I figured with the all-star game coming up we could go over a run down of each position and who might be deserving of the all-star selection. We will break down 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS, OF and Catcher as those are the positions that are voted on by the fans. Today we look at OF.
Just like last time, let us first take a look at the current voting totals. Again these numbers are current as of the latest article released by MLB.com on June 28th 2010. There is only minutes left in the fan voting and this is actually one of the closest races.
| Outfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RANK | PLAYER NAME | AL TEAM | TOTAL VOTES |
| 1. | Ichiro Suzuki | Mariners | 1,924,904 |
| 2. | Josh Hamilton | Rangers | 1,906,350 |
| 3. | Carl Crawford | Rays | 1,782,035 |
| 4. | Nelson Cruz | Rangers | 1,621,771 |
| 5. | Nick Swisher | Yankees | 1,346,148 |
The outfield position actually lists the top 15 vote getters including our own Vernon Wells checking in at number 11 but for continuity sake, We will just look at the top 5 again.
Now let's take a closer look at each of these players starting at the bottom and working our way back up to number one. All Stats are before games on the July 1st took place
5. NIck Swisher, He is in the midst of what looks like a career year. If he is able to keep up these numbers he will set career highs in Avg, OBP and SLG. Throw that behind the fact that he is playing for the Yankees and he was a good bet to appear on the leaderboards. That being said it doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't deserve to be here. The only knock that I find against the guy is that he tends to strike out a lot.
4. Despite missing half of May and most of June. Nelson Cruz still appears on the boards. He has flat out raked when he is in the lineup hitting for both average and power with an impressive SLG%. You would think the injury time hurts his chances of getting picked for the team from players/coaches so his best bet is the fan voting. He isn't far off the top 3.
3. Carl Crawford, the three time all-star is putting together another good season. He is doing what he does best in getting on base and then driving pitchers and catchers crazy. What he lacks in power he makes up with raw speed on the basepaths as he has already racked up 27 Stolen Bases. Hard to argue with Crawford getting votes as he is looking to cash in during upcoming Free Agency. Another all-star start would go a long way to help that.
2. Josh Hamilton, I am sure we all still remember his powerful display at the HR Derby 2 years ago, and while Injuries dragged him down last year he looks back on the right track this year hitting everything in sight. He started slowly but has had a crazy month of June. With an average among the lead leaders and the power to back it up he is a sure shoe in for the All-Star team, but can he close the gap to be the top vote getter?
1. Ichiro Suzuki, The future hall of famer is a 9 time consecutive all-star and gold glover which is every year he has been in Major League Baseball. He is amazing, you watch the guy swing and you have to wonder how he even hits the ball let alone as often as he does. Ichiro is doing what Ichiro does hitting, getting on base and driving people nuts all while providing good defense in the outfield.
So did the voters get these ones right? I have to admit you will be hard pressed to not get a few all-stars here. The outfield in the AL this year is stacked with people have good to great to amazing years. And as much as I want Wells to be higher in the voting there is no way I could possible justify an argument that he should be there over any of these guys. Talk about a tough crowd. Sound off with your opinions below!
Today's title is from the song Centerfield by John Fogerty