Cincinnati Reds have several players deserving of being in the 2017 All-Star Game after one representative last year

Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto is one of five National League first basemen that deserves to be in Miami for the All-Star Game.

The first base position in the NL is loaded, including Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto.  The other four first basemen that are good enough to be All-Stars this year are Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals,  Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves, and Eric Thames of the Milwaukee Brewers.  All of them are household names, except for Thames.

Thames has played overseas and stepped into the first base position for the Brewers this season.  He is second in the NL among first baseman in home runs behind Zimmerman.  Batting second for the Brewers, Thames is leading all NL first basemen in runs.

For his part, Zimmerman leads the NL in both home runs and batting average.  He is also second in OBP and runs scored.  Zimmerman is having a career resurgence and deserves to start the ASG.

Freeman, Goldschmidt and Votto are the class of the NL first basemen.  Goldschmidt and Votto are in a class by themselves as the undisputed best two offensive players in the NL.  Freeman for his part has been an OBP machine throughout his career and could have been called the best first baseman in the league if he played in a league without the elite duo.

The Cincinnati Reds also have a pair of batters and one pitcher that deserve All-Star consideration.

More from Reds News

• Reds news: Alejo Lopez and Delino DeShields join the expanded roster
• Reds: Aristides Aquino’s stats since Player of the Month honors are awful
• The Reds are missing the straw that stirs the drink
• 3 early contract extensions the Reds should pursue
• Reds vs. Cardinals: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The other player that should be on the All-Star team in 2017 without a shadow of doubt is third baseman Eugenio Suarez.  He is the second best third baseman in the league behind only last year’s NL MVP Kris Bryant, helping Reds’ fans forget Todd Frazier.  Suarez ranks third in average, third in OBP and second in runs scored among NL third basemen so far in his breakout season.

One player that doesn’t get enough credit for his play this year is Adam Duvall.  After being the Reds’ lone representative last year, Duvall is once again among the NL leaders in home runs this year.  With his Gold Glove finalist defense and his third place ranking in home runs among NL outfielders, Duvall deserves consideration in the competitive NL outfield.

One pitcher that may have trouble making the team because of the way the Reds use him is Raisel Iglesias.  He ranks only ninth in the NL in saves because the Reds allow more players to close out games than other teams do.  With a sub-1.00 WHIP and a sub-1.50 ERA Iglesias deserves consideration, even if he doesn’t make it.

Shortstop Zack Cozart and reliever Wandy Peralta could both earn consideration, depending on the roster needs of the NL squad.  They have both had great seasons so far in positions that are sometimes thin on the All-Star roster.  Neither one will likely make the team, but both have been good enough so far.

Next: Sean Casey returns to lead Opening Day parade

Overall, the Reds deserve 2 or 3 All-Stars this year.  There is no reason that both Votto and Suarez shouldn’t be there.  Duvall’s power puts him just ahead of Iglesias in the line to make the team.  The largest difference from last year is that so many players deserve to be there on their own merit.