I understand that the Major League Baseball writes up the All-Star ballots as the season begins. The names that appear under each position are those of the projected starters for the season. However, the ballots need updating when and after the voting begins because they can often misrepresent the players who deserve the fans’ votes.
Case in point: The Toronto Blue Jays have two names reversed on the ballot regarding their actual regular positions. Edwin Encarnacion appears as a designated hitter, and Adam Lind appears as a first baseman. At first, it may have started off this way. However, it did not remain so.
Encarnacion has played 49 games at first base and 11 as the DH through June 5. Lind has played 11 at first and 19 as DH.
This situation may not seem all that significant, but it can affect how a fan votes. For example, the MLB Official Online Ballot shows Encarnacion (.273, 19 HR, 50 RBI as of June 5) as a DH. It also has Baltimore’s Nelson Cruz (.319, 21 HR, 55 RBI). Fans can vote for only one, but many may feel that both deserve their votes. In that case, one of the two will get left out.
Naturally, the possibility of any two players deserving votes with both appearing at the same position certainly exists. For example, the White Sox’ Jose Abreu (.266, 17 HR, 47 RBI) is on the ballot at first base, so a similar dilemma ensues. Still, though, switching Lind and Encarnacion would at least make the decision for first base more realistic. Although a solid Major Leaguer, Lind is not an All-Star at either position.
At least there is one way to vote for Encarnacion to play first base: the write-in vote. By skipping the first base position, voters can scroll to the bottom and use the write-in function to vote for any player who does not appear on the ballot or appears at an incorrect position. This assumes, though, that fans will use the feature. If not, how many votes might Encarnacion lose because of his incorrect placement on the ballot?
Whether or not fans agree on who gets the votes, the ballot needs updating. Lind and Encarnacion play the bulk of their games at the other man’s listed position. If Major League Baseball wants to keep the integrity of the fan vote intact and as fair as possible, then those responsible for doing so need to make this and any other similar change right away.
PHOTO CREDIT: Chris O’Meara/The Associated Press
[…] Fans may still vote for him as a first baseman by submitting his name as a write-in candidate, but if MLB would correct that error, then Encarnacion would get a fairer chance. Whether voted as a starter or selected as a reserve, […]