And Now, Your Starting Lineups…

As announced at All-Star Media Day: 

For the American League:

1. Mike Trout, LAA, cf
2. Yordan Alvarez, HOU, dh
3. Shea Langeliers, ATH, c
4. Junior Caminero, TBR, 3b
5. Bobby Witt Jr, KCR, ss
6. Cody Bellinger, NYY, rf
7. Ben Rice, 1b, NYY
8. Riley Greene, DET, lf
9. Ernie Clement, TOR, 2b

And the National League:

1. Kyle Schwarber, PHI, dh
2. Juan Soto, NYM, lf,
3. Freddie Freeman, LAD, 1b
4. CJ Abrams, WSH, ss
5. Max Muncy, LAD, 3b
6. Ozzie Albies, ATL, 2b
7. Brandon Marsh, PHI, rf
8. Andy Pages, LAD, cf
9. Drake Baldwin, ATL, c

The starting pitchers for the 96th ASG are Dylan Cease of the Blue Jays and Cristopher Sánchez of the Phillies.

Enjoy the game everyone.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Thank You Topps Bunt for Making Cards of the Cardless All-Stars

Thanks to Topps Bunt, we don't have to wait for Update Series cards (or retail team cards) of the 9 All-Stars who did not have cards in either Series of the eponymous brand. 

For those who have the Topps Bunt app, people can purchase virtual packs of cards that include an insert card (or two) of the original 65 All-Stars selected on the 4th of July. Included in this set are the five players who were not in either series. 

So, if you want to print these images and add them to your ASG binder before the big game...

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Max Meyer

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Travis Bazzana

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Bryan Baker

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Jacob Latz

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Louis Varland

Not included in the selection is Tigers’ rookie Kevin McGonigle as he HAS a card, albeit short-printed.

Update: 7:00 pm CST

The game is just about to start. And Topps Bunt has the added the Player Replacement set online. 

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Willson Contreras

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Nick Martinez

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Tristan Peters

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Foster Griffin

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Iván Herrera

2026 Topps Bunt ASG Riley O’Brien

Thank you Topps Bunt.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Kurtz, Ashcroft, Burns are out of the ASG, Peters, Wrobleski, and Griffin are Named Replacements

The family was at the airport, getting ready to board a plane to Texas, when more announcements were made about All-Star Roster changes. Apparently, all it takes is for a guy to hit for the cycle, and one day later, you get a call-up to the All Star team </sarcasm>

2026 Topps Tristan Peters #330

So, Nick Kurtz, who was named the starter after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pulled out of the All-Star Game, was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right thumb sprain. Willson Contreras, who was added to the All-Star team earlier this week, appears to be the player replacing Kurtz in the starting lineup. Taking his spot on the All-Star game roster is White Sox rookie Tristan Peters. It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours for Peter’s as the day before, he hit a cycle against Kurtz’ Athletics, including a home run and a triple in the same inning. Presently, for the pale hose, he is hitting above 300, one of just 15 hitters with at least 200 plate appearances to do so. He joins Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas on the roster.

2026 Topps Justin Wrobleski #391

Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcroft pitched yesterday, throwing 98 pitches in five innings against the Brewers (on behalf of Cubs fans, thank you for the sweep). But because he pitched on Saturday, he elected not to pitch in Tuesday's game. This means that the Pirates will not have any representation on the main NL All-Star squad as he and fellow pitcher Paul Skenes played over the weekend. Taking Ashcroft's spot on the roster is Justin Wrobleski of the Dodgers. On a rotation full of superstars, Wrobleski has proved himself worthy of an All-Star selection, with a 10-2 record in 15 starts, along with a 2.69 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .180 average. The Dodgers representation has now reached 6 players, including Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Chase Burns of the Reds has been scratched from All-Star Game duties due to a nagging groin injury. Taking his spot in the NL All-Star bullpen will be Foster Griffin of the Nationals. The 30-year old Griffin, returning to MLB after 3 years in NPB, is the ace of the Nat's staff, with a 10-2 record and a 2.77 ERA in 19 starts. He joins CJ Abrams and James Wood representing the Nats.

So add Peters' #330 (even if he is representing the Rays on the card) and Wrobleski's #391 to your binders. Griffin does not have a card in either Series 1 or 2, so he will most likely make an appearance in the Update Series.

Just because we are now at the midway point of the season does not mean we could be done with roster updates. More could come, and if they do, I'll make sure to add them here.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Buxton, Judge, Suarez, Ohtani are out of the ASG, Murakami, Rafaela, Martinez, Herrera are Named Replacements

More players have been removed from the original ASG rosters and replacements have been named. Let's get to it.

2026 Topps Munetaka Murakami #503

Bryan Buxton, voted in as a starter for the AL squad, was placed on the DL on July 7 with a reaggravated right hip impingement. Impingement means, according to the Cleveland Clinic, "the painful pinching or rubbing of soft tissues - such as tendons or bursa - against bone in a joint." That sounds painful. With Buxton now out of the game, Riley Greene of the Tigers has been named as his replacement in the starting lineup. Buxton's replacement on the roster goes to the White Sox' "rookie" slugger Munetaka Murakami. Murakami just returned from the DL himself, missing more than a month from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Even with him out for more than 30 games, he has 20 home runs and 41 rbi's. He joins fellow Pale Hose Miguel Vargas on the team.

2026 Topps Ceddanne Rafaela #101

Aaron Judge, also voted onto the AL team, has been on the DL for a good part of the season with a stress fracture in his first right rib. So it was well known that someone else will take his spot in the starting lineup. Fellow Yankee Cody Bellinger will take his place as a starter. His replacement is Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela. Rafaela, a Gold Glove winner last year, is hitting .283 through 87 games this season, with 8 home runs and 39 rbi's. He is now the fourth Red Sox player on the team, joining Aroldis Chapman, Ranger Suarez, and Willson Contreras. Although...

Suarez himself is now on the DL because a groin injury. Replacing him is emerging Rays ace Nick Martinez. In his ninth MLB campaign, Martinez comes into the break with a 7-2 record in 17 starts, an ERA of 2.61 and 61 K's in 100 innings of work. Now a first-time All-Star, he joins fellow pitchers Bryan Baker and Drew Rasmussen, along with Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz from the first place Rays going to Philadelphia.

