Chicago Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras is on the verge of starting his third All-Star Game.
And if Contreras has his way, he won’t be the only Cubs player to head to Dodger Stadium in less than three weeks.
Contreras is an All-Star Game finalist among National League catchers, the league announced Thursday, after finishing with the most votes in his place during Phase 1 of the process. Contreras is up against Travis D’Arnaud of the Atlanta Braves in the next round of voting to determine who will start for the NL on July 19. The next voting phase runs from Tuesday to Friday. The start will be announced on July 8th while the rest of the All-Star Game roster will be revealed on July 10th at 4:30PM.
Third baseman Patrick Wisdom (7th), shortstop Nico Horner (10th) and Ian Happ (14th) were among the top vote-getters in their respective positions.
Wisdom went 3-for-6 at Wrigley Field on Thursday against the Reds, scoring two home runs – including a Grand Slam – and scoring six runs in the Cubs’ 15-7 route. Rookie Christopher Morrell went 5-for-5 with a home run, scored three runs and went in for two, and Narciso Kruk hit two in his major league debut as the Cubs took two of three in the series.
This would represent Contreras’ third All-Star Game (2018, 2019) he would have started. Notably, Contreras would become just the fourth player in Cubs history with at least three fan polls, including Ryan Sandberg (nine), Sammy Sosa (five) and Andre Dawson (four). In 66 games that entered Thursday, Contreras had a .280/.394/.519 slash line with 13 home runs, 16 doubles, 154 OPS+ and 3.1 battles.
“When you start an All-Star game, it makes you feel good,” Contreras, 30, said before the game. “At the same time, it means you’re making progress in every area in baseball, not just hitting, but defensively. It takes a whole team to prove themselves.”
The honor may be doubly special for Contreras, beyond that possibly his last All-Star game with the Cubs. His younger brother, William, is also a finalist for the NL designated hitter, going against the Philadelphia Phillies, reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, in the upcoming round of voting. However, Harper suffered a fracture in his left thumb this week and had surgery, which would require him to replace him when he makes the team.
However, Contreras doesn’t want to look too far ahead.
“Hopefully he makes it there,” Contreras said. “I’m not thinking about it because a lot of things can change from now on. But if we can make it together, I’m really sure we’ll both enjoy it a lot, and my family will be really proud.” And we would like to enjoy it.”
Contreras was using his social media presence to help garner enough fan support to vote for Happ. But with Phase 1 voting complete, Happ’s path to the All-Star Game must now come from MLB player ballot choices, made by the selection commissioner’s office or in the form of an injury replacement.
Contreras believes that Happ did not get the fan votes as he is known compared to few other outfielders outside Chicago. The NL Outfield Finals feature Mookie Bates, Jock Pedersen, Starling Marte and Adam Duvall.
“If you look at his stats, he’s doing everything,” Contreras said. “His name might not be that big, but his stats are big. As a human this is one thing you need to see and the work he has done this year is impressive. I know 100% that he deserves to be there.
“If we looked at the statistics and who deserves to be there, that’s one of them.”
Happ, who went 2-for-3 on Thursday, appreciates the support of his teammate Contreras over the past six years.
“The relationship that you get to play with someone for a long time, I try not to take lightly the little moments that we’ve spent all these years,” Happ told the Tribune on Thursday. ” “And then how much it means to you to root out that guy when he’s successful, I think it’s a really special bond to you. I’m so proud of what he’s done.”
This time a year ago, in the midst of a disappointing first half, it would be hard to imagine Happ being a contender for making the All-Star team. But he has been the Cubs’ most valuable player in 2022 behind Contreras. Hap entered on Thursday and led the team in hits and equalized for most of the RBI. He’s given the Cubs much-needed offensive stability, hitting .275 and .377 on-base percentages, both career-highs, entering 133 ops+ and 2.3 combat Thursdays.
Happ told the Tribune, “What it means to me is going through the first half of last year, feeling like I’ve really made all that progress[in the second half]really well.” Is.”
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