American League All-Spuds
This year's best A.L. players under 30 years old
Just like the National League team of twenty-something All-Stars, these young guns have risen to the top of the heap in the American League. Check out this year’s American League “All-Spuds”, and don't forget to get online and cast your All-Star votes!
C: John Buck, Kansas City Royals. He gets the nod because he’s in the top ten in the majors amongst all catchers in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging, and because he’s played 11 more games than Joe Mauer.
1B: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins. Last year’s MVP leads this group in home runs, RBI’s, total bases and slugging percentage. When he banged two home runs on Opening Day, you knew he wasn’t kidding around (Honorable Mention: Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox).
2B: B. J. Upton, Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He leads the pack in batting average (.323), slugging percentage (.547), on-base percentage (.401), and RBI’s (28) while finally finding a home in the infield.
3B: Adrian Beltre, Mariners. Believe it or not, he’s only 28. Although his numbers this year are modest (.275 BA, 9 HR, 25 RBI) the rest of the group isn’t even close.
SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cleveland Indians. An unexpected power boost with 10 HR already this year finally lends credibility to him possibly becoming an effective AL shortstop, and his other numbers (33 RBI, .503 slugging %) make him a runaway.
OF: Carl Crawford, Devil Rays. If this list hadn’t just come out this year, he’d be a perennial pick. He’s a legitimate five-tool player and an offensive threat to do anything from the lead-off spot.
OF: Grady Sizemore, Indians. Before this season he was one of the best-kept secrets in baseball, but after last year, he just pushed his way to the front of the line. He’s a gamer, and he’s just as dangerous as Crawford with more pop in his bat.
OF: Nick Swisher, Oakland Athletics. He’s putting up solid numbers with his 9 homers, 32 RBI’s and .955 OPS (on-base plus slugging), and teammates, management and fans alike have fallen in love with his leadership and magnetic personality.
DH: Travis Hafner, Indians. He isn’t 30 until June 3, so besides Oakland’s Jack Cust, he’s the only one who qualifies, but Hafner’s played in more than twice as many games. His K/BB (strikeout-to-walk) ratio is an even 1:1, and he’s tied for second among DH’s in home runs (9), and third in RBI’s (33) and OPS (1.020).
SP: Josh Beckett, Red Sox: He’s tied for second in the league in wins (7), and he hasn’t lost yet this year. Case closed (HM: C. C. Sabathia, Indians).
RP: Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Even though he’s Anaheim’s closer now, he cut his teeth in the late-inning stopper's role before replacing the once-dominant Troy Percival.
CP: Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox. With the lowest ERA and WHIP in the group, the third most saves, and that stare of his, he’s the best bet for polishing off a win late.
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