Milwaukee Brewers: Predicting the 2017 All-Star(s)

With the All Star Break only a few short weeks away, the Milwaukee Brewers still find themselves in the driver’s seat of the National League Central. A first place record at that point in the season was unexpected at the beginning of the season. Given their success, the Brewers could have a couple of All-Stars in Miami.

Each team is guaranteed at least one All-Star every year. But the teams with the most talent can get multiple players in the All Star Game. A few years ago, the Oakland Athletics were able to get seven players on the All Star team. The most players the Milwaukee Brewers have ever had put on the All Star team is four, most recently in 2014.

The Brewers have no shortage of players that have produced this season and plenty of cases could be made for their selection. But who is most likely to be selected? The Brewers could end up with two or three All-Stars this year.

Here is your obligatory reminder to vote Brewers at MLB’s All Star Ballot. Voting ends on June 29th at midnight so hurry up and vote. While it’s unlikely that any Brewers players are voted in as starters since none are currently on the All-Star leaderboard, it’s important to vote Brewers.

This year, the All-Star rosters have been trimmed from 34 players down to 32 since the Midsummer Classic no longer “counts” in regards to home field advantage in the World Series. There will be 20 position players and 12 pitchers on each team and instead of home field advantage, the teams will be playing for a monetary incentive. Each player on the winning team will receive $20,000.

Who from the Milwaukee Brewers could be heading to Miami this year? The potential players can be divided into three categories.

The “Favorites”

The “Possible, But Unlikely’s”

The “Could Make A Case, But No Chance Whatsoever’s”

Next: What Does The Return Of Ryan Braun Mean For The Lineup?

Knebel is a virtual lock, and Nelson is likely to go as well, but there’s no way the Milwaukee Brewers can sneak three pitchers on the 12 man pitching staff. If the Brewers do get a third All Star, it will have to be a position player. Both Shaw and Thames are deserving, but face tough competition at their respective positions. Thames may have the edge in that regard since he has wider recognition among baseball circles for his performance this season.

If Thames does get the All-Star nod, it’s possible he could be in the Home Run Derby as well, although his leg injuries through the month of May could lead him to decide against that. But expect two, maybe three All-Stars coming from the first-place Milwaukee Brewers this year.