Baldelli pleased with Twins' 4 ASG finalists
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KANSAS CITY -- Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was happy to learn that four of his players -- Jorge Polanco, C.J. Cron, Nelson Cruz and Eddie Rosario -- have made the cut in the voting process that will determine the starters for the July 9 All-Star Game in Cleveland.
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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.
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Outfielders Max Kepler and Byron Buxton 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."
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. During the game, fans may visit MLB.com and the 30 club sites to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.