In a surprising turn of events, it was announced that NL vote leader Shohei Ohtani will not be heading to Philly for the game. Nursing knee discomfort since the middle of June, he was scratched from his scheduled pitching start, even though he is still able to hit. But he will have his knee drained on Sunday, with will allow him to recover before his Dodgers face the Yankees to open the second half of the season. Replacing him in the starting lineup will be Kyle Schwarber of the hometown Phillies, and taking Schwarber's spot on the bench will be Cardinals' catcher/DH Iván Herrera. Herrera, hitting .249 with 11 home runs and 40 rbi's is having a good year for the Redbirds as they remain in the hunt for the NL Central crown. He now joins teammates Riley O'Brien and Jordan Walker onto the team.

So add Murakami's #503 card and Rafaela's #101 card to your all-star binder. Martinez and Herrera, unfortunately, don't have a card in the eponymous brand, so expect them to make their appearances in card form via the Update Series.

Will there be more roster updates? Stay tuned.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Justin Verlander Named to AL All-Star Team as Legend Pick

 

2026 Topps Justin Verlander #415

Just like Bryce Harper was named as a "Legend Pick" for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, the American League has one as well. On the same day that Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander announced that he is retiring at the end of the 2026 season, the 21-year veteran and guaranteed future Hall of Famer was added to the AL team as a legacy pick. 

Now a 10-time All-Star, Verlander is currently on the 60-day disabled list, but did appear in one game this season. His numbers are certainly HOF-worthy as he carries a 266-159 record in 556 career games, all starts. He has struck out 3554 batters, a 3.33 ERA, and a starting pitcher WAR of 82.3. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2006, is a 3-time Cy Young Award Winner, and also won the MVP in 2011, becoming the first pitcher since Dennis Eckersley to win both awards in the same year. That season also saw him win the pitching Triple Crown (leading the AL in Wins, ERA, and K's).

Make sure to add Verlander's #415 Topps card into the binder, even if he won't be in the game. Congratulations to a great career. 

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Misiorowski, Skenes, and Meyer are out of the ASG. Ashcraft, Luzardo, and O'Brien are Named Replacements

It seems that the Sunday Starter Rule is still in effect.

What does that mean exactly?

It means that pitchers who were named onto the All-Star Team who are slotted to start on the Sunday before the All-Star Game will be ineligible to pitch in the game. Thus, while still getting the perks of being selected and they can still go take part in the festivities, these pitchers will no longer be part of the main rosters.

And so it was that Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers, Paul Skenes of the Pirates, and Max Meyer of the Marlins, after starting their respective games on Tuesday night, are all lined up to start this Sunday before the break. The NL pitching staff needs to find replacements for these three aces. 

2026 Topps Braxton Ashcraft #589

According to MLB.com, The Miz' replacement is Braxton Ashcraft of the Pirates. Ashcraft, a first-time All-Star, has been part of the reason why the Pirates are relevant in the NL Central after more than 11 years. He has a 9-3 record, a 3.24 ERA, and 122 strikeouts in 18 starts. He has, recently, been pitching better than his better known teammate. Depending on the source, we could easily say that Ashcraft is taking the place of Pirate ace Skenes. But MLB says that Ashcraft is covering for the Miz, so we'll go with that.

2026 Topps Jesús Luzardo #63

With Skenes now off the team, MLB.com reports that Phillies ace Jesús Luzardo has been added to the NL side. Luzardo, also a first-time Star, finished 7th in last year's Cy Young voting. Sporting a 7-4 record in 18 starts, with 125 K's and a 3.75 ERA, he is now part of the growing contingent of Phillies stars, six in all, playing host at this year's festivities. 

Finally, Max Meyer, one of the surprises that could lead the Marlins back to the postseason, also started Tuesday. His replacement is Cardinals' closer Riley O'Brien. Earning the closer role for 2026, he's saved 22 games for the Redbirds, keeping them in contention in a strong NL Central division. This will also be his first All-Star appearance.

So add Ashcraft's #589 cards from Series 2, and Luzardo's #63 from Series 1 to the All-Star Binder. Unfortunately, O'Brien is not in this year's set. And once again, curses to the higher ups who decided that there won't be any retail team sets in 2026. Just know that O'Brien is taking over for a guy who also doesn't have a card in this year's eponymous set. 

That's it for now. When Bryan Buxton's replacement is named, we'll let you know what card to add to the growing binder.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Willson Contreras Replaces VGJ on AL ASG Roster

2026 Topps Willson Contreras #180

We interrupt whatever I was doing to report that it was just announced that Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox has been added to the American League All-Star Team.

As mentioned in my post with the rosters and their Topps card numbers that because Vladimir Guerrero, Jr, elected to start at first base, was not going to participate in the game (he announced that he was going to rest his lower back for the 2nd half of the season), Nick Kurtz of the Athletics, who was named to the team as a reserve, will now move up to the starting lineup. Well, Kurtz moving up to means that a replacement needed to be named.

Enter Willson Contreras. Now going to his fourth All-Star Game (his first three as a catcher for the Cubs), Contreras will once again take part in an ASG with his brother William (2022), but this time on the opposing side. Willson joins teammates Ranger Suarez and Aroldis Chapman as the Boston contingent heading to Philly.

So add card #180 to your All-Star binders. Okay, he's a member of the Cardinals on his 2026 Topps card. If they had done the team sets (Why Topps??? WHY??!) he could have gotten a Red Sox card. He will definitely have an Update Series card.

More to come as the roster replacements are announced.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The 2026 All-Star Rosters Have Been Announced...What Do You Think???

While celebrating the Fourth of July at my sister's house, Fox Sports announced the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Teams. We already know Ernie Clement and Shohei Ohtani are going to Philadelphia. Who else is joining them?

I love this time of year. And what I have done every year since I really stated following the game, even during the years away from this humble, little blog, is take out the cards of the players who made each roster and put them in a special binder (my All-Star binder...if you will). I do this because it helps me not only recognize the players who became all-stars that particular year, but during the game, I use it to keep track of who's in the game as it progresses. And although I will be out of town when the ASG is happening, I will still have my binder, and will still watch the game.

