Replacing Mookie Betts: Top 6 NL Shortstops for the All-Star Game
Sportsgrid Staff
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Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies
Ezequiel Tovar is a bright spot for the struggling Colorado Rockies. His .287 batting average and .483 slugging percentage rank fourth among NL shortstops, and his 2.5 fWAR places him in the top five. Tovar's strong defensive play (7.7 Def) further enhances his case as a potential All-Star replacement, showcasing his all-round talent at the shortstop position.
Mookie Betts Out for 2024 MLB All-Star Game
Mookie Betts, the all-world shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, suffered a fractured hand on June 16, leading to a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks. This unfortunate injury means Betts will likely miss the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, despite leading the fan vote for NL starting shortstop. His absence raises significant questions for the Dodgers, who must navigate the rest of the season without their star player. Betts' impressive season stats and his leadership on the field will be sorely missed during his recovery period, impacting both the Dodgers and the All-Star lineup.
Let's look at six shortstops that have a case for deservedly replacing Betts in the Midsummer Classic.
CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
CJ Abrams has been a key contributor for the Washington Nationals, who are in postseason contention. Abrams is having a career year, hitting .283 with a .507 slugging percentage and 131 wRC+. His combination of power and production, including 10-plus home runs and 40-plus RBIs, makes him one of the top candidates to replace Betts in the All-Star Game.
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Willy Adames, Milwaukee Brewers
Willy Adames has been a consistent performer for the Brewers, leading NL shortstops with 54 RBIs and tying for second in home runs with 13. His all-around contributions are reflected in his 2.8 fWAR and strong offensive (7.2) and defensive (8.0) ratings. Adames' impressive stats make him a worthy candidate to step in for Betts as the NL’s starting shortstop.
Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
Despite missing nearly half of the Phillies’ games due to injury, Trea Turner remains a fan favorite. Turner leads NL shortstops with a .327 batting average and ranks second in wRC+ (136) and OBP (.379). With 1.6 fWAR in just 40 games, Turner is a strong contender to start the All-Star Game if fans choose him over the injured Betts in the final phase of voting.
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Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
Francisco Lindor has bounced back from a slow start to become one of the hottest NL shortstops. His 3.2 fWAR ranks third among NL shortstops, and he has been on fire in June, slashing .291/.354/.547. Lindor's impressive 2.5 fWAR since May 1 and balanced offensive (9.0) and defensive (9.5) ratings make him a solid replacement for Betts in the All-Star Game.
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Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz, the cornerstone of the Cincinnati Reds franchise, is having a stellar sophomore season. Leading all NL shortstops in FanGraphs WAR with 3.5, De La Cruz showcases his power with 14 home runs and blistering speed with a major league-leading 37 stolen bases. His impressive offensive and defensive stats, including a 14.0 offensive rating and a 7.8 defensive rating, make him a strong candidate to replace Betts.
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Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies
Ezequiel Tovar is a bright spot for the struggling Colorado Rockies. His .287 batting average and .483 slugging percentage rank fourth among NL shortstops, and his 2.5 fWAR places him in the top five. Tovar's strong defensive play (7.7 Def) further enhances his case as a potential All-Star replacement, showcasing his all-round talent at the shortstop position.
Mookie Betts Out for 2024 MLB All-Star Game
Mookie Betts, the all-world shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, suffered a fractured hand on June 16, leading to a recovery timeline of six to eight weeks. This unfortunate injury means Betts will likely miss the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, despite leading the fan vote for NL starting shortstop. His absence raises significant questions for the Dodgers, who must navigate the rest of the season without their star player. Betts' impressive season stats and his leadership on the field will be sorely missed during his recovery period, impacting both the Dodgers and the All-Star lineup.
Let's look at six shortstops that have a case for deservedly replacing Betts in the Midsummer Classic.
