Blue Jays Sending Donaldson, Encarnacion, Estrada to All-Star Game
The Toronto Blue Jays trio of Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Marco Estrada were deservingly named to the MLB All-Star game, while Canadian Michael Saunders still has a chance to make it as a final vote-in candidate.
The Toronto Blue Jays have turned their season into high gear with an impressive month of June, and beginning of July, and the news gets better for the team.
On Tuesday, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Marco Estrada were named to the MLB All-Star Game. While they were not named starters, just to be voted onto the team is a great accomplishment for these players.
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
Last season there was a big campaign to get Donaldson into the game as a starter, with Don Cherry and actor Stephen Amell leading the charge. While the Blue Jays did not get off to a great start this season, there offence is terrorizing pitchers once again and their starting rotation has been strong throughout.
Outfielder Michael Saunders still has a chance to make the All-Star team as a final vote-in, which you can do here. Saunders has been a big surprise this season considering he was almost traded by the Blue Jays during the offseason.
While Encarnacion and Donaldson are no strangers to the All-Star game, Estrada is one player who has earned the nod to the team and it is no surprise, given how his season has gone. He has been the Blue Jays most consistent pitcher the past two seasons and he has done that as someone who does not throw with high velocity.
In 34 games last season (28 as a starter), Estrada had a 13-8 record with a 3.13 ERA. He was even better in the playoffs, especially in games where the Blue Jays needed him to be at his best.
Even with a nagging back injury which has been giving him some discomfort, Estrada has been even better this season. He has a 2.93 ERA, which is third in the American League behind Chris Sale and Cole Hamels, and his 0.99 WHIP is second only behind Sale for the league lead.
The 33-year old has held opposing batters to a .173 average, which is the best in the league and has the fewest hits-per-nine rate at 5.52. To think he was acquired for Adam Lind and started last season in the bullpen.
There hasn’t been a hitter swinging the bat better than Encarnacion, who has 22 home runs and a league leading 76 runs batted in, which was important for the Blue Jays after they struggled out of the gate. With all the contract talks surrounding him and Jose Bautista, there were a lot of distractions, but Encarnacion has shown he can put it aside.
This should give management confidence in giving the 33-year old a new deal and hopefully the situation will resolve itself when the season is done. Right now the Blue Jays are taking advantage of his strong season at the plate.
Donaldson has continued to be an integral part of this Blue Jays team and it was apparent when his and the team’s struggles coincided early on in the season. However, with Donaldson, Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki playing at the level many were expecting them to play at, it has put the Blue Jays back in contention in the AL East.
Next: Don't move Aaron Sanchez to the bullpen
One notable player that should have been considered for the All-Star team was Aaron Sanchez, who many can argue has been the ace of this pitching staff. Sanchez, Estrada and J.A. Happ have been vital to the team’s great start, while Marcus Stroman and R.A. Dickey have been inconsistent at times this season.