So without further ado, here are the 2026 MLB All-Star Game rosters as announced on Tuesday night (with 2026 Topps Card # for those of you playing along):

American League Starters:
1B-Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jaysº (#20)
2B-Ernie Clement, Blue Jays (#505)
3B-Junior Caminero, Rays (#328)
SS-Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (#205)
OF-Mike Trout, Angels (#350)
OF-Bryan Buxton, Twinsº (#255)
OF-Aaron Judge, Yankeesº (#1)
C-Shea Langeliers, Athletics (#305)
DH-Yordan Alvarez, Astros (#468)

American League Pitchers:

P-Dylan Cease, Blue Jays (#547)
P-Parker Messick, Guardians (#67)
P-Drew Rasmussen, Rays (#64)
P-Joe Ryan, Twins (#54)
P-Cam Schlittler, Yankees (#111)
RP-Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox (#656)
RP-Cade Smith, Guardians (#622)
RP-Louis Varland, Blue Jays
P-Ranger Suarez, Red Soxº (#440, selected by MLB)
P-Michael Wacha, Royals (#190, selected by MLB)
RP-Bryan Baker, Rays (selected by MLB)
RP-Jacob Latz, Rangers (selected by MLB)

P-Nick Martinez, Raysª (replaces Suarez)

P-Justin Verlander, Tigersº (#415, "Legend Pick")

American League Reserves:

1B-Nick Kurtz, Athleticsº (#97)

2B-Travis Bazzana, Guardians
3B-Miguel Vargas, White Sox (#329)
SS-Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (#697b)
OF-Randy Arozarena, Mariners (#431)
OF-Cody Bellinger, Yankees (#607, will start for Judge)
OF-Riley Greene, Tigers (#209, will start for Buxton)
C-Dillon Dingler, Tigers (#351)
DH-Yandy Díaz, Rays (#388)
1B-Ben Rice, Yankees (#133, selected by MLB)

C-Adley Rutschman, Orioles (#358, selected by MLB)

1B-Willson Contreras, Red Soxª (#180 as a Cardinal, replaces Guerrero, Jr.)

1B-Munetaka Murakami, White Soxª (#503, replaces Buxton)

OF-Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Soxª (#101, replaces Judge)

OF-Tristan Peters, White Soxª (#330 as a Ray, replaces Nick Kurtz)

National League Starters:

1B-Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (#700)
2B-Ozzie Albies, Braves (#568)
3B-Max Muncy, Dodgers (#252)
SS-CJ Abrams, Nationals (#152)
OF-Brandon Marsh, Phillies (#335)
OF-Juan Soto, Mets (#660)
OF-Andy Pages, Dodgers (#414)
C-Drake Baldwin, Braves (#692)
DH-Shohei Ohtani, Dodgersº (#200)

National League Pitchers:

P-Chase Burnsº, Reds (#312)

P-Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers* (#10)

P-Chris Sale, Braves (#427)
P-Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies (#325)
P-Paul Skenes, Pirates* (#100)

RP-Jhoan Duran, Phillies (#83)
RP-Raisel Iglesias, Braves (#396)
RP-Mason Miller, Padres (#179)
P-Max Meyer, Marlins* (selected by MLB)

P-Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks (#417, selected by MLB)
P-Logan Webb, Giants (#69, selected by MLB)
P-Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers (#90, selected by MLB)

P-Braxton Ashcraft, Piratesª* (#589, replaces Misiorowski)

P-Jesús Luzardo, Philliesª (#63, replaces Skenes)

RP-Riley O'Brien, Cardinalsº (replaces Meyer)

P-Justin Wrobleski, Dodgersº (#391. replaces Ashcroft)

P-Foster Griffin, Nationalsº (replaces Burns)

National League Reserves:

1B-Matt Olsen, Braves (#39)
2B-Luis Arraez, Giants (#420)
3B-Sal Stewart, Reds (#372)
SS-Otto Lopez, Marlins (#194)
OF-Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (#314)
OF-Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (#196)
OF-James Wood, Nationals (#349)
C-William Contreras, Brewers (#192)
DH-Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (#650, will start for Ohtani)
OF-Jordan Walker, Cardinals (#565, selected by MLB)
C-Hunter Goodman, Rockies (#274, selected by MLB)
1B-Bryce Harper, Phillies (#250, "Legend Pick")

DH-Iván Herrera, Cardinalsª (replaces Ohtani)

º Injured, will not participate

* Sunday Starter, will not participate (Ashcroft pitched Saturday, elected not to participate)
ª Named as replacement

The rosters should consist of 33 active players. The NL is already at that roster limit, the AL is currently at 32. But with VGJ announcing that he will not participate, and Nick Kurtz taking his place, it is only a matter of time before another player will be added to the AL side.

On the binder front, it looks like I'll be missing a few players. Griffin, Herrera, Meyer and O’Brien on the NL side, along with Bazzana, Baker, Latz, Martinez, and Varland on the AL team, do not have cards. McGonigle is a special case as I don't have either the SP or the Factory version of his card...yet. (I'm working on it.) This is why I'm actually kind of miffed that there are no retail team sets this year. At least everyone with a card is pictured with the team they're with currently. Expect all the missing to show up in the Update Series.

As it seems to be the case these past few years, there is a lot of youth on both rosters, as well as a ton of first-time All-Stars to boot (about 26 at last count).

The Cubs have one player on the roster (so far) while the White Sox will send 3 to Philly. With the way rosters fluctuate between now and game day, The Phillies lead the way with 6 players representing the host city. The Dodgers also are sending 6. Braves, and Rays are well represented here, with 5 players from each team on the roster. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Tigers are sending 4 each.

This is just the beginning. If history is an indicator, expect both active rosters to dramatically change by the time July 14 comes. As always, I'll make sure to help you add cards to your All-Star binders by providing card numbers for the players added onto the All-Star teams.

Let's hear the answers to these questions:

Who do you think should have been chosen that wasn't?

Of the players selected, who shouldn't be going to the game?

Were the guys you wanted from your team chosen?

If not, then who should have represented your team?

Let the debates begin.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Time to Talk All-Stars

 

2026 Topps Ernie Clement #505 and Shohei Ohtani #200

The last time I posted regularly about the All-Star Game was in 2016. The fan-voting process was simple: 8 players in the NL, 9 players in the AL would be chosen from a national ballot. The reserves were selected by players and coaches and any extras from the commissioner's office.

Boy have times changed.

In recent years, fan voting would leave to what is akin to a primary. The top 2 players from each position (after adding the DH to the National League) would face off in second round of voting. Which means that the guy who had the number one spot going into round two might not even make the team.

Part of this new deal is that whoever received the most votes in each league, regardless of position, would skip the second-round ballot and are officially on the All-Star Team.

This means that second baseman Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers are both heading to Philadelphia for the July 14, 2026 event.

