We're already almost halfway to the 2009 MLB All star game. I know, time flies huh?
About one quarter of the way into the season, a lot of players, young and old, are putting up some eye-popping numbers. There's little doubt that some of the current league leaders won't stay there, but I'd like to recognize some of the top performers this far into a young season.
For this piece I'm going to stick with position players.
American League
Catcher - Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians
Victor Martinez appears to be bouncing back nicely from a poor 2008 season, doing so by putting up outstanding numbers in nearly every category.
Not only is Victor currently leading the league with a .400 average, but he's also putting up some impressive power numbers with 7 bombs and 25 RBI. He's also tied atop the Majors with Aaron Hill for most hits (58).
Honorable Mention: Kurt Suzuki, Rod Barajas
First Base - Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
With the recent return of their slugging catcher Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Twins lineup is once again an intimidating one.
Admittedly it may be slightly easier to drive in runs when you're batting behind Mauer, but Morneau's numbers are still pretty impressive. After today's performance he's up to 11 homers and 31 RBI, combined with a .317 average and a 1.003 OPS. Not too shabby.
Honorable Mention: Aubrey Huff, Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Pena
Second Base - Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays
Aaron was mentioned above as being tied for the league lead in hits, but racking up hits isn't the only he things he's excelling at. He also has 10 big flies, 32 RBI, and a couple of stolen bases as the icing on the cake.
Right now Aaron is on pace for some remarkable numbers for a second baseman. You may have some competition, Mr. Kinsler.
Honorable Mention: Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia
Third Base - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
This is going to be a big year for Evan Longoria. The 23 year old third baseman is currently on pace for around 200 RBI. I don't think he's going to come close to that, but just the fact that he has 46 this early in the season is amazing.
He's also got 11 homers, 16 doubles, and a .343 batting average. Evan has a chance to have a truly spectacular 2009.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Inge, Mike Lowell, Michael Young, Kevin Youkilis
Shortstop - Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays
There's a little bit less to choose from in the shortstop pool, but Jason Bartlett certainly hasn't disappointed. Jason can pretty much do anything, he's hitting for decent power (5 HR, 15 RBI), he's batting .359, and is near the top of the league with nine stolen bases.
With all of the offense the Rays are producing, it's hard to believe that they're 17-20.
Honorable Mention: Derek Jeter, Marco Scutaro
Outfielder One- Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox
Something tells me the Sox aren't missing Manny too much.
To tell the truth though, it wouldn't really matter how things were going for Manny, it's hard to be disappointed with a guy who's producing like Bay is. On top of his 10 home runs and 38 RBI, Jason is also hitting .306 with a phenomenal 1.086 OPS.
I think Jason Bay likes it in Boston.
Outfielder Two- Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays
That's right folks, there are a lot of Rays in my mid-May All Star Game.
No, Crawford isn't putting up the beastly power numbers of say, Jason Bay or Evan Longoria, but there isn't another player who is as feared on the base paths as Carl.
Say what you will, but in my eyes it's hard to argue with 24 stolen bases at this point in the year. He's also hitting for a high average (.333), and producing at a decent level (17 RBI).
Outfielder Three- Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
As a Mariners fans, it pains me to write this, it really does, but there's just no denying it - the production is there.
Adam has eight homers, 26 RBI, and one of the highest batting averages in the league at .370. Add some great defense, a few stolen bases and 12 doubles, and you've got yourself one hell of a player.
Honorable Mention: Torii Hunter, Johnny Damon, Nick Markakis, Ichiro Suzuki
National League
Catcher - Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants
Bengie has been a key part of the surprising San Francisco Giants this year, having already driven in 29 runs and belted 8 homers.
The oldest of the three Molina brothers is looking to have another solid year, and is on pace to do so. He's set to put up some nice numbers in 2009.
Honorable Mention: Ivan Rodriguez, Yadier Molina
First Base - Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Believe it or not, this was a tough decision. Most baseball fans have come to see Albert as a no-brainer for the NL All Star team, but in the early going he has some healthy competition over in Southern California.
Albert Pujols is doing pretty much what we've come to expect of him. He's producing like crazy while stealing bases and hitting for a high average—just Albert bein' Albert.
His current numbers are 13 HR, 37 RBI, 6 SB, a .323 BA and a 1.105 OPS. He's a monster.
Honorable Mention: Adrian Gonzalez, Joey Votto, Nick Johnson
Second Base - Orlando Hudson, Los Angeles Dodgers
O-Dog doesn't have the home run capability of someone like Chase Utley, but he's leading most second basemen in RBI (21), leading all of them in batting average (.344), and leading all of them in doubles (14).
On top of all this, he also has three homers, four stolen bases and an OPS approaching 1.000. Impressive, to say the least.
Honorable Mention: Chase Utley, Freddy Sanchez, Brandon Phillips, Rickie Weeks
Third Base - Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
The Nats have been getting a lot more national attention lately due to Ryan Zimmerman's 30 game hitting streak, which is a perfect example of the type of season he's having.
Largely due to those 30 games, Ryan is leading the NL with a .362 BA, driving in a good amount of runs (27), and hitting for some power (eight home runs, 13 doubles).
Ryan is one of the few bright spots for the hard-luck Nationals, something that Nats fans can only hope will change in the near future.
Honorable Mention: David Wright, Casey Blake, Pablo Sandoval
Shortstop - Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
After getting off to a fairly slow start, Hanley has effectively turned this one into a one horse race. Ramirez is blowing away all other NL shortstops with a .357 BA, six HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB, and 14 doubles—and he's only 25.
The Marlins may be starting to fade, but Hanley is only getting better and better, and is all set to have another big season.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Theriot, Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada
Outfielder One - Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies
I like Raul a lot, and I'm glad he's found such success in Philly, but man do I miss him like crazy.
Ibanez was perhaps the only impressive player on the 2008 Mariners, and although he's not getting any younger, he's looking even better in 2009. He's already forced himself into the hearts of Phillies fans, currently hitting .352 with 10 HR, 28 RBI, 86 total bases, good for the third most in the National League.
All of this, coupled with a bit of speed and an OPS near 1.100, Raul is poised to have a fantastic season.
Outfielder Two - Carlos Beltran, New York Mets
Add a ton of talent, a lot of power, and some speed, mix lightly, and you'll end up with Carlos Beltran.
Carlos is leading the National League with an almost scary batting average of .370, along with six HR, 25 RBI, six SB, and an OPS over 1.000. Those numbers are tough to argue with. He should turn out to be a big part of any playoff run the Mets may make this season.
Outfielder Three - Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals
You just can't beat consistency.
The powerful Adam Dunn has hit exactly 40 home runs in each of the last three seasons, and 46 four years ago. He's on pace to hit over 40 once again this season.
I like Adam Dunn a lot, so I almost feel bad for him for being on such a terrible team, but when you think about it, it's tough to feel bad for anyone who's making 10 million dollars a year.
If consolation is needed though, as long as keeps up this pace for another month or so, he should be a lock for the 2009 All Star game.
Honorable Mention: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, Brad Hawpe
Keep in mind that these are just one person's opinions, many of which could turn out to be very wrong (and I'm sure lots of them will be), but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
And for those of you who strongly disagree with me, just make sure you vote!
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