the all-star game, managers look to take the best of the best and shoot mostly at taking closers. In recent years we’ve seen more set-up pitchers make the all-star game like Blue Jays’ lefty Brett Cecil last year in New York and Jonny Venters in 2011 when we had tremendously low ERA, but to make the all-star game as a set-up pitcher you really have to stand out either with their ERA, strikeouts, or the all important “inherited runners” stat.
Eventually closers will get more opportunities to get an all-star selection. Let’s not forget that a lot of starting pitchers come in to pitch in relief in this game which minimizes the chance of middle relievers getting an all-star selection.
Even though we might see 13-17 pitchers selected for the all-star game, the ones used might only be somewhere around 8 or 9 pitchers. So who are the relievers that should be taken to the all-star game?
American League
Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox: The current world champion closer Uehara has been pitching quite well although his team hasn’t lived up to expectations. Koji is a perfect 14 saves in 14 saves opportunities and is leading all relievers with a 0.61 ERA. Uehara has looked very comfortable in his outings and has become one of the game’s best closers.
Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals: Holland has continued where he left off last season. In 2013 he saved 47 games and earned an all-star selection. This year he continues to thrive as he is currently leading the AL in saves with 19 and has been able to maintain his ERA under 2.00 since last season. Greg Holland only continues to get better.
Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins: Perkins should have a secured spot on the roster not only because he is one of the best closers, but because the all-star game will take place at Target Field in Minnesota. Perkins is a fan favorite and the home crowd would love to see him pitch late in the game. He’s stats aren’t too shabby either, he has 17 saves with 39 strikeouts in 29.1 innings pitched.
Other candidates for this role include Fernando Rodney who has been a success with his new team the Mariners and Joakim Soria who is having a nice bounce-back season after suffering injuries.
National League
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves: Kimbrel is arguably the best closer in baseball right now and in the past few years. His strikeout to walk ratio is unreal and he currently leads closers with 48 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. He has been an all-star the past three seasons and he just recently earned the record for most saves in the Atlanta Braves franchise. Kimbrel should be a lock for the roster once again this year.
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers: Talk about a pitcher who has earned a spot this year, that has been K-Rod’s season so far. Francisco’s days as a closer seem to be finished after year 2011, but he has bounced back this season with the Brewers and leads all closers with 21 saves. Let’s not forget that he once saved 62 games in a season with the Angels, record for most saves in a season.
Huston Street, San Diego Padres: Street is very solid closer that probably doesn’t get the attention he deserves. He is a still a perfect 18 for 18 in saves opportunities, but not only that, he also owns a minuscule 1.04 ERA. His combination of low ERA and the fact that he has completed all of his save opportunities should give Huston Street an all-star roster spot.
Other candidates to make the squad include fire-thrower Aroldis Chapman who has recovered from a line drive shot he took to the head and has been pitching fine. Pitchers like Trevor Rosenthal and Steve Cishek should be on the radar as well especially if their teams continue to give them save opportunities.
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