It's just Mid-May, but with only 8 teams in North American sports still playing on anything but a diamond, its time to start looking ahead at the Mid-Summer spectacle that is the AL Central All-Star game. (This seasons game will be held at Progressive, formerly Jacobs Field, in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio.) Nothing is written in stone at this point. There's plenty of time for guys to get things going to make their bid. But here is a quick look at who seems to be making their already.
The front runners for the staff:
Last season it was the Tigers ace Justin Verlander who got the nod. And it's his job to lose again this season. Currently sporting a 4-3 record with a sub 3.00 ERA, the hard throwing righty already has another no-no and 62 impressive K's to boot.
Bruce Chen was having himself a career year until he took a trip to the DL this past weekend. But he should have time to hold onto his spot in the rotation. A 4-1 record with a 3.59 ERA has opened some eyes to the PanamaniaAsian so far this season. He's also helped to keep the Royals out of last in team ERA with a so-so 4.51 so far.
Justin Masterson(Former property of the Red Sox.) of the Indians is proving his talents are real. He currently is sitting at 5-1 with 40 K's and an impressive 2.73 ERA.
Max Scherzer, (Once involved in a deal that sent Edwin Jackson back to the NL.)wasn't able to pick up his 7th win last night against the Blue Jays. But he lowered his ERA to 2.81 and has forced his name into early Cy Young talks, even if it isn't warranted. 6-0 with 53 K's can do that sort of thing.
Josh Tomlin, a relatively unknown commoditty outside of the mistake by lake. But leading the division in ERA at 2.56, and a nice 5-1 for the division leading Indians.
Gavin Floyd has always been viewed as talented, but hasn't always shown the consistancy. It's somewhat the same old story this year for the White Sox starter. But he's been one of the SouthSiders best to date, with a 4-3 record, a 4.22 ERA and 48K's against just 14bb's.
Another PaleHose starter,(For the time being.) with a nice season going, is Phillip Humber. Flying under the radar with a 3.18 ERA in 45 innings.
Two other starters worth mentioning for a spot are Tigers 3rd man, Rick Porcello and Indians hurler Fausto Carmona. They've got a fighting chance with sub4 ERA's.
Bullpen possibilities:
Chris Perez, made the team last season as a setup man/closer of the future. Well, now he's their closer of the present, and is doing a bangup job, sitting as co-division leader in saves with 10.
Jose Valverde, tied with Perez at 10, he's dancing his way to another great first half. Barring a stint of Dancing with the Stars, he'll be a key member of the group in the late innings.
Sergio Santos has taken control of the "closer" spot for the god-awful Chicago bullpen. He's yet to allow an earned run and has already put 22 batters down via the strikeout.
Glenn Perkins is one of the few brightspots for a struggling Twins group. Sporting a nice 0.92 ERA in 18 games, he's looking good for a free trip to Ohio come July.
Joakim Soria has always been talented, and that hasn't changed now that the Royals have began to surround him with more young talent. He'll be part of the bullpen, but his 6 saves will most likely keep him in the late middle innings. Or the early-late innings.
Aaron Crow gets zero pub, but he should. his 0.93ERA is impressive. But his .203 average against is even more so.
Vinnie Pestano, yeah, that Vinny Pestano. He's just one of a handful of Clevelnad relievers who have helped to give their team the best overall ERA in the division at 3.42.
Phil Coke, he's still a starter. And he's not doing a bad job. But once he returns to the bullpen, look out. The guy is a difference maker.
Catchers:
Alex Avila surprised no one early on, with poor defense and equally poor hitting. But since the second series of the season against the Orioles, he's surprised many with his overall game. The average has dipped to just .268. But 6 homers 15 runs and 24 rbi is impressive, nevermind for a young catcher.
AJ Pierzynski, not well liked by opposing fans. But loved by his teammates,(With the Twins, with the Giants and still now after all these years in the Windy City.) and one of the most consistant players Ozzie Guillen can throw out there. His numbers are a little down for his standards,(.256, just 1hr and 12rbi.) but he'll be heating up with his team as spring moves to summer.
Carlos Santana, not having the season many had hoped for yet, but it hasn't held his team back one bit. On the way up in his career, and in this 2011 season.
Drew Butera, won't need to pack his bags.
1st Baseman:
Paul Konerko, the ever underappreciated slugger is having another great season, and few seem to notice. He's leading the division in homers with 10 and RBI with 30.
Miguel Cabrera, scrutinized during the offseason. Hopefully humiliated during spring training. He's having another MVP caliber type season in the middle of the Tigers lineup. His average has dipped to just .307(Just!) to go along with his 7hr's, 28rbi and division leading 31 runs.
Eric Hosmer, not making any teams, uless the Central decides to go with a rookie/sophomore game (It's not as far as I know.) but he's talented enough that he deserved to be mention. The same might go for Matt LaPorta, idk.
2nd Baseman:
Orlando Cabrera, all he does is play for teams that win.(They don't win once they make the playoffs, but they always make the playoffs. Even the Reds did it last year.) And that isn't changing so far in 2011. His 22 runs have been a nice bonus for his club. And his .287 average has helped the Indians to the top mark in the division at .270 as a team.
