CHICAGO -- Speaking in the visitor's clubhouse in Wrigley Field before Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs, several Rays made it clear that Logan Morrison would be a deserving first-time selection for the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, should he be voted in. And while Morrison didn't want to make his own case regarding the Esurance All-Star Game Final Vote, his teammates had no problem lobbying for him.
"It's a simple question. His numbers speak for themselves. That's what the All-Star Game should be about," third baseman Evan Longoria said of Morrison. "It shouldn't be about a popularity contest. You're an All-Star based on your numbers and he's second or third in the league in home runs. If not in the All-Star Game, than he definitely should be in the Home Run Derby."
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That omission has struck a nerve with Morrison.
"Gary shouldn't be there," Morrison said of Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez. "Gary's a great player, but he shouldn't be in the Home Run Derby. And I'm not disappointed. I mean it's par for the course. I play for the Rays. I get it. … Nobody asked me, but if they would've asked me, I would've done it."
Sanchez burst onto the scene last September, hitting 20 home runs in 201 at bats after a late-season callup. He has added another 13 homers in 194 at bats this season, having missed nearly a month of action in April and early May. He leads MLB in average distance per homer (427 feet), which no doubt has garnered attention, too.
But there is no disputing that Morrison is having a career year. He entered the series against the Cubs slugging a career-high .579 with 24 homers in 80 games. That mark was tied for second in the Majors and had already surpassed Morrison's previous season-high for home runs (23).
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Longoria wasn't the only one aware of Morrison's feats. About 20 feet down from Morrison's locker, Steven Souza Jr. rattled off a number of statistics to emphasize his point about the outfielder. "He's second in all Major Leauge in homers, top 5, top 10 in the AL in OPS. He's No. 3 in slugging, top 10 in RBIs," Souza said. "All the numbers are there, and he's a very feared hitter right now. And that's what the All-Star Game is about."

Still, it'll be an uphill climb for Morrison to get in. The most recent voting results showed him in fifth in the fan vote, with Kansas City's Mike Moustakas leading the way in the American League with 4.4 million votes.
It's a long road, but not impossible for Morrison to get in. In fact, Rays manager Kevin Cash alluded to a similar situation to highlight what fans can do, praising how they were able to vote Corey Dickerson into the starting lineup for the game at DH.
"It says and shows a lot about our fans that recognize that," Cash said. "So now we need those fans to help with LoMo, because we also feel that he's very deserving.
"If you've watched us play over the last three months, Logan Morrison has played like an All-Star."
Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile devices until 4 p.m. ET today. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.
Now in its 16th season, with more than 680 million votes cast, the Final Vote again will include social votes on the last day of balloting, as Twitter support for the 10 candidates over the final six hours of balloting will count toward their vote totals. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET today, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners.
On Tuesday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard 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 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.