Chase Headley for the 2012 N.L. All-Star Team

A while back, when the All-Star ballots first came out, I decided to discuss why Chase Headley deserved to be the Padres All-Star representative.  Part of it was because Headley enjoyed a solid season up until that point, and part of it was because he was the only player on San Diego’s roster which deserved any All-Star consideration.  Well, not much has changed since then.  So with about a month to go before the All-Star Game, I thought it would be nice to discuss why Chase Headley deserves a spot on the National League All-Star team next month.

Chase Headley and his 2012 Season

Even now, I continue to maintain that Headley would be San Diego’s most logical choice to make the trip to the Midsummer Classic next month simply because he has been the Padres most consistent producing position player all season long.  And honestly, why shouldn’t Headley make it?  Chase leads the Padres in almost every Offensive category as he is the team leader amongst all regular position players in the following:

At-Bats (216), Hits (59), Runs (31), Home Runs (7), Doubles (16, tied), RBI’s (30), Walks (38), On-Base Percentage (.383), and On-Base Plus Slugging Percentage (.827).

Sure the Padres’ Offense may be a tad weak, but Chase has stacked up more than fairly against other Third Basemen in the National League.  In fact, Chase ranks 3rd amongst N.L. Third Basemen in Doubles and Hits, 2nd in Walks, OBP, and OPS, and 4th in Home Runs.  In addition to those stats, Headley is also carrying a .273 overall Batting Average and a .444 Slugging Percentage to boot, and both statistics rank him second on the club as well.  Sure, Headley’s Offensive numbers over the first 60+ games might not be eye-popping, but he has been a steady presence in the “3 spot” in the lineup all season, and most importantly has performed on a consistent basis.

Headley also has done flashed the leather in the field as well this season, and done a solid job at the hot corner for the Friars.  Chase leads all N.L. Third Basemen in Assists with 118 on the year, ranks tied for 2nd with 35 Putouts and has committed only 4 Errors on the year which ties for 4th fewest in his League positional group on the season as well.  Statistically speaking, Headley has had himself a nice start to the season at bat and in the field, and deserves a shot to make his first All-Star team.

Final Thoughts

I might also be making cases for Carlos Quentin and Huston Street, because both have been effective when they have played for San Diego this season.  But because the injury bug bit the both of them and caused Quentin and Street to subsequently miss a large amount of time, it leaves them out of the discussion.  Will Venable does lead all regulars in Batting Average (.277) and Slugging Percentage (.480), and has emerged as a potent threat as San Diego’s leadoff man.  Yet Venable has logged only 173 regular season At-Bats, and his overall statistics rank him much lower amongst his fellow National League Right Fielders than Headley does amongst Third Basemen.

While the Padres might not have a great deal of players which are “All-Star” worthy, Headley definitely makes the grade in my honest opinion.  Sure, Chase might not get the notoriety of other Third Basemen because he plays in San Diego and for a last place team to boot.  Yet Headley has done a good enough job this season to statistically keep pace with his fellow competition, and play overall consistent baseball for the Friars in 2012.  One guy from the team has the chance to represent the team in Kansas City next month, and my vote is for Headley.  How about yours?

Readers: Don’t forget to vote for Chase and other Padres this season.  Follow this link right here for the ballots on MLB.com’s site and cast your votes now.

Statistics Courtesy of: Baseball Reference and ESPN