If starting your own binder (am I the only one??!) to keep tabs of everyone who will be voted in, selected, called up as a replacement (due to availability, injury, etc), pull Clement's #505 card and Ohtani's #200 card (not the #500 one...that's only if he is named a pitcher...which is very possible and has been done in the years I paused blogging).

As more names are added, from the second-round of voting and All-Star selection show, through the announcements of any replacements, I will make sure to note them on the blog, and add their cards (will make sure to include card numbers) to the All-Star binder, which now that I'm thinking about it, will probably bring with me on my trip since the game will be happening while I'm on the road.

Speaking of...

2026 Topps Series 2 All-Star Game Mega Box

This could be a thing now. Just like this year's (and 2025) Topps Series 1 had the Celebration-themed mega boxes, so will Series 2. This one will be tied in with the All-Star Game. However, unlike last year's All-Star Game Mega Boxes, which included a 100-card base set plus 100 insert cards, this year's edition will include base cards of Series 2 with "All-Star Parallels." There is no word on exclusive insert cards in this product, but I just thought to look as I was writing this post...and here we are.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

The 2025 Topps All-Star Rookie Team...Thoughts?

When I was a bit more active on the blog years ago, one of my end-of-the-season focuses was on who would be named to Topps' All-Star Rookie Teams. Even during the hiatus, every time the ASRT was announced, I'd find my way to Wikipedia and update the Topps All-Star Rookie Team pages and add the newly-named players to the article. I think I've added names to the List of Topps All-Star Rookie Teams page since 2009 (the page itself was created in 2006).

Not only have I updated the team roster list, but if a player who was named onto the ASRT was eventually enshrined into Baseball's Hall of Fame, I updated that important list as well. As of today (the announcement for who will be inducted into Baseball's HOF will take place on January 20) there are 37 Hall of Famers who were named to the ASRT, 35 as players, 2 as managers. Jeff Kent, voted in by the Contemporary Baseball Era committee last month, now ranks among this special group.

Back to the point.

In what is probably the latest it was ever announced, on December 30, 2025, Topps named their All-Star Rookie Team:

• Drake Baldwin, C, Atlanta Braves
• Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
• Luke Keaschall, 2B, Minnesota Twins
• Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs
• Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics
• Isaac Collins, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
• Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox
• Jakob Marsee, OF, Miami Marlins
• Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
• Noah Cameron, LHP, Kansas City Royals
• Jack Dreyer, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Agustín Ramírez, DH, Miami Marlins

The team includes both of this year's AL and NL Rookies of the year, Drake Baldwin of the Braves and Nick Kurtz of the Athletics.

2025 Topps Update Series Nick Kurtz #US201 and Drake Baldwin #US87

Of the 12 players named to the team, both Roman Anthony and Jakob Marsee did not appear in any of the flagship sets (Series 1, 2, Update). Even their Topps Now cards had a "Call Up" designation, meaning they will have their rookie cards in 2026 Topps products.

As a Cubs fan, it's great to see both Horton and Shaw make the team, making it two years in a row that the Cubbies had a pair of players named to the ASRT (Michael Busch and Shota Imanaga were last year's duo). 

But what do you think of this year's team? Was there someone who should have been named? I keep hearing Caleb Durbin of the Brewers should have been picked over Shaw, but other than that, it seems that other collectors are happy with the list.

I just want to see what the 2026 design looks like so we can see these players' cards are going to look like with the Rookie Cup trophy. We've seen what the packaging is going to look like, so it's only a matter of time.

That reminds me. I still have an extra base set of the 2005 Topps Rookie Cup set...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Introducing the 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team

The 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Image from MLB Network.

The 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team was announced this morning on MLB Network's Hot Stove program. And there are number of surprises, at least for me.

Congratulations are in order for the 11 players who make up Topps' 58th ASRT. If the player's name is in bold, it means I predicted that they would make the team yesterday).

• 1B: Cody Bellinger, LAD (132 G, 0.267, 39 HR, 97 RBI, 0.933 OPS, 10 SB)
• 2B: Ian Happ, CHC (115 G, 0.253, 24 HR, 68 RBI, 0.842 OPS, 8 SB)
• 3B: Rafael Devers, BOS (58 G, 0.284, 10 HR, 30 RBI, 0.819 OPS, 3 SB)
• SS: Paul DeJong, STL (108 G, 0.285, 26 HR, 65 RBI, 0.857 OPS, 1 SB)
• OF: Andrew Benintendi, BOS (151 G, 0.271, 20 HR, 90 RBI, 0.776 OPS, 20 SB)
• OF: Aaron Judge, NYY (155 G, 0.284, 52 HR, 114 RBI, 1.049 OPS, 9 SB)
• OF: Trey Mancini, BAL (147 G, 0.293, 24 HR, 78 RBI, 0.826 OPS, 1 SB)
• C: Manny Pina, MIL (107 G, 0.279, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 0.751 OPS, 2 SB)
• RHSP: German Marquez, COL (29 GS, 11-7, 4.39 ERA, 147 SO, 1.376 WHIP)
• LHSP: Jordan Montgomery, NYY (29 GS, 9-7, 3.88 ERA, 144 SO, 1.229 WHIP)
• RP: Josh Hader, MIL (35 G, 2-3, 2.08 ERA, 68 SO, 0.986 WHIP, 0 SV)

So I guessed 7 out of now 11 spots correctly, even if I had Bellinger in the outfield and DeJong at second. I had Josh Bell at first, Matt Davidson at third, Dansby Swanson at short, and Wandy Peralta as the reliever. This was a poor showing on my end.

Now my comments.

• Three teams have 2 representatives on the team (Brewers, Red Sox, and Yankees).
• I am happy (pun intended) that the Cubs have some representation this time around with Happ. I had DeJong as my 2B, but Happ could have taken this spot had I thought I could use DeJong at short.
• Topps is showing some consistency with naming three pitchers to the team (two starters, 1 reliever).
• Even though I'm not a White Sox fan, I'm really disappointed that Devers was picked over Davidson. Granted Davidson had a low .222 batting average, but he played a full season. It just shows once again the White Sox don't get much Hobby love.
• Had I thought of putting Bellinger in as my 1B, I would have put Mancini in as the third outfielder.

So congratulations to all. Each player will now get the illustrious rookie cup trophy added to their 2018 Topps cards. I will be going over the results shortly and will announce the winners, if any, soon.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Meet the Possible Contenders for the 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team

The regular season ends this weekend, and it looks like the 10 teams who will head into the post season have already been determined. It's been a couple of years since I last did this, so now that I have a bit more free-time on my hands, why not bring this up again.

