Baldelli pleased with Twins' 4 ASG finalists

June 26th, 2019

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KANSAS CITY -- Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was happy to learn that four of his players -- , , and -- have made the cut in the voting process that will determine the starters for the July 9 All-Star Game in Cleveland.

In the balloting, which was announced on Friday evening, Polanco was the top vote-getter among shortstops, while Cron was third among first basemen, Cruz was third among designated hitters and Rosario was sixth among outfielders. All move on to the Starters Election, which ends at 3 p.m. CT on Thursday. In the Twins' 5-3 win in 10 innings over the Royals on Saturday afternoon, Polanco extended his on-base streak to 35 games, Cron homered and drove in the game winner and Rosario added an insurance run.

Outfielders and came in 10th and 11th among outfielders, missing the cut, as only the top nine outfielders move on to the Starters Election.

Although Baldelli said he would find it hard to come up with nine outfielders having better years than Kepler and Buxton, he lauded the high vote counts for Polanco, Cron, Cruz and Rosario.

"We want our players -- the guys who have earned the opportunity -- to be an All-Star," Baldelli said. It's a great honor to be an All-Star. If you are having the best season at your given position and not voted onto the All-Star team as a starter, I would bet that has to be irritating. I'm a fan of the guy having the best year getting the opportunity to be an All-Star."

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