LeMahieu's season has been All-Star-caliber
DENVER -- Walt Weiss doesn't expect National League All-Star manager Bruce Bochy to ask for help on selecting this year's roster. But on the off chance he does, the Rockies manager already has his first talking point.
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"I've never had another [All-Star] manager call me, but I'd be happy to talk to him about DJ," Weiss said.
That would be the Rockies' DJ LeMahieu, who's at or near the top of many offensive categories among NL second basemen. Those numbers, though, haven't translated into All-Star fan votes. LeMahieu isn't even in the top-5 at his position after Tuesday's update.
But that hasn't stopped Weiss from making his pitch for LeMahieu to receive a mid-July invite to Cincinnati.
"I think it would be a shame if he's not in that game," Weiss said before Tuesday's series opener against Arizona. "I think he's turned into certainly one the best second basemen in this league when you look at both offense and defense and what he's done this year."
Among NL second basemen, LeMahieu ranked first in RBIs (32), second in average (.316), second in hits (79) and third in on-base percentage (.364) entering play Tuesday. Since May 18, LeMahieu's gone hitless just six times and has thrived in many different spots in the lineup.
As of late, LeMahieu has settled into the two-hole, but he spent the early part of the season primarily hitting eighth -- something Weiss said is "tough to be productive at in the National League."
"He's a quiet kid, doesn't draw a lot of attention to himself," Weiss said. "Matter of fact, he tries to deflect it whenever he does get attention. But he's an All-Star-caliber player. There's no doubt in my mind."
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Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
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