After the regular season ends, I'm going to do my annual comparing MLB Debut classes from 20 years ago and this year. I didn't do one last year, and I'm working on it as part of my new "Project: Catching Up to What I Should Have Posted Last Year." But before I start writing last year's comparison post, and preparing for this year's entry, let's talk about who could be getting that illustrious Topps All-Star Rookie Cup added to their eponymous 2018 Topps Card.

Why?

Because...this is a Topps Blog and I want to do it (Ego...)

Because it's the end of the year, and it's worth talking about the players who burst onto the scene this year and will be making an impact in the MLB going into 2018 and beyond. And there are so many possible candidates. Some who should be slam dunks (cough...Judge...cough), others can and will stir debates long after the final out is played in the World Series.

So who are the contenders. Let's review.

Perusing the MLB website, there is a tab that brings up a section called the Top Rookie Tracker. This section features just a handful of the players MLB believes are contenders for either League's Rookie of the Year. And believe it or not, the players on the list they have provided stats for will represent each of the positions Topps uses for their Rookie All-Star team (1b, 2b, 3b, ss, three outfield, c, rhp, lhp, and relief pitcher...ahem...will explain this in a minute).

I used to say that the 30 MLB managers will be the ones voting for the team. I was told a while back that it is no longer the case. And while the person I talked to about this wasn't sure when the practice of asking the managers to vote stopped, based on the past few years' worth of rosters, I can only speculate when the change occurred.

The stats are as the end of the games on Wednesday, September 27, 2017:

First Basemen:

Jesus Aguilar, MIL (130 G, 0.263, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 0.827 OPS, 0 SB)
Josh Bell, PIT (155 G, 0.256, 25 HR, 87 RBI, 0.801 OPS, 2 SB)
Trey Mancini, BAL (144 G, 0.294, 24 HR, 78 RBI, 0.830 OPS, 1 SB)
Matt Olson, OAK (59 G, 0.259, 24 HR, 45 RBI, 1.003 OPS, 0 SB)
T.J. Rivera, NYM (73 G, 0.29, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 0.760 OPS, 1 SB)

Second Basemen:
Ozzie Albies, ATL (53 G, 0.281, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 0.803 OPS, 7 SB)
Carlos Asuaje, SD (86 G, 0.268, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 0.695 OPS, 0 SB)
Paul DeJong, STL (104 G, 0.282, 24 HR, 62 RBI, 0.846 OPS, 1 SB)
Yoan Moncada, CWS (50 G, 0.232, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 0.761 OPS, 3 SB)
Chad Pinder, OAK (87 G, 0.238, 15 HR, 42 RBI, 0.750 OPS, 2 SB)

Third Basemen:
Matt Chapman, OAK (80 G, 0.229, 13 HR, 36 RBI, 0.769 OPS, 0 SB)
Johan Camargo, ATL (80 G, 0.297, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 0.781 OPS, 0 SB)
Matt Davidson, CWS (115 G, 0.221, 26 HR, 68 RBI, 0.721 OPS, 0 SB)
Rafael Devers, BOS (54 G, 0.291, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 0.839 OPS, 3 SB)
Yuli Gurriel, HOU (135 G, 0.297, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 0.816 OPS, 3 SB)

Shortstops:
Amed Rosario, NYM (43 G, 0.263, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 0.701 OPS, 7 SB)
Dansby Swanson, ATL (140 G, 0.231, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 0.642 OPS, 3 SB)
Pat Valaika, COL (108 G, 0.261, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 0.833 OPS, 0 SB)

Outfielders:
Cody Bellinger, LAD (129 G, 0.269, 39 HR, 96 RBI, 0.942 OPS, 10 SB)
Andrew Benintendi, BOS (148 G, 0.275, 20 HR, 89 RBI, 0.788 OPS, 19 SB)
Jorge Bonifacio, KC (111 G, 0.252, 16 HR, 37 RBI, 0.742 OPS, 1 SB)
Nick Delmonico, CWS (41 G, 0.267, 9 HR, 23 RBI, 0.874 OPS, 2 SB)
Clint Frazier, NYY (38 G, 0.237, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 0.731 OPS, 1 SB)
Ben Gamel, SEA (131 G, 0.28, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 0.747 OPS, 4 SB)
Brian Goodwin, WSH (74 G, 0.251, 13 HR, 30 RBI, 0.811 OPS, 6 SB)
Mitch Haniger, SEA (93 G, 0.276, 16 HR, 47 RBI, 0.831 OPS, 5 SB)
Ian Happ, CHC (111 G, 0.253, 22 HR, 63 RBI, 0.832 OPS, 8 SB)
Guillermo Heredia, SEA (123 G, 0.249, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 0.652 OPS, 1 SB)
Rhys Hoskins, PHI (47 G, 0.266, 18 HR, 47 RBI, 1.056 OPS, 1 SB)
Aaron Judge, NYY (152 G, 0.284, 50 HR, 111 RBI, 1.043 OPS, 9 SB)
Manuel Margot, SD (124 G, 0.267, 13 HR, 39 RBI, 0.733 OPS, 17 SB)
Jose Martinez, STL (102 G, 0.308, 13 HR, 42 RBI, 0.888 OPS, 4 SB)
Brandon Nimmo, NYM (66 G, 0.273, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 0.820 OPS, 2 SB)
Jose Osuna, PIT (102 G, 0.235, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 0.703 OPS, 0 SB)
Hunter Renfroe, SD (119 G, 0.231, 25 HR, 57 RBI, 0.751 OPS, 3 SB)
Nick Williams, PHI (80 G, 0.283, 11 HR, 52 RBI, 0.801 OPS, 1 SB)
Jesse Winker, CIN (44 G, 0.292, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 0.901 OPS, 1 SB)
Bradley Zimmer, CLE (101 G, 0.241, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 0.692 OPS, 18 SB)

Catchers:
Manny Pina, MIL (107 G, 0.279, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 0.751 OPS, 2 SB)

