Final Vote candidates boast impressive stats
With the starters for the 2015 All-Star Game announced on Sunday, and the pitchers and reserves on Monday, there are still two spots up for grabs.
• Cast your Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote
Voting is open now at MLB.com to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each League until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
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• Final Vote underway for last AL, NL spots
Each candidate has much to offer, but here is just one cool stat for each.
Video: Five hitters match up in 2015 AL Final Vote
American League
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox: After hitting .153 in 124 at-bats with runners in scoring position last season, Bogaerts has come up big in those situations in 2015. In 66 at-bats, he's batting .379 with eight extra-base hits, 33 RBIs and a .937 OPS.
Yoenis Cespedes, LF, Tigers: A warning to pitchers: Throw Cespedes a low fastball at your peril. He's hitting .464 (26-for-56) with a .768 slugging percentage against those offerings this season, numbers that rank first and fourth, respectively, among full-time players.
Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins: When teams have tried to neutralize the right-handed hitter with righty relievers this season, it hasn't worked. In 72 at-bats against those pitchers, Dozier has slugged .694 with a 1.077 OPS, ranking among the top six full-time players in both categories.
Brett Gardner, OF, Yankees: He has been one of baseball's most selective hitters, swinging only 36.7 percent of the time, second-lowest among qualified hitters. Because of that, he ranks sixth in the Majors with 4.27 pitchers per plate appearance.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals: Being behind in the count hasn't bothered Moustakas. He's batting .327 in those situations, third-best in the Majors, with three homers and a .471 slugging percentage.
Video: Star-studded 2015 Final Vote for last NL roster spot
National League
Johnny Cueto, SP, Reds: Right-handed pitchers often have trouble with left-handed batters, but not Cueto. Lefties are hitting .168 with a .505 OPS against him this season, with both of those numbers ranking first among Major League righties.
Jeurys Familia, RP, Mets: Mainly a sinker-slider pitcher, Familia throws the latter about 25 percent of the time, and to devastating effect. Batters are 4-for-38 (.105) against the slider this season, with no extra-base hits, 20 strikeouts and no walks, whiffing on more than half of their swings.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers: His 15.6 percent swinging-strike rate is the highest among NL pitchers, while his 68.6 percent contact rate is the second-lowest.
Carlos Martinez, SP, Cardinals: He has been adept at getting out of jams this season. With runners in scoring position, opponents have a batting line of .132/.207/.145, with one extra-base hit (a double), seven walks and 32 strikeouts.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies: If you're a southpaw who has to face Tulowitzki, good luck. In 65 plate appearances against lefties, he is hitting .419 (best among qualified hitters) with six doubles, three homers and a .661 slugging percentage.
Video: Guys on MLB Now talk All-Star Final Vote Candidates
During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.