Mike Aviles isn't really a second baseman this season, but at a thin position, he's decided to go ahead and pretend he's one. With 5 homers 26rbi and 8stolen bases in 9 tries, he's looking good for a roster spot.
Shortstops:
Asdrubal Cabrera is having an excellent year, hitting .289 with 6 homers and 26ribbies. Also second in the division in runs.
Jhonny Peralta, his former teammate, is pushing him for the starting spot though. A recent power surge has propelled his numbers to .305 with 6 roundtrippers and 23 rbi. He'd be a surprise starter, but it's not out of the question.
Alexei Ramirez hasn't really fully got it going, but he was the starter on this last season, and has the talent to do the same again this year. Will need to up his .268 average, but he's already scored 22 times.
Third Baseman:
A thin, thin, thin, crop of guys to choose from here. So I'll just say Wilson Betemit has done well, but won't, when he loses his job soon enough to a kid I've heard is called "Moose". Aviles could also be looked at for this gig since he's 17 games here, more than any other position. One garauntee, Brandon Inge won't be manning the hot corner for this team. But he is leading the Tigers in errors, who lead the division with 28 as a team.(That's the type of strong leadership I don't want around.) Omar Vizquel though, could make a late push on the nostaglia factor.
The Outfield:
A few guys have had surprising starts to the season. Jeff Francouer being the most notable. He now sits at 8 homers, 26rbi and has a .291 average. Never mind the arm the takes out with him in the field. Fellow Royals, Melky Cabrera and Alex Gordon and also early season front runners. Gordon's 14 doubles put him at second in the division.
Denard Span plays for the team with the worst batting average in the division(And the worst in the entire AL, at .228.). But he's had a solid start wtih a .282 average and 19 runs. But his numbers aren't as solid as his teammate Jason Kubel. His .329 average and 4homers are nice. But having 20 rbi on a team without many baserunners is an even better number.
Michael Brantley wasn't expected to be the starting leftfielder on this team, but right now, he probably is. He's hitting .304 with 20runs and 18 rbi. He'll need to keep that up in order for the Indians to keep rolling while Grady Sizemore is down. The fact they only have committed 16 errors has been a help I'm sure.
Brennan Boesch had a bonkers first half last season, and has followed it up with a very consistant 2011. Posting a .284 average and 25 runs. Only 2 homers but his overall game has improved to the point where being a nearly everyday starter is a good thing.
Carlos Quinten in leading the division in doubles, so I feel obligated to list him in this group.
DH:
Travis Hafner, is actually leading the division in batting average at .339. And has 5 dingers and 19rbi to go along with it.
Victor Martinez had his hitting streak snapped last night, but he's rolling since returning from the DL. Obviosly motivated by the chance to play in front of his former hometeam fans, the Tigers backup catcher/DH is hitting .317 with 23rbi 4 round trippers and has 15 runs.
Billy Butler has put together a nice season so far, his .291 average will go up between now and selection time.
Utility guys:
Mike Aviles as already been thrown out there. Michael Cuddyer is now. He can play just about everywhere, and is slowly pulling his numbers back to where you'd expect them to be. Ryan Raburn is doing nothing at the plate, and isn't good in the field, so he won't be part of this make believe club.
Jarrod Dyson isn't a utility guy, but his 9 stolen bases lead the division.(He's yet to be caught.) It's not out of the question that he gets a roster spot come July.
Notables not yet mentioned:
Fransisco Liriano, needs to get it together and show he is what he used ot be, on more than one night. Adam Dunn, needs to not be awful, but I don't mind. He's not making this team unless he has 30 homers in the next 6 weeks. Shin-Soo Choo, having a somewhat down start, but is probably the most complete player in the division, decent odds of still being the starting rightfielder. His 6 steals have him tied for third in the division. Justin Morneau, is looking like a shadow of his former self. Joe Mauer, what's his deal? If it were up to the fans, he might start anyway, but he needs to play before thats an option. Alex Rios is not backing up a strong 2010. Gordon Beckham is disappointing. Austin Jackson is showing signs of life, and as a leadoff hitter could still put up numbers that warrant a roster spot. Matt Thornton was handed the keys, and then lost them, but it's not too late for a decent season. It is too late to make the midsummer roster though. Carl Pavano isn't doing what we thought he would, unless you're a hater. Then he's right where you want him. Jim Thome is aging, and one dimentional. I read from time to time that he's a future hall of famer, and I think to myself, " They must not mean the National Baseball Hall of Fame", because more K's than hits, 600 homers and being a nice, isn't getting it done. Juan Pierre is tied with AJax and Choo for third with 6steals, but it probably won't be enough to make the roster. Jake Peavy, could be a huge boost to his team, but won't be on this one. Jeff Francis, needs to get a win on the season, but won't make the roster even if he gets 5 after that. Luke Hochevar though, he's still got a shot. Lots of innings pitched never hurt anybody.
Without a doubt, things will change between now and early July (Game currently scheduled for Wednesday, July13th) but as of now, that's how I see it.
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