Right-Handed Starting Pitchers:
Parker Bridwell, LAA (19 GS, 9-3, 3.87 ERA, 70 SO, 1.237 WHIP)
Luis Castillo, CIN (15 GS, 3-7, 3.12 ERA, 98 SO, 1.075 WHIP)
Jharel Cotton, OAK (24 GS, 9-10, 5.58 ERA, 105 SO, 1.442 WHIP)
Jake Faria, TB (13 GS, 5-4, 3.33 ERA, 82 SO, 1.147 WHIP)
Carson Fulmer, CWS (4 GS, 2-1, 4.42 ERA, 17 SO, 1.309 WHIP)
Sam Gaviglio, KC (13 GS, 4-5, 4.30 ERA, 49 SO, 1.350 WHIP)
Lucas Giolito, CWS (7 GS, 3-3, 2.38 ERA, 34 SO, 0.949 WHIP)
Robert Gsellman, NYM (22 GS, 8-7, 5.19 ERA, 82 SO, 1.504 WHIP)
Jeff Hoffman, COL (16 GS, 6-5, 5.71 ERA, 81 SO, 1.423 WHIP)
Jakob Junis, KC (15 GS, 8-3, 4.39 ERA, 75 SO, 1.289 WHIP)
Dinelson Lamet, SD (21 GS, 7-8, 4.57 ERA, 139 SO, 1.242 WHIP)
Mark Leiter, PHI (11 GS, 3-6, 4.96 ERA, 84 SO, 1.335 WHIP)
German Marquez, COL (28 GS, 11-7, 4.38 ERA, 145 SO, 1.385 WHIP)
Alex Meyer, LAA (13 GS, 4-5, 3.74 ERA, 75 SO, 1.337 WHIP)
Nick Pivetta, PHI (25 GS, 7-10, 6.26 ERA, 133 SO, 1.516 WHIP)
Antonio Senzatela, COL (20 GS, 10-5, 4.65 ERA, 101 SO, 1.287 WHIP)
Trevor Williams, PIT (25 GS, 7-9, 4.07 ERA, 117 SO, 1.310 WHIP)

Left-Handed Starting Pitchers:
Ty Blach, SF (24 GS, 8-12, 4.84 ERA, 72 SO, 1.367 WHIP)
Kyle Freeland, COL (27 GS, 11-10, 4.06 ERA, 107 SO, 1.477 WHIP)
Adalberto Mejia, MIN (21 GS, 4-7, 4.50 ERA, 85 SO, 1.571 WHIP)
Jordan Montgomery, NYY (28 GS, 9-7, 3.96 ERA, 141 SO, 1.253 WHIP)
Sean Newcomb, ATL (19 GS, 4-9, 4.32 ERA, 108 SO, 1.57 WHIP)

Right-Handed Relief Pitchers:
John Brebbia, STL (47 G, 0-0, 2.59 ERA, 48 SO, 0.945 WHIP, 0 SV)
Jonathan Holder, NYY (36 G, 1-1, 3.43 ERA, 40 SO, 1.297 WHIP, 0 SV)
Jose Leclerc, TEX (47 G, 2-3, 3.94 ERA, 60 SO, 1.38 WHIP, 2 SV)
Austin Pruitt, TB (30 G, 7-5, 5.31 ERA, 66 SO, 1.506 WHIP, 1 SV)
Jarlin Garcia, MIA (66 G, 1-2, 4.85 ERA, 41 SO, 1.173 WHIP, 0 SV)
James Pazos, SEA (57 G, 4-5, 3.54 ERA, 64 SO, 1.350 WHIP, 0 SV)
Wandy Peralta, CIN (67 G, 3-4, 3.88 ERA, 54 SO, 1.197 WHIP, 0 SV)
Jose Torres, SD (61 G, 7-4, 4.28 ERA, 63 SO, 1.144 WHIP, 1 SV)

If you're wondering why I separated the starting pitchers from the relief pitchers, and then if they are right handed or left handed, allow me to explain (conspiracy theory time folks...get something to drink, this may take a while).

As you all know, Topps instituted what I am calling the "Stephen Strasburg" rule in 2010. Somehow, Strasburg was added to the ASRT even though he only pitched in 12 games. Now, Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher. But so was Neftali Feliz, who at the time was the star closer for the Rangers, and a player many people believed should have been named onto the team as the RHP. In past years, it didn't matter if a pitcher was a starter or a reliever, only ONE RHP or ONE LHP was chosen for the team (of course there were exceptions…tie votes came into play).

So what does Topps do? For the 2010 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, they added a relief pitcher spot. This ensured not only Feliz' spot on the team, but gave Topps justification to include their poster boy Strasburg.

Then in 2011, instead of continuing the trend of having three pitchers (a RHP, a LHP, and a RP), Topps went back to the two-pitcher format, but instead of it being a RHP and LHP as in years past, the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie Team included just one Starting Pitcher and one Relief pitcher. In 2012, Topps went back to a "three-person pitching staff" which included a Starting RHP, a starting LHP, and one reliever. This was done again in 2013, and has been the "norm" ever since.

In past years, this blog has done a contest where the object is to outguess me in choosing the Rookie Teams. The Grand Prize, if a contestant correctly guessed all the members of said team, was a complete 150 card set of 2005 Topps Rookie Cup (appropriate, no?). Anyway, while few have come close, none have won the grand prize. Those who did guess more players correctly than I did would win a pack of that year's Updates and Highlights/Update Series.

Well, why not bring that back as well??! It's the only contest/giveaway attempt I really do around here, and I still have the now eleven year old set in my possession.

So take a look at the list above, send me an e-mail (bdj610@hotmail.com) with your picks by Sunday, October 29, 2017. You can pick the following (11 players total):

• One player each for 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, C,
• Three players for OF,
• One Starting RHP, Starting LHP, Relief RHP.

On Monday, October 30, 2017, I will make my selections and then we will all wait together until the formal announcements have been made. If you out guess me, let's say I guess seven of the 10 or 11 spots correctly, and you guess eight or more, then you automatically win a Hobby pack of 2017 Topps Update Series. If you guess all the players correctly (if there are ten or eleven, who knows), then you will be entered into a drawing to win the 2005 Topps Rookie Card base set (Beckett Value $20.00 - $40.00). It's that easy. While there are certainly going to be some slam dunks (cough...Bellinger...cough), the field for other players are definitely wide open, so anything goes.

So here's to hopefully many entries by October 29 . Good luck.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

And Now, Your Starting Lineups...

