May 30, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Pitchers
Pitchers are not allowed to receive All-Star votes online and make the team solely on their league’s reserve selections.
Although Cardinals’ manager Mike Matheny cannot currently influence roster decisions without an All-Star coaching gig this year, he certainly presents intriguing All-Star options in young pitchers Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal.
St. Louis’ rotation has developed into one of the National League’s strongest around the surprising bounce-back campaigns of Wacha and Martinez.
Both starting pitchers are only 23 and have matured into vital rotation pieces for the Cardinals by maintaining sub-3.00 ERAs and combining for over one-third (17 of 47) of St. Louis’ victories.
Meanwhile, Rosenthal has evolved into one of baseball’s most reliable closers and an elite force in the Cardinals’ bullpen. With skillset to throw fastballs up to 100 mph, Rosenthal has converted 22 of 23 save opportunities behind an 0.56 ERA and 34 strikeouts.