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5 Minnesota Twins Who Deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Game Consideration

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Even though they’ve faltered as of late, the Minnesota Twins have been one of baseball’s biggest surprises this season. If they are to continue as contenders for the rest of the season, these five players who have had big first halves will need to continue contributing. Before that happens in the second half, all five deserve consideration for inclusion in the All-Star Game.

 

All stats are calculated up to June 16, 2015.

5. RHP Mike Pelfrey

RHP Mike Pelfrey Getty Images
5-3, 3.18 ERA, 34 strikeouts. Pelfrey was brought in as a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher, but he's been one of the best hurlers for Minnesota this season. Especially as an impressive veteran, he deserves consideration for an All-Star spot.

5-3, 3.18 ERA, 34 strikeouts. Pelfrey was brought in as a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher, but he's been one of the best hurlers for Minnesota this season. Especially as an impressive veteran, he deserves consideration for an All-Star spot.

4. OF Torii Hunter

OF Torii Hunter Getty Images
.264 average, 8 HRs, 36 RBI, 10 doubles. Hunter's numbers are equal to plenty of others in the game, but what he's doing as an aging veteran is extremely impressive. Chalk this one up to a "lifetime achievement" selection, especially since this may be his final season in baseball.

.264 average, 8 HRs, 36 RBI, 10 doubles. Hunter's numbers are equal to plenty of others in the game, but what he's doing as an aging veteran is extremely impressive. Chalk this one up to a "lifetime achievement" selection, especially since this may be his final season in baseball.

3. RHP Blaine Boyer

RHP Blaine Boyer Getty Images
1-2, 2.32 ERA. Boyer has been the Twins' most pleasant surprises out of the bullpen this season and he's been one of their best. He doesn't have the name recognition of a lot of other elite bullpen guys in the league, but if anyone takes a look at his numbers this year, they will realize he deserves a spot on the All-Star Team.

1-2, 2.32 ERA. Boyer has been the Twins' most pleasant surprises out of the bullpen this season and he's been one of their best. He doesn't have the name recognition of a lot of other elite bullpen guys in the league, but if anyone takes a look at his numbers this year, they will realize he deserves a spot on the All-Star Team.

2. 2B Brian Dozier

2B Brian Dozier Getty Images
.265 average, 13 HRs, 32 RBI, 21 doubles. Dozier is putting together another great season in terms of power numbers and deserves to be in the All-Star Game. His power is extremely surprising for someone of his size and he should continue surprising people in Cincinnati this summer.

.265 average, 13 HRs, 32 RBI, 21 doubles. Dozier is putting together another great season in terms of power numbers and deserves to be in the All-Star Game. His power is extremely surprising for someone of his size and he should continue surprising people in Cincinnati this summer.

1. LHP Glen Perkins

LHP Glen Perkins Getty Images
0-1, 1.61 ERA, 21/21 save opportunities. Perkins closed out the All-Star Game last season as it was in Minnesota and he hasn't missed a beat this year. He has consistently been one of the best closers in the game, converting every save chance he's gotten this season. If he's handed the ball in the ninth of this year's game, the American League should feel very confident.

0-1, 1.61 ERA, 21/21 save opportunities. Perkins closed out the All-Star Game last season as it was in Minnesota and he hasn't missed a beat this year. He has consistently been one of the best closers in the game, converting every save chance he's gotten this season. If he's handed the ball in the ninth of this year's game, the American League should feel very confident.

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