As announced at All-Star Media Day:

For the National League:

1. Ben Zobrist, CHC, 2b
2. Bryce Harper, WAS, rf
3. Kris Bryant, CHC, 3b
4. Wil Myers, SDP, dh
5. Buster Posey, SFG, c
6. Anthony Rizzo, CHC, dh
7. Marcell Ozuna, MIA, cf
8. Carlos Gonzalez, COL, lf
9. Addison Russell, CHC, ss

And the American League:

1. Jose Altuve, HOU, 2b
2. Mike Trout, LAA, cf
3. Manny Machado, BAL, 3b
4. David Ortiz, BOS, dh
5. Xander Bogaerts, BOS, ss
6. Eric Hosmer, KCR, 1b
7. Mookie Betts, BOS, rf
8. Salvador Perez, KCR, c
9. Jackie Bradley, Jr., BOS, rf

The starting pitchers for the 87th ASG are Johnny Cueto of the Giants and Chris Sale of the White Sox.

Enjoy the game everyone.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Quintana Replaces Salazar on AL ASG Roster

On Sunday, it was announced that Indians All-Star pitcher Danny Salazar is dealing with mild elbow discomfort. While it's not bad enough that he has to be placed on the disabled list, it was decided that he should rest instead of participate in the All-Star Game. So while he will still most likely make the trip to San Diego, someone will have to take Salazar's spot on the roster.

It was announced today, as Chris Sale was getting his All-Star jersey, and Todd Frazier was getting one as well because he's heading to SD to defend his Home Run Derby title, that pitcher Jose Quintana of the White Sox will be taking Salazar's place on the All-Star Team roster.

Quintana is having a great year for the Pale Hose, although his 7-8 record doesn't show it. He has a 3.21 ERA, 105 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP (good for sixth place on the leaderboard) in 117.2 innings pitched. This will mark his first trip to the All-Star Game.

So add Quintana's #582 card or his CWS-10 retail team card to your binder. Will there be more players added? Who knows at this point. Stranger things have happened. Stay tuned.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2016 Topps Pro Debut at the Futures Game

The All-Star festivities are now in full swing and the highlight of this first day's events is the annual Futures Game.

Since the first Futures Game in 1999, more than 120 players who were named to either the US or World rosters have become MLB All-Stars, with many of them are participating in this year's All-Star Game. Twenty-seven players on last year's roster have already played in the majors.

Back to the point.

Today, the best minor leaguers from the United States take on the best prospects from around the world (Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Lithuania, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Virgin Islands...and there was one player from South Africa who was originally selected, but is now injured). Of the 54 players (50 on active rosters, plus 4 selected players who were replaced due to injury, a MLB call-up, or suspension) who were named to either team, 26 of them appear in the 2016 Topps Pro Debut set. Who made the cut?

From Team USA:

• Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox (#152)
• Phil Bickford, P, Giants (#69)
• Alex Bregman, IF, Astros (#142)
• Willie Calhoun, IF, Dodgers (#192)
• David Dahl, OF, Rockies (#60)
• Clint Frazier, OF, Indians (#123)
• Carson Fulmer, P, White Sox (#147)
• Amir Garrett, P, Reds (#107)
• Jeff Hoffman, P, Rockies (#29)
• Austin Meadows, OF, Pirates (#49, injured)
• Hunter Renfroe, OF, Padres (#159)
• Dominic Smith, IF, Mets (#148)
• Christin Stewart, OF, Tigers (#61)
• Dansby Swanson, IF, Braves (#1)

From Team World:

• Willy Adames, IF, Rays (#22)
• Jharel Cotton, P, Dodgers (#118)
• Yandy Diaz, IF, Indians (#31)
• Eloy Jimenez, OF, Cubs (#44)
• Reynaldo Lopez, P, Nationals (#112)
• Manuel Margot, OF, Padres (#63)
• Jorge Mateo, IF, Yankees (#39, suspended)
• Josh Naylor, IF, Marlins (#172)
• Tyler O'Neill, OF, Mariners (#189)
• Alex Reyes, P, Cardinals (#151)
• Amed Rosario, IF, Mets (#96)
  
• Raimel Tapia, OF, Rockies (#136)

This is a prospector's dream with many ready to sell if their guy has a breakout game. Team USA has won the last five Futures Games, and own a 11-6 record over their World counterparts. With many of these players ranked in their respective team's top 30 prospect list, this won't be the last we hear from any of them.

Let the games begin.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Sanchez Replaces Kimbrel on AL ASG Roster

With Craig Kimbrel of the Boston Red Sox placed on the DL with a "left knee medial meniscus tear," he will be out of commission for about 3-6 weeks. While he's gone, the Red Sox made a deal with the Diamondbacks, getting closer Brad Ziegler in exchange for some prospects.

But while the Red Sox has taken care of their needs, who Ned Yost, with the help of MLB, name to take care of Kimbrel's spot on the roster?

Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez will take Kimbrel's spot on the American League All-Star team. Sanchez, in his first year as a starting pitcher and another first-time All-Star under the age of 26 (he's 24 folks, feel old yet?), heads into the break with a 9-1 record, a 2.97 ERA, 103 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.19 in 118.1 innings of work.

With Sanchez going to San Diego, the Blue Jays contingency grows to five. He joins Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Final-Man Michael Saunders, and pitcher Marco Estrada on the AL team.

Take out your binder and add Sanchez' #113 card from the main set, or his TBJ-12 card from the 17-card retail set to it.

Wow, I've posted more today than I have in the past three months. Maybe I'll make it a habit.

Stay tuned for more All-Star team roster updates as they happen.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Syndergaard, Cespedes, and Fowler are out of the ASG. Pomeranz, Marte, and Bruce are Named Replacements

Last night was not a good one for the Mets. Both of the players who were announced as All-Stars on Tuesday were taken out of the game against the Nationals. Noah Syndergaard (arm fatigue) and Yoenis Cespedes (right quad strain) will not be able to participate in the game on Tuesday.

In the meantime, Dexter Fowler of the Cubs has been on the DL since late June (right around the time of the Cubs' recent struggles). He had been hoping to be re-activated in time for the ASG, but it looks like it was decided that he take the break off as well. All three players will probably participate in the festivities, lining up alongside their fellow All-Stars.

Both Cespedes and Fowler were voted onto the All-Star team as starting outfielders. Now that both aren't able to play, Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins and Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies will take their places in the starting lineup. But who takes their places, along with Thor's, on the active roster?

With the help of MLB, Terry Collins has tabbed Starling Marte of the Pirates, a Final Man candidate, and Jay Bruce of the Reds as replacements for Cespedes and Fowler respectively, while Padres pitcher Drew Pomeranz will take Syndergaard's spot on the roster.

