Chicago Cubs News: Willson Contreras, Javier Baez elected to start 2019 All-Star Game

The second round of voting for the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland has ended and Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and shortstop Javier Baez has been elected as starters for the National League team. Both players are starting for the second-straight year and it’s the second time both players were named to the All-Star Team. Baez was the starting second baseman last season.

Contreras is having the best season of his career in 2019, hitting .300/.395/.586 with 17 home runs and 48 RBI. Contreras is also known for his strong arm behind the plate, throwing out 37% of baserunners trying to steal (league average is 27%) and he’s also known for his pickoff throws to first base.

Baez was coming off a strong 2018 season where he finished second in NL MVP voting. This season has been almost a carbon copy of last season. Baez is hitting .286/.325/.547 with 19 home runs and 52 RBI. And of course, El Mago continues to be a magician on defense and running the bases.

Contreras received 44.6% of the final three vote, beating out the Braves’ Brian McCann and the Brewers Yasmani Grandal. Baez received 43.3% of the vote, topping the Rockies’ Trevor Story and the Braves’ Dansby Swanson.

The Cubs had seven players in the final voting, one for each position except second base.

The All-Star Game will be played on July 9 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

The National League starters are:

C—Contreras

1B—Freddie Freeman, ATL

2B—Ketel Marte, AZ

3B—Nolan Arenado, COL

SS—Baez

OF—Cody Bellinger, LAD

OF—Christian Yelich, MIL

OF—Ronald Acuña Jr., ATL

The American League starters are:

C—Gary Sanchez, NYY

1B—Carlos Santana, CLE

2B—DJ LeMahieu, NYY

3B—Alex Bregman, HOU

SS—Jorge Polanco, MIN

OF—Mike Trout, LAA

OF—George Springer, HOU

OF—Michael Brantley, HOU

DH—Hunter Pence, TEX

The pitchers and reserves for the All-Star Game will be announced this upcoming Sunday at 4:30 Central time. The announcement will be televised by ESPN.