Braun v Fukudome - VOTE NOW FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME (merged with Braun 4th in All-Star voting)

[Weirdos19]

Pretty sure Sheets and Braun make it. I would say they are locks.

 

But my guess is that Hart is on the outside looking in. The numbers say he belongs compared to the other NL outfielders, but we may have to vote him in after the selections have been made.

 

Looks like Fukudome is gonna be voted in. The only stats he beats Hart in are OBP and votes. Must be nice to have blind fans that will vote for only their players.

 

Here are the outfielders that I think are having the best seasons (in no order):

 

McClouth, Nady, C Lee, Braun, Hart, Soriano, Ludwick, Rowand , Holliday, Church, and Winn.

 

Fukudome and Griffey will be voted in. Soriano is out. Who goes???

 

 

Edit: Removed excessive punctuation from title. - Toby

[tristarscoop]

I think Kendall deserves a nod, as well.

[uwisfan]

Hart plays a weak defensive position and doesnt have eye-popping numbers in a single category. He's never been in the top 5 of HRs, BA, or steals. He had no hype coming into the league. He is a great all-around player, but in right field, it will be a while before anyone else notices him outside of Milwaukee.

[GoudaBrew]

I think Kendall deserves a nod, as well.

I'll have to disagree. He's having a nice year defensively, but hasn't done much with the stick for some time now. McCann, Molina (Bengie), Martin, and Soto all deserve it more. Any maybe Doumit, though he hasn't played as much due to injury.

Was Braun in at the last "count update?" He and Sheets definitely deserve it. No one else stands out to me as a lock, but Hart is having a very nice season once again.

 

[crewcrazy]

The last I saw on FSN's little All-Star update crawl, Braun was 6th among NL outfielders. Hart's had a really good stretch lately, but I don't think he gets in...his best chance is the Last Vote contest, but he'll probably be up against a 7th Cub trying to make the roster or something. Soriano's injury may pave the way for Braun or Hart to be chosen as injury replacements if they don't make the roster, though.

[Menotti80]

the top (how many) outfielders make the roster??? i think there were 9 outfielders on the roster last year. does that simply mean braun needs to be in the top 9? wouldn't braun get an invite to the derby regardless of the number of votes he gets?

 

sheets should be a lock, braun too

[Oldcity]

I don't think Braun deserves it. Ludwick, Burrell, McLouth, Holliday, Bay and Dunn all deserve spots over him, and arguments could be made for Rowand, Church and Nady over him as well.

 

Sheets will be the only one.

[endaround]

Torres should get a look, but not starting out as the closer will harm him. Braun is really a toss up but given that the Pirates will be hurt by their record and Holliday missed time and Colorado has stunk I think he gets in. Sheets is the only lock I see.

[Menotti80]

braun is 5th in MLB in HRs. If anything, he is going to the Derby...

[FVBrewerFan]

I don't think Braun deserves it. Ludwick, Burrell, McLouth, Holliday, Bay and Dunn all deserve spots over him, and arguments could be made for Rowand, Church and Nady over him as well.

 

Sheets will be the only one.

Those guys are all real close, all depends what happens in the next few weeks. Plenty of time for Braun to go on another tear. If he gets up to 22-25 HR, hitting over .300, and top 3 or so in RBI he will be chosen. All numbers that are entirely possible.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think Kendall deserves a nod, as well.

I'll have to disagree. He's having a nice year defensively, but hasn't done much with the stick for some time now. McCann, Molina (Bengie), Martin, and Soto all deserve it more. Any maybe Doumit, though he hasn't played as much due to injury.

Was Braun in at the last "count update?" He and Sheets definitely deserve it. No one else stands out to me as a lock, but Hart is having a very nice season once again.

 

 

Both Molinas are having better years than Kendall. Definitely McCann, Martin and Soto are too. Doumit's numbers are so good that despite the limited AB's, he could make it. Hart has a lot of guys to pass. Ludwick is a lock. One of Nady, McClouth or Bay is a lock too. Burrell can't be ignored either. Plenty of others figure in too. Unless Braun gets in on votes, they won't take two Brewers as OF subs. Braun should make it but he's no lock either.

 

Sheets just needs to stay in one piece.

[Tedaldtada]

Stevo,

 

I have to disagree that Bay and Dunn deserve spots over him. Church doesn't measure up either. Braun's numbers are just plain better than both of those guys plus he plays for a better team.

