Mike Trout is an All-Star starter, La Stella finishes second, could still be a reserve

The MLB All-Star starters vote results are in and it is no surprise that Angels outfielder Mike Trout was chosen by the fans, receiving the most overall votes.

So for the seventh year in a row Mike Trout will be a starter in the MLB All-Star on July 9th in Cleveland.  Trout will be flanked by Astros outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer who beat out both Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts.

Trout is having another fine season hitting .303 with 22 homers and 57 RBIs.  He has also scored 63 runs, has 167 total bases, with a .461 OBP and an OPS of 1.090.  If Trout keeps this pace up he will hit 44 home runs and drive in 114 runs with 126 runs scored which would all be career-highs for Trout.

The other Angel who was in the running to be an All-Star starter was second baseman Tommy La Stella.  La Stella finished first overall in the initial fan voting, but was edged out by D.J. LeMahieu of the Yankees 38% to 31.5%.  The Astros Jose Altuve a perennial starter the past couple of seasons finished third overall with 30.5% of the fan vote.

“It’s great. All-Star games are always fun. I want to thank the fans for voting. it wouldn’t be possible without them voting (for me), I’m excited, ” Trout said. “I just enjoying going to them (All-Star Games). Every year I’m kind of slowing it down and embracing the experience and enjoy the moment.”

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When asked about possibly participating in the home run derby, Trout replied. “I don’t know if I would go that far. I like going there spending time with my family and watching other guys hit,” Trout said. “Maybe some year I will just say to myself let’s do it. I have fun watching it. I enjoyed watching it as a kid, but I’ve just never wanted to do it.”

However, Trout said that one Angel would win it if he would participate in the Home Run Derby. “If Shohei were to do it he would win it. He’s got the best power in the league,” Trout said . “Obviously this year is different because he is coming off Tommy John. I want him to do it and I’m sure he wants to do it. I don’t know how our trainers would like that. You go up taking full hacks, would affect his arm, probably not. We need him coming back throwing 105. If he is in it I’m going to be there cheering him on.”

Trout’s seventh straight All-Star starter selection is the most since Derek Jeter did it from 2006-2012.  It also sets an Angel record for most times being an All-Star wearing an Angel jersey, breaking Rod Carew’s mark of six times.

“It means a lot (to set the Angel record). There have been a lot of great guys to wear the Angel uniform before me,” Trout said. “It’s an honor. I can’t do this without the fans. I just go out there and try to do my best every night. I try to give my team, the fans, myself, give it 100% every night. It’s an honor and it’s humbling to make it seven straight seasons.”

It will remain to be seen if Trout will have any company from the Angels as Tommy La Stella still could get in as a reserve and reliever Ty Buttrey has been mentioned as a bullpen candidate as well as Shohei Ohtani having an outside shot, especially with his hot hitting as of late (.370 avg. with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in his last 22 games).  We will see what happens as the reserves will be announced on Sunday, June 30th.