Dodgers’ Andy Pages continues to lead NL outfielders in All-Star voting

MINNEAPOLIS – Andy Pages isn’t on social media.

Not because he’s sensitive to criticism.

But because he thought he was wasting too much time on it.

“You get on and before you know it, you’ve lost two hours,” Pages told The California Post in Spanish. “I think it’s better for me to spend those two hours studying my mechanics, studying the opposing pitchers, which will help me more.”

But if the changes in how he spends time before games has improved his on-field performance, it’s also kept him from seeing how the outside world has reacted to his breakout season.

When Pages was asked about his thoughts on being the leading vote-getter among National League outfielders in the second All-Star balloting update that was released today, he said he was unaware of it. Pages has collected more than 1.5 million votes. Brandon Marsch of the Phillies (1.26 million) and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves (1.22 million) round out the top three.

“They told me [I was leading] when the first one came out, but I haven’t seen it since,” Pages said. “It’s not something that I’m thinking about. If it happens, it happens. I can’t control that.”

But as a once-anonymous player, didn’t it feel good to be recognized the way he has?

“Obviously, you feel good about that,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the talent that I was given by God and that things are going well. With every year that goes by, people get to know you more.”

Pages said he noticed his public profile grew after his 9th-inning catch on the warning track in Game 7 of the World Series. He ran over teammate Kiké Hernández to make the play.

“Literally, the entire world saw that play,” he said. “Obviously, after that, there were people who started to know who I was. But it’s nothing I pay much attention to.”

Pages is currently tied for third in the majors with 57 runs batted in. 

Does he feel like he’s now one of the best players in baseball?

“Yes, but I don’t see that kind of commentary,” he said. “When someone comes and tells me that, I feel good. It makes me feel good about the work I’ve done to be [that] kind of player. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in to achieve what I’ve achieved.”

A former youth soccer player, Andy Pages said he is carefully watching the World Cup. He told The Post he played the sport in his homeland of Cuba until he was 12 or 13 years old.

The Dodgers’ social media team recently posted a video of Pages and other players juggling a soccer ball.

“I used to be a defender,” Pages said. “I didn’t score goals.”

Pages said he is a fan of Lionel Messi and therefore wants Argentina to win.