Chapman, Olson, Semien & Hendriks among All-MLB nominees
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland A’s third baseman Matt Chapman, first baseman Matt Olson, shortstop Marcus Semien, and relief pitcher Liam Hendriks have been nominated for the inaugural All-MLB Team.
Chapman, 26, led Major Leaguers regardless of position in ultimate zone rating (14.8). He led Major League third basemen in defensive runs saved (18), total chances (466), putouts (146), fielding percentage (.981), and zone rating (.834), while ranking second in assists (311). Offensively, he set career highs in runs (102), home runs (36), RBI (91), walks (73), and extra base hits (75), while batting .249 (145-for-583). He led American League third basemen and ranked fourth among Major League third basemen in home runs and was second among AL third basemen in RBI.
Olson, 25, led Major League first basemen in defensive runs saved (13) and UZR (6.6) despite missing 34 games to right hand surgery. He led AL first basemen in total chances (1,121), putouts (1,023), and assists (90). At the plate, he set career highs in home runs (36), RBI (91), and batting average (.267). Among first basemen, his 36 home runs led the American League. He joins Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi as the only Oakland first basemen with 30 or more home runs.
Semien, 29, finished third in American League MVP voting and led American League shortstops in fielding percentage (.981), total chances (634), assists (436), and double plays (85), and ranked second in putouts (186) while starting all 162 regular season games. He led Major League shortstops in games, starts and innings (1435.0). Offensively, he led the American League in total bases (343), tied for second in times on base (276), third in runs, doubles (43), and extra base hits (83), and fifth in hits (187). His 123 runs scored tied the Oakland record set by Reggie Jackson in 1969.
Hendriks, 30, finished with a career-high 124 strikeouts in 85.0 innings pitched, including a career-high 25 saves and just 21 walks. His 122 strikeouts as a reliever ranked second in the Majors (Hader, MIL 138) and set an Athletics record, breaking the mark of 115 set by Rollie Fingers in 1975. After taking over as closer in June, Hendriks’ 25 saves led the Majors. Hendriks was named to his first career All-Star team, and set a record for strikeouts by an Australian-born pitcher, breaking the previous mark of 111 set by Damian Moss in 2002.
The 2019 All-MLB Teams, presented by Scotts, will be decided by a fan vote combined with a panel of media, broadcasters, former players, and other officials. Each team will consist of a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third basemen, shortstop, three outfielders, and a designated hitter, along with five starting pitchers and two relievers. The list of nominees will be condensed into two teams (All-MLB First Team and All-MLB Second Team) and announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego.