McCann finishes second in Starters Election
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CHICAGO -- James McCann will not be the American League’s starting catcher for the 2019 All-Star Game on July 9, finishing second to the Yankees' Gary Sanchez in the inaugural Google MLB All-Star Starters Election voting results announced Thursday evening on ESPN.
Sanchez received 47.1 percent of the vote, followed by McCann at 33.1 percent and Houston’s Robinson Chirinos at 19.8 percent.
Players who did not win the Starters Election are not automatically added as reserves. Pitchers and reserves will be announced on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CT, also on ESPN.
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McCann, 29, enters the final week of the season’s first half as one of baseball’s true breakthroughs, let alone a surprise story simply as a part of the White Sox. He boasts a .328 average, .387 on-base percentage, .520 slugging percentage and .907 OPS over 55 games and 198 at-bats. The right-handed hitter also has knocked out eight home runs, matching his 2018 total, including a solo shot during the team’s 8-7 comeback victory at Fenway Park Wednesday. He has 25 RBIs, 34 runs scored, 14 doubles and four stolen bases.
Signed as a free agent to a one-year, $2.5 million deal during this past offseason, McCann quickly worked his way into the everyday catcher’s role for the White Sox. Pitchers praise McCann for his preparation, attention to detail and the way he calls games, with Lucas Giolito giving McCann a great deal of credit for his All-Star worthy first-half showing with a 10-2 record and 2.87 ERA in 15 starts to go with 111 strikeouts and 33 walks in 91 innings.
Giolito and McCann are not the lone White Sox worthy of All-Star consideration. Shortstop Tim Anderson should be in the conversation with a .317 average, 11 homers and 15 stolen bases, although Anderson appears headed to the injured list with a high ankle sprain suffered in Boston. Closer Alex Colome (16-of-17 in saves, 2.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP) and third baseman Yoan Moncada (.299, 13 HRs, 42 RBIs) have turned in strong performances for the White Sox.
The 2019 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be played on Tuesday, July 9, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. It will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.