[Postseason2006]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8165

 

What has this joker done to deserve to even be thought of? 5 homers...average under .300...come on people. Chokedome is a scrub and cub for Pete's sake.

[mark brouhard is number on]

yeah stevo Braun sure does deserve it over a number of other outfielders. not sure why you think he doesn't

 

Dunn is not having a great year, holliday has been hurt, and bay is at least having a comparable year to Braun

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Braun is popular and I see him getting in. Sheets is a lock. I think those will be the two guys. Remember, Milwaukee tends to be very good when it comes to making a late push to get our guys in the game.

 

It may come down to Braun being in that five player group for the final spot, and I would really like his chances if it came to that.

[And That]

Fukudome would be a stellar leadoff guy, but he's not been much more than a slightly above average RF this year so far. I'd take him over Hart for OBP reasons I guess.

 

Braun is right there with the top NL outfielders in terms of production... if the Brewers continue to stay hot before the All Star break and he continues to hit, he'll get in for sure. He still has ROY cred.

[zzzmanwitz]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8165

 

What has this joker done to deserve to even be thought of? 5 homers...average under .300...come on people. Chokedome is a scrub and cub for Pete's sake.

He was born in Japan.

[Oldcity]

I should say that if the team was selected right now I don't think Braun should get in. Obviously there's plenty of time to move up.

 

I say Braun doesn't deserve it right now because of his poor on-base percentage. Braun's OBP compared to the guys I mentioned:

 

Ludwick, Burrell, McLouth, Holliday, Bay and Dunn all deserve spots over him, and arguments could be made for Rowand, Church and Nady over him as well.

 

Ludwick .390

Burrell .419

McLouth .393

Holliday .401

Bay .394

Dunn .397

Rowand .385

Church .365

Nady .376

Braun .327... Yuck

Braun ranks seventh in NL outfielders in OPS, but that's because of his slugging. OBP is much more important than slugging, and Braun lacks in that area big time--31st in the NL among those with 175 ABs.

[T B0NE 10]

I think Braun and Sheets are locks and deserve it 100%

 

Hart is on the edge.....Like someone else said he may end up as the last player vote thing.

 

And it would be nice to see Kendall go, but I doubt it even with his improved D and timely hitting and recent power binge (HAHA)

[pitchleague]

Fukudome is a lock to be a starter because of the Japanese voters online from overseas. It's gonna happen! (there you go, Cub fans. Proper use of that phrase.)

 

I definitely think Braun will get selected to the team. Probably not as a starter, which is fine with me, but on the team. I really hope he doesn't participate in any HR derby, though.

[endaround]

Its really going to be hard for Braun. He likely won't get voted in. Rowand likely goes from San Fran. McClouth or Bay from the Pirates. Burrell has been better than Braun. Ludwick goes. Assuming Griffey, Soriano amd Fukudome get voted in and Soriano can't go you have what, 2 open spots for among Bay/McClouth, Holliday, Dunn, Braun and even maybe Church?

[mark brouhard is number on]

Having a poor on base average is only a small part of what Braun has done for the team. He has a great slugging percentage and is near the top of the league in home runs and RBI's. Don't get too hung up on OBP, myself and many others would gladly take Braun over Dunn and others in a secong, bad OBP or not.

[endaround]

I'd take him over Dunn too, but not because of his bat. I'd take Jason Bay as a superior player to Braun right now

[Menotti80]

how can anyone say he wont get voted in??? braun will get huge surges of votes every single homestand with them handling out ballots every home game. last homestand, he went from 10th place to 6th place. and we have another 9 game homestand coming up. braun will only move up from 6th in the next few weeks.

[zzzmanwitz]

Outfield
RANK	PLAYER NAME	NL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Soriano, A.	Cubs	1,088,866
2.	Fukudome, K.	Cubs	918,262
3.	Griffey, K.	Reds	775,759
4.	Lee, C.	Astros	587,027
5.	Beltran, C.	Mets	518,838
6.	Braun, R.	Brewers	514,913
7.	Holliday, M.	Rockies	507,628
8.	Pence, H.	Astros	500,857
9.	Burrell, P.	Phillies	487,131
10.	Ankiel, R.	Cardinals	478,136
11.	Upton, J.	D-backs	458,461
12	McLouth, N.	Pirates	392,398
13.	Bourn, M.	Astros	389,748
14.	Ludwick, R.	Cardinals	367,941
15.	Young, C.	D-backs	358,148

 

I will be voting a lot over the next 4 weeks. Lets get Brauny in!