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| Jason Kipnis has helped the Indians remain competitive in 2012 |
Now that we are through two months of the season, I've decided to fill out my first All-Star ballot this year. While looking up the numbers this season, I figured I should take the time out to fill you in on five guys at the plate that you need to know about.
1. Jason Kipnis - 2B Cleveland Indians
His 9 Home Runs and 34 RBI are tops for second basemen in Major League Baseball. The Glenbrook North grad was the Tribe's top prospect going into 2011 and made his ML debut last July. Kip has a reputation as a gamer. He's a tough out and his effort at the plate translates to the field.
2. Kyle Seager - 3B Seattle Mariners
While all of the preseason hype surrounded Blue Jays 3rd Baseman Brett Lawrie, Seager has charged it up at the plate. Last week he banged out four hits en route to a 21-8 victory over the Rangers. His 32 RBI are tied for 5th among 3rd Basemen and have helped add to the young core of the Mariners once nonexistent offense.
3. Dayan Viciedo - LF Chicago White Sox
The Cuban import, Viciedo has finally come up to be a major contributor to this White Sox club. He has combined a solid presence at the plate with some stellar plays in the field. His arm is growing in reputation and his numbers at the plate are similar to those of Jay Bruce and Corey Hart. As a person who lives in the Sox market, I can attest that the "Tank" is a 100% percent improvement in the field over Juan Pierre.
4. Lucas Duda - RF New York Mets
While he has not made the biggest splash this season, Duda is starting to have the makings of a player who can start in this league for the better part of the next decade. His presence in the lineup has helped the Mets to the occupation of first place in June.
5. Tony Campana - CF Chicago Cubs
Camapana made his debut last May and has swiped 42 bags in 132 games since then. All Campana is going to do is get on first base and steal second. In 2012, he has 26 singles and 18 Stolen Bases. His lone career Home Run was an inside the park homer last season. Campana will be a major part of the Cubs offense, when and if Epstein can build them to compete for a pennant.
Now before I go, here's my first All-Star ballot.
American League
C - A.J. Pierzynski - White Sox .291 BA 9 HR 35 RBI
1B - Paul Konerko - White Sox .366 BA 11 HR 33 RBI
2B - Jason Kipnis - Indians .280 BA 9 HR 34 RBI
3B - Miguel Cabrera - Tigers .318 11 HR 44 RBI
SS - Derek Jeter - Yankees .336 BA 6 HR 20 RBI
OF - Josh Hamilton - Rangers .348 BA 21 HR 57 RBI
OF - Adam Jones - Orioles .315 16 HR 34 RBI
OF - Curtis Granderson - Yankees .261 17 HR 33 RBI
DH - Adam Dunn - White Sox .222 BA 17 HR 38 RBI
National League
C - Carlos Ruiz - Phillies .368 8 HR 32 RBI
1B - Joey Votto - Reds .346 9 HR 33 RBI
2B - Jose Altuve - Astros .316 3 HR 18 RBI
3B - Hanley Ramirez - Marlins .276 11 HR 37 RBI
SS - Starlin Castro - Cubs .305 4 HR 32 RBI
OF - Melky Cabrera - Giants .364 4 HR 27 RBI
OF - Carlos Gonzalez -Rockies .329 14 HR 45 RBI
OF - Andre Ethier - Dodgers .314 9 HR 46 RBI
Feel free to disagree with these picks or to suggest anybody else I should keep my eyes on.
1. Jason Kipnis - 2B Cleveland Indians
His 9 Home Runs and 34 RBI are tops for second basemen in Major League Baseball. The Glenbrook North grad was the Tribe's top prospect going into 2011 and made his ML debut last July. Kip has a reputation as a gamer. He's a tough out and his effort at the plate translates to the field.
2. Kyle Seager - 3B Seattle Mariners
While all of the preseason hype surrounded Blue Jays 3rd Baseman Brett Lawrie, Seager has charged it up at the plate. Last week he banged out four hits en route to a 21-8 victory over the Rangers. His 32 RBI are tied for 5th among 3rd Basemen and have helped add to the young core of the Mariners once nonexistent offense.
3. Dayan Viciedo - LF Chicago White Sox
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| Kyle Seager has helped put a charge in to the Mariners offensive attack. |
4. Lucas Duda - RF New York Mets
While he has not made the biggest splash this season, Duda is starting to have the makings of a player who can start in this league for the better part of the next decade. His presence in the lineup has helped the Mets to the occupation of first place in June.
5. Tony Campana - CF Chicago Cubs
Camapana made his debut last May and has swiped 42 bags in 132 games since then. All Campana is going to do is get on first base and steal second. In 2012, he has 26 singles and 18 Stolen Bases. His lone career Home Run was an inside the park homer last season. Campana will be a major part of the Cubs offense, when and if Epstein can build them to compete for a pennant.
Now before I go, here's my first All-Star ballot.
American League
C - A.J. Pierzynski - White Sox .291 BA 9 HR 35 RBI
1B - Paul Konerko - White Sox .366 BA 11 HR 33 RBI
2B - Jason Kipnis - Indians .280 BA 9 HR 34 RBI
3B - Miguel Cabrera - Tigers .318 11 HR 44 RBI
SS - Derek Jeter - Yankees .336 BA 6 HR 20 RBI
OF - Josh Hamilton - Rangers .348 BA 21 HR 57 RBI
OF - Adam Jones - Orioles .315 16 HR 34 RBI
OF - Curtis Granderson - Yankees .261 17 HR 33 RBI
DH - Adam Dunn - White Sox .222 BA 17 HR 38 RBI
National League
C - Carlos Ruiz - Phillies .368 8 HR 32 RBI
1B - Joey Votto - Reds .346 9 HR 33 RBI
2B - Jose Altuve - Astros .316 3 HR 18 RBI
3B - Hanley Ramirez - Marlins .276 11 HR 37 RBI
SS - Starlin Castro - Cubs .305 4 HR 32 RBI
OF - Melky Cabrera - Giants .364 4 HR 27 RBI
OF - Carlos Gonzalez -Rockies .329 14 HR 45 RBI
OF - Andre Ethier - Dodgers .314 9 HR 46 RBI
Feel free to disagree with these picks or to suggest anybody else I should keep my eyes on.
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