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American League All-Star Voting: Five Baltimore Orioles Who Belong on the Team

By Mike Smith

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May 24, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (50) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Miguel Gonzalez

Fans don’t vote for pitchers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the All-Star season that Miguel Gonzalez is having.

Coming into this year, Baltimore looked to be counting on Chris Tillman to be the ace, with high hopes for Wei-Yin Chen and Bud Norris, and dreams of a resurgence from Ubaldo Jimenez. Meanwhile, Gonzalez was just kind of there.

When the season started, he was more than just there, he’s been the only one there. Tillman and Norris have struggled mightily, while Chen and Jimenez have been inconsistent, but Gonzalez has been the Orioles’ best starter and has given them a chance to win almost every time he’s taken the mound.

Gonzalez has had four stars this year in which he’s given up 4+ runs, but he has offset that with four starts of 1 run or fewer. He’s also had four starts in which he has gone 7+ innings, something Baltimore has sorely needed in this season where their starters have had trouble giving them any sort of length.

When the season ends, Gonzalez will not be in the Cy Young conversation, but his work in the first half has at least earned him the opportunity to have his name announced for the All-Star Game.

Do you agree with our list of All-Star Orioles? Think we left somebody off? Join the conversation in the comments section below.

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