How can we as fans push for Daniel Vogelbach to reach the Home Run Derby? Does it help any now that he has been named to the All-Star Game?
-- Dylan U., Tumwater, Wash.

Unfortunately the T-Mobile Home Run Derby isn’t something that fans get a vote in, and this year’s revamped selection process might make it harder for the Mariners’ emerging slugger to get in. The field of eight will be announced on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN, but six players have already confirmed they’ve accepted invitations from MLB to participate in next Monday’s event in Cleveland.

Vogelbach and the Mariners have let it be known he’d love to take part, but as of Sunday, neither had heard from the league, and the only hope would seem to be a late invite if other players turn down the remaining two spots.

Working against Vogelbach this year, MLB has upped the prize money for the competition to $2.5 million, with $1 million going to the winner compared to last year’s $125,000 first prize from a total pool of $525,000. That clearly means more players are eager to accept invites, and the initial field is leaning toward players with higher national profiles -- including rookie sensations Pete Alonso from the Mets and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Blue Jays, as well as reigning National League MVP Award winner Christian Yelich of the Brewers, emerging Pirates slugger Josh Bell and hometown hero Carlos Santana from the Indians.

It could be argued that promoting a lesser-known personality like Vogelbach would be good for the league, and he certainly seems like a guy fans would rally behind once they got to know him. Vogelbach’s willingness to wear his emotions on his sleeve -- and the fact those sleeves fit on a guy who looks like he could be loving life on a beer-league softball team while mashing massive homers -- could make him an instant favorite.

But while being on the All-Star team isn’t a requirement for Derby participants, landing a spot this year is certainly a good first step in helping to raise Vogelbach’s profile both now and for the future.

Do you think we see Evan White up next year? If so, awesome. And what happens with Austin Nola?
-- Nick, Kennewick, Wash.

White definitely is part of the prospect group being targeted for 2020, though that may be midseason or later depending on how he hits once he’s promoted to Triple-A. Defensively, he already belongs in the big leagues, and he’s proving to be a guy whose bat takes a little time to adapt when bumped to a new level, but then really takes off as evidenced again this year with a recent 23-game hitting streak at Double-A Arkansas after a slow start.

Nola has played well at first base in a platoon role since being brought up, but the 29-year-old really is a catcher who is very athletic, having played shortstop and third base before converting behind the plate two years ago. He’s sharing time with Vogelbach at first for now only because Ryon Healy’s back injury proved more serious than expected after the club traded away Edwin Encarnacion and Jay Bruce.

How likely would Mike Leake be to waive his no-trade clause if the Mariners can find a trade partner?
-- Bill, Spokane, Wash.

I can’t speak for Leake, but I’m sure he and the other remaining veterans who aren’t part of the long-term plan would welcome the chance to play for a playoff contender if given the opportunity elsewhere this season. Those guys are professionals, but they’re also human.

Is it disturbing/surprising to the Mariners that Ketel Marte developed into such a strong hitter with 20 homers before the All-Star break? Combined with Mitch Haniger's off-year, does it make us rethink who won that trade?
-- Hap F., Santa Barbara, Calif.

It’s more surprising than disturbing, but home run totals around the game are surprising on most levels this year. Marte is one of 28 players entering Monday who’d hit 20 homers, which is remarkable given we’re just at the halfway point of the season.

Honestly, teams aren’t nearly as worried about “winning” trades as you’d think or rooting against players they send away. A good deal can help both teams, and the Mariners are very happy with the All-Star level production they got from Jean Segura and Haniger the past two years, coupled with the fact Haniger remains a big part of the long-term picture and Segura helped them land young shortstop J.P. Crawford, another key piece for the puzzle.

Taijuan Walker has pitched just three games in the past two seasons for the D-backs due to Tommy John surgery and is still dealing with that recovery, so injuries are part of the equation both ways.

How is Justus Sheffield looking in Double-A, and what does his timeline now look like for reaching the Mariners full time?
-- Dakota N., Seattle

Sheffield has a 1.35 ERA in three starts since getting dropped down to Arkansas, and he had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning in his last outing. The Triple-A Pacific Coast League has become a pitcher’s nightmare with its hitter-friendly parks and some high-altitude launching pads, combined with the use of MLB balls this year that have led to a huge increase in home runs. So what's happening in Tacoma is hard on both pitchers and talent evaluators.

Pitchers sometimes get promoted straight from Double-A to the bigs, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Mariners take that route with Sheffield in the next month or so, should Leake get dealt or some injury situation crop up.