The “Second City” is a city that is second to nobody…at least in the MLB All-Star voting thus far.
Five Cubs players – first basemen Anthony Rizzo, second basemen Ben Zoberist, shortstop Addison Russell, third basemen Kris Bryant and outfielder Dexter Fowler – are all the leading vote getters at their respective positions.
Four @Cubs competing for overall NL lead in latest update for the 2016 @AllStarGame presented by @MasterCard pic.twitter.com/NUqzZMJEZr
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 15, 2016
Not only are the Cubs leading in the votes, but they’re leading the MLB in wins, overall record and run differential by an astounding rate of + 160 runs. To put that in perspective, the next closest team is the Boston Red Sox with +84 runs.
These five are arguably the core of the team (minus Jake Arrieta, who will undoubtedly be an All Star as well). All of the players leading in votes are a direct result of President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, who took over in 2011.
Rizzo was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres for outfielder Kyung-Min Na and pitcher Andrew Cashner. Russell was acquired in a deal with the Oakland A’s for pitchers Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija. Fowler was acquired from the Astros in 2015 for Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily. Kris Bryant was the number three overall selection in the 2014 MLB Draft and Zoberist was a free agent signee this past offseason.
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