Four players will represent the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in Minneapolis for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.
Carlos Gomez, Aramis Ramírez, Jonathan Lucroy, and Francisco Rodriguez have been selected to participate for the National League in the 85th installment of the Midsummer Classic.
Gomez and Ramírez have earned starting nods via the fan vote. It is the second consecutive All-Star appearance for Gomez and third overall for Ramírez, who is representing Milwaukee for the first time. Both players are making their first starts in the Midsummer Classic, with Ramírez becoming the first Brewer to start such a contest at the hot corner.
Gomez continues to display his coveted combination of power and speed, having belted 13 homers and swiped 14 bags in 17 opportunities thus far. His 45 runs batted in and .299 batting average validate his status as one of the premier outfielders in the game. Gomez finished behind reigning MVP Andrew McCutchen in voting among NL outfielders.
Ramírez has crushed 11 long balls while driving in 41 runs, ranking him fourth and fifth among NL third basemen, respectively. It is the final year of a three-year pact for Ramírez, who edged out Mets veteran David Wright in votes among third basemen.
Jonathan Lucroy, making his first All-Star appearance, will serve as a backup backstop for the National League. Lucroy currently ranks second in the National League and fourth in all of baseball with a .329 batting average, tops among catchers. His 44 RBIs rank second among MLB catchers, while his nine homers rank fourth in the National League at the position.
Despite a politically influenced 'Vote Lucroy' video campaign, the Brewers' catcher fell short in votes to rival backstop Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals. Red Birds' skipper Mike Matheny publicly criticized Lucroy's campaign, taking exception to the negative connotations directed towards the Cardinals organization.
Francisco Rodriquez will make his fifth All-Star appearance and first as a Brewer. Having served primarily as a set-up man for Milwaukee from 2011-2013, Rodriquez has been dominant as the unquestioned closer in 2014. 'K-Rod' has converted 27 of 30 save opportunities and is currently tied with Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel for the MLB lead in that category. Rodriguez owns a 2.34 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in what has surely been a bounce-back season in the closer's role.
Several other unselected Brewers players certainly earned All-Star consideration. Right handed starter Kyle Lohse made a strong bid for his first Midsummer Classic appearance, pacing the staff with a 9-3 mark, 3.18 ERA, and 1.10 WHIP. Many view Lohse as the ace of Milwaukee's staff, having leaped over Yovani Gallardo for the unofficial title.
Despite leading his club with 49 runs batted in, Ryan Braun's overall numbers are less than staggering this season. Milwaukee's embattled right fielder, who has been bothered by a myriad of injuries in 2014, has socked 11 homers while batting .288. Despite his dip in numbers, Braun did finish sixth in voting among NL outfielders.
Arguments could be made for Wily Peralta, Will Smith, and Zach Duke, who are all enjoying very solid seasons as members of Milwaukee's staff.
Despite any perceived snubs, the Brewers and their fans should certainly be proud. The Brewers have four All-Star selections for the first time since 2007, the franchise's first winning campaign in a decade and a half. At that Midsummer Classic, Milwaukee was represented by the likes of Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Ben Sheets, and Francisco Cordero.
Like it or not, the Midsummer Classic has a direct impact on the Fall Classic. With the All-Star Game carrying home field advantage implications for the World Series, the first-place Milwaukee Brewers have every intention of bringing home a victory for the National League.
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Barrel Man
