Astros: 10 players named candidates for inaugural All-MLB teams

Fans can vote for several Astros players to be on the brand new All-MLB teams.

Major League Baseball has announced a new way of recognizing player performance with the new All-MLB teams, and fan voting is open. There are 10 Astros listed as candidates for the honors, the most of any team.

Similar to the All-NBA teams, the All-MLB team honors are not separated by league, so both American League and National League players are vying for the same spots. There will be a first team and a second team, each with single spots for all four infield positions, catcher and designated hitter, three spots for outfielders, five spots for starting pitchers and two spots for relief pitchers.

The idea is basically to give fans the opportunity to vote on players’ full-season performance, as the All-Star voting only takes the season’s first half into account. Voters are asked to only consider players’ regular season performances when making their selections. Fan votes will count for half of the total vote, with the other half from a “panel of experts.”

Astros On The Ballot

Yuli Gurriel is one of eight first basemen on the ballot. He has the highest batting average at the position, but also the second-lowest OPS. He faces stiff competition from guys like Pete Alonso, Josh Bell, Freddie Freeman and Anthony Rizzo.

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There are six second base candidates, with Jose Altuve being one of them. He leads them all in OPS, is second in home runs and third in batting average. He’ll attempt to beat out the likes of DJ LeMahieu, Ozzie Albies and Whit Merrifield.

Third base is absolutely stacked, with 11 candidates vying for the spot. Alex Bregman leads them all in OPS and is second in homers and fifth in RBIs and batting average. He’s going up against Anthony Rendon, Nolan Arenado and Rafael Devers, among others.

Unsurprisingly, Yordan Alvarez is one of the five candidates at DH. He leads them all in batting average, though not in any of the counting stats thanks to having started the year in the minors. He’ll have to beat out the likes of Nelson Cruz, J.D. Martinez and AL home run champ Jorge Soler.

There are 15 outfield candidates, with three spots on each of the first and second All-MLB teams. The Astros have two on the list in George Springer and Michael Brantley. Springer is fifth in OPS and homers, while Brantley is fifth in batting average. They’re up against guys like Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Astros have a good shot at getting a starting pitcher on the All-MLB teams, as they have three of the 19 candidates. Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and runner-up Gerrit Cole should make the teams, and Zack Greinke has a shot as well. Verlander and Cole had the two highest strikeout totals and were fourth and third, respectively, in ERA. They are the only 20-game winners on the list.

Finally, Roberto Osuna is one of 11 relief pitcher candidates. He finished second in saves and second in WHIP among the nominees. He will be up against Josh Hader, Kirby Yates, Aroldis Chapman and Ken Giles.

All About Voting

Voting is open now, and fans can vote once every 24 hours until 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 3. The teams will be announced at the Winter Meetings on Dec. 10. Go here to cast your vote for the All-MLB teams.