Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Phase one of All-Star game voting wrapped up on Thursday afternoon, and two Mets made the cut for the second round of voting.
Unsurprisingly Pete Alonso was named a finalist at first base trailing only Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both Alonso and Goldy have been having an MVP-esque first half of the season.
Alonso leads the league with 69 RBI and is tied for fourth with 22 homers. He’s really transformed himself into more of an all-around hitter this season batting .280 and posting a .359 OBP and .919 OPS over 75 games.
Alonso would be an early favorite for the NL MVP if not for the performance of Goldschmidt. The veteran first baseman is hitting .342 and has 19 home runs, 24 doubles, and a 1.054 OPS through 74 games.
The other Met still in the running for a starting spot in the ASG is Starling Marte. The veteran outfielder got off to a slow start in his first season in New York but has settled in really nicely.
In 65 games, Marte has eight stolen bases, seven homers, and 16 doubles. He’s hitting .279 and has posted a .327 OBP and .769 OPS while playing a relatively solid right-field for the first time in his career.
The outfielders Marte is up against are Mookie Betts, Joc Pederson, and Adam Duvall. Marte has only made the All-Star team once in his 11-year big league career.
Surprisingly, the red-hot Jeff McNeil didn’t make the cut for the second round of voting at second base. The injured Ozzie Albies and Jazz Chisholm of the Marlins were named finalists ahead of him.
Francisco Lindor finished third amongst NL shortstops behind Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson.
Phase 2 of voting begins on Tuesday, July 5. Come on Mets fans, let’s get Big Pete and Marte to the All-Star Game!