Marte, who finished an extremely close second in the Final Man voting, heads to San Diego with a (as of this writing) .316 average, with 6 home runs, 32 rbi's, 27 stolen bases, and a slash line of .360/.463/.822. A first-time All-Star, he joins closer Marc Melancon as the Buc's representatives on the NL squad.

Bruce, now a third-time All-Star, heads into today's action with a .265 average, 18 homers, 62 rbi's (third in the NL), 46 runs scored and OBP/SLG/OPS numbers .313/.539/.852. He joins fellow Reds outfielder Adam Duvall on the team.

Pomeranz will take the field as the host team's second All-Star, joining first baseman Wil Myers in welcoming the best in the game to "America's Greatest City." He comes into the break with a career high in wins (8-7 record), along with a 2.47 ERA, 115 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.01.

If you've been following along with me and adding cards to your All-Star binder, you should already have Marte's #83 or PPI-7 cards already out. Get Bruce's #199 or CR-8 cards and add them to the binder. If you're looking for cards of Drew Pomeranz? He's now the ninth player named to either All-Star team without a card either in the eponymous set or any retail team set. (He does have a Topps Heritage card - #336 - so it's up to you if you want to use it).

Now Craig Kimbrel of the Red Sox has been placed on the DL and will be out of action for about 3-6 weeks. While the Red Sox found a replacement for him by trading for D-Backs closer Brad Ziegler, the AL All-Star team has yet to announce who'll take his place on the roster. So stay tuned for more details to come.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Saunders and Belt win the Final Man Vote!!!

On Tuesday night, after the All-Star rosters were announced, fans were given the opportunity to add two more players to each of the league's All-Star Teams via the Final Man Vote. Seventy-two hours later, millions of votes were tallied. MLB Network even had an actual political analyst discussing up-to-the-minute vote totals and trends. While I have yet to find the complete number of votes tallied this time around, in the end, Michael Saunders of the Blue Jays and Brandon Belt of the Giants were added to their respective All-Star teams after winning the Final Man Vote.

Michael Saunders, aka "Captain Canada", had the support of almost the entire country (guess which one), and by the end of the day, earned an astounding 17.7 million votes, earning more votes than outfielder George Springer of the Astros, second baseman Ian Kinsler of the Tigers, second baseman Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, and third baseman Evan Longoria of the Rays.

Going into Friday morning, Brandon Belt was still in second place in the five-man NL ballot. But when the final votes were counted, his 10.4 million votes were more than enough to hold off the rest of the field, including Pirates outfielder Starling Marte, rookie sensation Trevor Story of the Rockies, the Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb, and perennial All-Star Ryan Braun of the Brewers.

Saunders, a first-time All-Star, is the fourth Blue Jay player named to this year's AL All-Star Team and the second in four years to win the Final Man Ballot (Steve Delabar-2013). He makes the trip to San Diego with fellow Jays Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, and Marco Estrada.

Belt, also a first-time All-Star, is the first Giants player to win the Final Man Ballot and the fourth Giant making the trip south to Petco Park along with Buster Posey, Johnny Cueto, and Madison Bumgarner.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Strasburg and Bumgarner out of the ASG, Scherzer and Colon Named Replacements.

Another round of player replacements were named yesterday as both Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals and Madison Bumgarner of the Giants will not be participating in next Tuesday's All-Star Game. Both pitchers are fine.

Strasburg pitched last night, becoming the first NL pitcher to notch a 12-0 record to start a season since 1912. And even though Strasburg made the NL All-Star Team, he and general manager Mike Rizzo "mutually agreed that Strasburg would not pitch in the Midsummer Classic after going through an upper back strain a few weeks ago."

While Strasburg will still take in the festivities (he is a San Diego native and attended San Diego State University), teammate Max Scherzer will take his spot on the roster.

Scherzer is also having a fine season for the Nationals, with a 9-6 record, a 3.21 ERA in 18 starts this year. He also has 155 strikeouts, a 0.97 WHIP, and a BAA of .195. He joins a growing Nationals contingent that includes second baseman Daniel Murphy, outfielder Bryce Harper, and catcher Wilson Ramos.

On the other hand, Madison Bumgarner is scheduled to pitch on Sunday. Because of that Sunday starter rule, he could either be replaced on the roster by another pitcher, or he could choose to participate, but possibly be put on an extremely strict pitch count. Bumgarner decided against pitching in the game on short rest, so Terry Collins tabbed Bartolo Colon, the elder statesman of his starting rotation, as his replacement.

The 43-year old Colon, now a 4-time all-star, sports a 7-4 record, a 3.28 ERA. and 65 strikeouts in 17 starts. He has been a steady presence on a Mets rotation that, while full of young arms, have had a bit of growing pains. It will be his first All-Star Game trip since 2013. He joins (? - I'll get to this in a minute) fellow pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Jeurys Familia, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, his manager, and the rest of the Mets coaching staff to San Diego.

So add Scherzer's card #'s 209 or WN-9 and Colon's card #'s 381 or NYM-16 to your binders (I'm trying to help here...)

To the (?) part of the program. In last night's ballgame against the Nationals (you know, that 12th win for Strasburg), both Syndergaard and Cespedes were taken out because of possible injuries (arm fatigue, right quad strain respectively). Get ready for more All-Stars making the trip to San Diego before Tuesday.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Diaz Replaces Carpenter on NL ASG Roster

2015 Springfield Cardinals Grandstand #3 Aledmys Diaz

In last night's game against the Pirates, Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter strained an oblique muscle as he was trying to check his swing during his at-bat in the third inning. He suffered a similar injury back in 2012, and the MRI results indicated that he would have to be placed on the DL to recover. He is the fourth Cardinal to be placed on the DL this week alone.

Even though Carpenter was the only Cardinal named onto the NL All-Star team, Terry Collins could pick anyone from any other team to take his place. But he made sure that a player from the St. Louis team would have some representation on the active roster.

Aledmys Diaz, the Cardinals' rookie shortstop, was named as Carpenter's replacement. His credentials include a .319 average, 12 home runs, 44 runs batted in, 54 runs scored and a slash line of .382/.534/.916 (that would be OBP/SLG/OPS). He is among the league leaders in batting average, runs scored, and doubles.

The 25-year-old now joins the swelling ranks of first-time All-Stars, and players aged 26-younger attending with full All-Star honors.

If you're looking for any Aledmys Diaz cards to add to your roster, you're out of luck. He presently has three minor league cards, all regional releases. No Topps cards to speak of, not even on the retail end. So attached is his 2015 minor league card.

Stay tuned for more All-Star team roster updates as they happen.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama