Milwaukee Brewers: Analyzing the Potential All Star Picks

Mike Moustakas & Yasmani Grandal

Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns made it a priority over the off season to sign players who would keep the offense dangerous in 2019. Two of the biggest signings to help in that endeavor were bringing back Mike Moustakas to play second base and signing one of the best offensive catchers in all of baseball in Yasmani Grandal. Now both have very good chances to make the All Star team.

“Moose” wasted no time fitting in for the year in his second season with Milwaukee, smacking his first home run for the year on Opening Day. He’s added 17 more since then to vault himself toward the top of the ballot at second base where he is currently listed.

Moustakas currently leads all other second basemen on the ballot in OPS (.907) and home runs (18), and runs scored (40). He ranks second in RBI (40) and doubles (14) and places fourth in batting average (.271). His most likely competition at the position should be Ketel Marte who leads in RBI and is second in several categories, but a third career All Star selection is still likely.

Grandal took a little bit to get settled in for the Brewers, going 0 for his first 12 to start the year. Since then, however, he has proven that signing him to add some more pop behind the plate was a very good idea.

Grandal leads NL catchers on the season in walks (30) and is tied for the lead in home runs (13). He sits second in OPS (.910), is fourth in batting average (.281), and places fifth in RBI (32). In one of the more odd stats out there, Grandal leads all other catchers on the ballot combined in triples, 2-1.

It is unlikely he catches Willson Contreras for a starting spot in the All Star game. Contreras leads catchers in OPS, is tied with Grandal in home runs, and is second in RBI and batting average, not to mention Cubs fans vote in droves. Chances for his second career All Star selection are still looking good, though.