Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig may not win an online vote to get into the July 18 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Only because he may not have to.
National League manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants told the Los Angeles Times on Friday night that he's more open to the idea of adding Puig, the Dodgers' 22-year-old outfield who has burst onto the scene during his first month in the big leagues.
"He's done a great job," Bochy said. "(Saturday), we'll know exactly who's going to make the club and which way we're going to go. He's done a great job. Believe me, that's not gone unnoticed. He's a very exciting player. There's been a lot of talk about him, a lot of interest from different people to have him in there. I understand that. I have to do what I think is right and tomorrow you'll know.''
Puig was batting .430 going into Friday night's game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco and won the NL Player of the Month Award after being called up from Double-A Chattanooga on June 3. His potential inclusion in the All-Star game has created a lengthy debate on whether a player with such a small simple size in the big leagues deserves a roster spot over veterans who have a full half-season's worth of work.
Philadelphia Phillies close Jonathan Papelbon has said adding Puig to the NL roster would be "an absolute joke." Bochy himself seemed against the idea last week when the Giants were in Dodger Stadium.
"Generally, guys that go to the All-Star Game are guys that have a great first half, not a great three weeks," Bochy said at the time to the Los Angeles Times. "If you ask me a week from now, I may say I've changed my mind."
Apparently, he has done just that, understanding that Puig's inclusion may be a popular decision among baseball fans.
Part of it is you understand as a manager the fans want to see a certain player," Bochy told the newspaper. "It's exciting for them. They've made a huge splash. They're bringing so much energy, it's intriguing. And even though it's a small sample size, when you look at the noise (Puig) has made, and it happens in a big city, and he has to be credited with what's happened with their club. He's been a spark for their team.''
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