A pair of reserve players at third base have already been selected to join the American League All-Star team next week in Texas, but there's another option with a strong argument and a place to live nearby.
Josh Smith has been batting over .300 for the past two months and ranks in the top 30 in baseball in batting average (.292), OPS (.829) and doubles (19), which is second in the AL.
He has the versatility to play various infield positions, having played 22 of his 82 games at shortstop and the remainder at the hot corner.
Unfortunately for Smith, 26, that spot is pretty full on the AL roster. Rafael Devers (Red Sox) and Isaac Paredes (Rays) are in as reserves behind American League starter Jose Ramirez (Guardians).
Smith helped rescue the Rangers without Josh Jung in the first half, but they may not get the Midsummer Classic home game in Texas they deserve.
Smith has one big factor working in his favor: AL manager Bruce Bochy also manages the Rangers and will help in making decisions if a replacement is needed due to an injury.
Here are other uninvited All-Stars who deserve consideration:
RHP Ronel Blanco, Astros
April 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Speaking of defenses, what would Houston have been like without Blanco's unexpectedly dominant first half? The 30-year-old came to prominence with a breakout no-hitter and has an 8-3 record. He's also in the top eight in the American League in ERA (2.53) and WHIP (1.01). Nine of the 16 starts were quality starts, and the Astros have won 12 of the games Blanco started.
OF Willi Castro, Twins
April 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Willi Castro (50) lifts his bat as he watches his three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Target Field. Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports At a position loaded with star power, Castro is a perfect fit for a Minnesota club that has just one All-Star before injury replacements are added. Castro has 22 doubles, seven home runs and 54 runs batted in and could be a solid option for pinch-runner duty in the late innings with some impressive speed stats: five triples and 10 steals.
RHP Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles
April 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (30) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Credit: Charles LeClair-USA TODAY Sports We understand; Baltimore has talent. But Rodriguez has the lead in the American League with 11 wins, and the Orioles only selected three players from their richly talented roster.
“I want to say a few things,” Rodriguez said after another strong start on Sunday in Baltimore's 6-3 win over Seattle. “But I can't.”
Rodriguez isn't the only member of the Baltimore revival who's been left out in the cold. Anthony Santander has 23 home runs, closer Craig Kimbrel has posted a 2.10 ERA and 13.5 Ks over 9 innings, and another AL third baseman, Jordan Westburg, is posting numbers worthy of MVP consideration (39 extra-base hits, 49 RBIs) if he wasn't playing next to Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
DH Brent Rooker, Athletics
July 2, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (25) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports Speaking of late-game spot sub candidates, Rooker could be considered a batter off the bench depending on lineup needs if injuries occur this week. Rooker has 18 home runs and 54 RBIs and isn't afraid to take pitches. His on-base percentage is .353 and he's been hitting the ball at the right time with 10 hits (three home runs) in 20 at-bats over his last six games.
1B Christian Walker, Diamondbacks
June 13, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first base Christian Walker (53) runs to the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports With 22 home runs and the current injury tear that has ravaged the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff over the past week, Walker is one of the most glaring misses in the National League. He's no newcomer to the field, having hit 69 home runs combined in the two seasons before 2024, and he brings Gold Glove defense as well.
SS Masyn Winn, Cardinals
June 3, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masien Winn (0) is safe with an infield single while Houston Astros first baseman John Singleton (28) fields a throw during the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Closer Ryan Helsley and his MLB-most 31 saves deserved the ticket to Texas, but Winn is having an All-Star season and is contributing to the Cardinals staying in the NL Central.
Winn, a standout fielder from Kingwood, Texas, performed well last week, batting .387 in seven games during which he had an on-base percentage of .457, and would have enjoyed being back home during the holiday break.
