Three players deserve consideration for All-Star Game

However, the Pirates might have a hard time getting three players onto the National League squad for this year’s game, which will be played July 12 at Petco Park in San Diego.

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen has been the Pirates’ one constant at the All-Star Game in recent years, appearing in each of the last five and starting the past two.

However, he almost certainly will be taking a vacation during the four-day All-Star break this season, as he is hitting just .236 with 12 home runs and a .715 OPS in 78 games.

The perennially underrated Marte is having the best season yet of his six-year career, hitting .321 with six home runs, 24 stolen bases and an .840 OPS in 77 games.

For those who fancy the WAR (wins above replacement) statistic, Marte’s 3.1 mark in the Baseball-Reference.com version ranks seventh in the NL, while Polanco’s 2.2 ranks 25th.