Adam Jones, 2010 Upper Deck Supreme Green #S-4

Congratulations to Matt Wieters, who was named to his first All-Star team today. Hopefully it will be the first of many, which would allow him to throw the "Most Disappointing" label back in the face of Baseball Prospectus editor in chief Steven Goldman. (Wouldn't ya know it? Goldman also writes for the Pinstriped Bible Yankees blog!) There's still a possibility that Wieters could have company in Phoenix next week. Adam Jones was named one of the five candidates for the Final Vote, the 34th and last American League roster spot. From now until Thursday afternoon at 4:00, you can vote early and often for a deserving player from each league.

While Adam is having a pretty good year with his highlight-reel catches, his .283 average, 13 home runs (only 6 shy of his single-season high), and a team-leading 46 RBI, I can't in good conscience say that he is the most worthy candidate. White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is dwarfing him in average (.317), homers (21), and RBI (62). Rays second baseman/right fielder Ben Zobrist can play all over the field and has a higher OPS, by virtue of his superior plate discipline. Tigers designated hitter and sometimes catcher Victor Martinez is batting 50 points higher than Adam and has equaled his RBI output in 10 fewer games. Royals left fielder Alex Gordon has resurrected his career, raising his OPS nearly 200 points from his lackluster 2010 mark. I don't want to be labeled a shameless homer here...

Oh, who am I kidding? Vote Jonesy! It's embarrassing enough that the O's haven't had multiple All-Stars on the American League squad since 2005, but they've also come up empty in previous Final Votes in 2006 (Ramon Hernandez) and 2008 (Brian Roberts). You're not going to let some schmuck from the A.L. Central or that concrete funhouse down in Florida take a roster spot away from the most charismatic center fielder in the league, are you? Well, ARE YOU? Of course not! So get clickin', bub.