HOUSTON -- Mauricio Dubón won't be voted to start the All-Star Game this year. Far from it. A utility player, Dubón ranked 14th among American League outfielders with 343,772 votes in the latest fan-voting totals released Monday. Only the top six outfielders will advance to Phase 2 of voting, which begins Sunday. Dubón entered the Astros' game against the Rockies on Wednesday hitting .292 with three homers and 27 RBIs, which aren't eye-opening numbers by any means. But his value goes beyond that because of his ability to play all over the field. He's the first Astros player to start at seven positions -- every spot but catcher and pitcher -- this season. Astros manager Joe Espada said there should be a spot on the ballot for a utility player like Dubón, just like a utility Gold Glove Award was added in 2022 (Dubón won the award at the utility spot in '23). "I think those players are super valuable and I think a lot of times they go unnoticed for what they mean," Espada said. "I think there is a spot for an All-Star, and it should be used like that in an All-Star Game, where he goes and plays multiple positions and shows the versatility." This year marks Dubón's first time on the All-Star Ballot, which in itself is an honor for him. As the only player in the Major Leagues from Honduras, Dubón said he has an entire country voting for him. "I got a good amount of votes so far, but nowhere near some of the guys," Dubón said. "It feels pretty good having people backing you up." |
Dubón agreed with his manager's opinion that there should be a spot for utility players on the ballot. "Make it happen," Dubón said, "We're valuable in the sense we should be shown in the All-Star Game, too." The Astros acquired Dubón, 29, in a trade with the Giants in May 2022 that will go down as one of their best (they sent catcher Michael Papierski to San Francisco). Dubón hit .214 as part of the Astros' World Series cast in 2022. He proved his value last year by opening the season as the starting second baseman for an injured Jose Altuve. Dubón slashed .278/.309/.411 with 10 homers and 46 RBIs in the regular season last year, including a 20-game hitting streak. He then hit .320 in the playoffs. This year, he's started 17 games in left field, 14 in center, seven at first base, three each at second base, third base and right field, and two at shortstop. "It's pretty crazy," Dubón said. "Having a different glove, it's pretty cool. But at the same time, as long as it gets you on the field, I'm good about it. … The days I don't play are the hardest days, because I have to get ready [to play] all seven." Dubón hasn't ruled out being selected as a reserve. The pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 23 players for each side -- will be determined via "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by the Commissioner's Office. The complete All-Star rosters will be announced at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN on Sunday, July 7. "I think that would be a dream come true," Dubón said. "You always dream of playing in the All-Star Game, and if it ends up happening, I'll be excited about it. I want to join the guys and be able to show the world that I'm here." |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
|
|
ALTUVE, ALVAREZ, TUCKER POISED FOR PHASE 2 |
As Phase 1 of voting for the 2024 MLB All-Star Ballot comes to a close at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, the Astros have three players -- Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker -- in position to advance to Phase 2. Altuve, an eight-time All-Star, led AL second basemen with 1,233,299 votes; Alvarez, an All-Star reserve in 2022-23, led the voting at DH with 963,519 votes; and Tucker, an All-Star in 2022-23, was third among AL outfielders with 1,002,803 votes, trailing Aaron Judge and Juan Soto of the Yankees. The top two players at each position (and the top six outfielders) will advance to Phase 2 of voting with a chance to start the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Phase 1 vote totals will not carry over to Phase 2 voting, which begins at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday and continues until 11 a.m. CT on July 3. |
|
|
The final out of the Astros' sweep of the Orioles on Sunday was recorded by pitcher Luis Contreras, who embraced catcher César Salazar with a heartfelt hug. The previous three outs for Houston were recorded by pitcher Bryan King, who, like Contreras, was making his Major League debut. "Sally told me, 'Bro, could you imagine I catch your first game?' and it happened that day," Contreras said. "I had all this family texting me and they said, 'That hug right there was from all the people that are far from you and tried to hug you, and he did it for us.' It was a special moment." Both King and Contreras took long and winding roads to the Major Leagues, overcoming injuries along the way. That made Sunday even more meaningful. "It was incredible," said King, who struck out Gunnar Henderson to begin his perfect seven-pitch outing. "It's been a long road to get here. I'm grateful my family was there. That was the most special moment." King, 27, was a 30th-round pick of the Cubs in the 2019 MLB Draft and was taken by the Astros in the Minor League phase for the 2022 Rule 5 Draft. He missed the 2023 season following Tommy John surgery. King had a 1.87 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 31 outings at Triple-A Sugar Land. "On the run out from the bullpen, I kept my head down and was ready to get after it," King said. Contreras, 28, who's from Venezuela, signed with the Cubs in 2015 at 19 years old and was released without pitching in a game due an injury. He bounced around, playing in the independent Empire Baseball League in New York in 2018 and the independent United Shore League in Michigan before the Brewers signed him in 2019. Contreras was a free agent when Houston signed him last November. "You've got to keep fighting and not give up, and that's been my mantra," Contreras said. |
|
|
FORWARDED FROM A FRIEND? SUBSCRIBE NOW |
|
|
To subscribe to Astros Beat, visit this page and mark "Astros Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Astros or that they're checked as your favorite team. |
|
|
© 2024 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.
Please review our Privacy Policy.
You (gahleexholly.hdhask@blogger.com) received this message because you registered to receive commercial email messages or purchased a ticket from MLB.
Please add info@marketing.mlbemail.com to your address book to ensure our messages reach your inbox. If you no longer wish to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com, please unsubscribe or log in and manage your email subscriptions.
Postal Address: MLB.com, c/o MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
|
|
|
|
