AJ Pollock is a professional baseball player who has made a name for himself over the years through his consistent performances on the field. He has played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), but is perhaps best known for his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pollock is a versatile outfielder who is known for his speed, power, and solid defense. In 2014, Pollock suffered an injury that caused him to miss the second half of the season, but he bounced back in 2015 to become an All-Star.
This blog post will explore whether or not Pollock truly deserved to be an All-Star in 2015, despite missing a significant portion of the previous season.
Aj Pollock’s Career
Early Years and Minor League Experience
AJ Pollock was born on December 5, 1987, in Hebron, Connecticut. He played college baseball at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a standout center fielder.
In 2009, Pollock was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round (17th overall) of the MLB draft.
After being drafted, Pollock spent several years in the minor leagues, working his way up through the ranks of the Diamondbacks’ farm system. He had a solid performance in his minor league career, hitting .307 with 21 home runs, 179 RBI, and 103 stolen bases in 410 games.
Mlb Debut and First Few Seasons With the Arizona Diamondbacks
Pollock made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in 2012, where he played in 31 games and batted .247 with two home runs and eight RBI. The following season, he had a breakout year, batting .269 with eight home runs, 38 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 137 games.
In 2014, Pollock continued to improve, hitting .302 with seven home runs, 32 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 75 games before suffering an injury that would cause him to miss the second half of the season.
Despite the injury, Pollock was considered one of the best young outfielders in the league at the time and was expected to continue his upward trajectory.
2014 Season and Injury That Caused Him to Miss the Second Half
Unfortunately, Pollock’s injury in 2014 was a major setback for him and the Diamondbacks. He suffered a broken right hand in June and missed the rest of the season.
The injury was a significant blow to the Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes, as Pollock had been a key contributor to their success up to that point.
Despite the injury, Pollock remained optimistic about his future and was determined to come back stronger in 2015. And that’s exactly what he did. He returned to the Diamondbacks in 2015 and had a phenomenal year, batting .315 with 20 home runs, 76 RBI, and 39 stolen bases in 157 games.
This outstanding performance earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team.
Aj Pollock’s All-star Selection
The All-Star selection process involves a combination of fan voting, player voting, and selections made by the All-Star team managers. Fans are allowed to vote for their favorite players online or through paper ballots, while players and managers are given the opportunity to vote for their peers.
The top vote-getters at each position are then selected to the All-Star team.
Pollock’s Statistics and Performance in 2015
B. In 2015, Pollock had a phenomenal season, finishing with a .315 batting average, 20 home runs, 76 RBI, and 39 stolen bases. He was also a solid defender, posting a .993 fielding percentage and making only three errors in 145 games.
Pollock’s impressive offensive and defensive numbers made him a top candidate for the All-Star team.
The Factors That Led to Pollock’s All-star Selection
There were several factors that led to Pollock’s All-Star selection. For one, his statistics were among the best in the league at the time. His .315 batting average ranked fifth in the National League, while his 39 stolen bases ranked third.
He also had a solid WAR (wins above replacement) of 6.8, which was one of the highest among National League outfielders.
Additionally, Pollock’s versatility as a player may have played a role in his selection. He was able to play all three outfield positions, which gave the National League team more flexibility in their roster.
His speed and ability to steal bases also made him a valuable asset to the team.
Overall, Pollock’s All-Star selection was well-deserved based on his outstanding performance in the 2015 season. Despite missing the second half of the previous season due to injury, he was able to come back and prove that he was one of the best outfielders in the league.
Arguments Against Pollock’s All-star Status
While Pollock’s All-Star selection was well-deserved based on his statistics and overall performance, some may argue against his selection for several reasons.
One possible counterargument is that he missed half of the previous season due to injury, which could have impacted his ability to perform at an All-Star level.
Others may argue that there were other outfielders who had better statistics or played for more successful teams.
Those Counterarguments and Their Validity
It is true that Pollock missed a significant portion of the 2014 season due to injury, but his performance in the first half of that season was still outstanding, as evidenced by his .302 batting average, seven home runs, 32 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in just 75 games.
Additionally, his strong comeback in the 2015 season showed that he had fully recovered from his injury and was playing at a high level once again.
As for the argument that other outfielders had better statistics, it is important to note that Pollock’s numbers were still among the best in the league at the time.
While there were certainly other outfielders who had similar or even better statistics, Pollock’s versatility as a player and his solid defensive skills likely played a role in his selection.
Finally, the argument that Pollock played for a struggling team may have some merit, as the Diamondbacks finished with a record of 79-83 in 2015. However, it is worth noting that the All-Star game is meant to showcase the best individual players in the league, regardless of their team’s success.
While there may be some counterarguments against Pollock’s All-Star selection, it is clear that he was a deserving candidate based on his statistics, versatility, and overall performance in the 2015 season.
AJ Pollock’s statistics from the first half of the 2014 season, when he was playing at an All-Star level, and the 2015 season, when he was named an All-Star:
| Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | Stolen Bases | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 (1st half) | .302 | 7 | 32 | 14 |
| 2015 | .315 | 20 | 76 | 39 |
Name of the table: AJ Pollock’s All-Star Seasons Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has AJ Pollock been named an All-Star?
AJ Pollock has been named an All-Star once, in 2015.
Who were some of the other outfielders considered for the All-Star team in 2015?
Some of the other top outfielders in the National League in 2015 included Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton, Joc Pederson, and Justin Upton.
Did AJ Pollock win any awards or honors in addition to being named an All-Star in 2015?
Yes, Pollock also won a Gold Glove award for his outstanding defense in center field in 2015.
Has AJ Pollock continued to perform at an All-Star level in recent years?
Pollock has had some injury setbacks in recent years that have affected his performance, but he has continued to be a solid player when healthy. In 2019, he had a strong season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .266 with 15 home runs, 47 RBI, and 9 stolen bases in 86 games.
Is AJ Pollock still playing in the MLB?
Yes, AJ Pollock is still playing in the MLB as of 2023. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he primarily plays as an outfielder.
To Recap
AJ Pollock’s All-Star selection in 2015 was well-deserved based on his impressive statistics and overall performance.
Despite missing the second half of the previous season due to injury, Pollock was able to come back and prove that he was one of the best outfielders in the league.
His versatility, speed, and solid defensive skills likely played a role in his selection, and while there may be some counterarguments against his selection, his outstanding performance in 2015 ultimately made him a deserving All-Star.
Overall, Pollock’s career has been marked by impressive achievements, and it will be exciting to see what he accomplishes in the future.
