MLB All-Star Game voting did not give Yasiel Puig a bid, but the Los Angeles Dodgers’ sensational rookie could still find a spot on the roster.
Puig failed to make the game either on fan balloting, the player vote, or as a selection of National League manager Bruce Bochy. But Puig still has a few chances to participate in the All-Star Game July 16 at Citi Field.
Yasiel Puig can still be chosen in online MLB All-Star voting for the final spot , fighting out for the slot along with four other candidates. Puig could also be named as an injury replacement.
Bochy noted that the injury replacement could be a viable option. Last year Bryce Harper was tagged to play as a replacement despite not having played a full season, Bochy noted.
The Dodgers outfielder has sparked debate over whether his fantastic but brief MLB season warranted an All-Star bid. Puig has a .420 batting average and 1.155 OPS, ending June with 42 hits. But he has only played one full calendar month in the Major Leagues after a late call-up.
Count Jonathan Papelbon , Philadelphia Phillies reliever, as one of those who believe Puig hasn’t proven himself worth of an All-Star slot just yet.
“To me, it’s an absolute joke .It’s really kind of stupid if you ask me,” Papelbon said in a radio interview, ESPN reports.
Papelbon added: “The guy’s got a month, I don’t even think he’s got a month in the big leagues. Just comparing him to this and that, and saying he’s going to make the All-Star team, that’s a joke to me.”
In MLB All-Star voting for the final spot, Yasiel Puig is competing with Washington’s Ian Desmond, Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman, San Francisco’s Hunter Pence and Dodgers teammate Adrian Gonzalez.
[Image credit: Ron Reiring ]
