Davis Sports Deli All-Star Preview
                                                      New Guns Step Up

                                By: Aaron Fischman

 

July 16, 2008 - Introducing a New Group of Sluggers

The first half of the MLB season is done. The All-Star game is over. And a new group of sluggers have emerged to establish their names alongside stars like Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, and David Ortiz. So who are these new guns? And what can we expect from them in the second half of the season?

Let's meet the need breed of MLB sluggers:

David Ortiz... Ryan Howard... Alex Rodriguez... Josh Hamilton? The first three players were RBI Kings in 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. The fourth guy, Josh Hamilton, is trying to become the king in 2008. With 95 RBIs through the first half of the season, his chances look pretty good.

Hamilton is a 6'4" left-handed slugger for the Texas Rangers with a very interesting story. A former #1 overall pick by the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays, he has overcome drug addiction to become an MLB All-Star at the age of 27. Prior to this season, Hamilton had only 47 career RBIs; all of which came in 2007 when he was with the Cincinnati Reds. But he has come out of the gate hot and, despite a brief downturn in the month of June, he continues to produce big numbers (.310/.367/.552 with 21 HR and 95 RBI).

Thanks to his terrific first half numbers, the Rangers currently lead the league in runs scored. Unfortunately, they are still in third place in the AL West. Although many fans believe that the A's have given up on the season, I still think that it will be tough for the Rangers to catch them. The Rangers' pitching staff is horrendous. Even without Rich Harden, the A's will easily outpitch Texas over the remainder of the season.

For the record, I do not think Hamilton will finish the season with the RBI lead. But we shall see.

Hamilton's teammate, David Murphy, is another player who has surprised fans this season. In just his fourth season (and his first as a major league starter), Murphy is on pace for over 100 RBIs.

By the time you read this article, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick will already have turned 30. But he's just now coming into his own as a major leaguer. Unlike the Rangers and the Indians, the Cardinals have provided Ludwick with the opportunity to start in right field. In response, Ludwick has put up a vital line of .289/.365/.597 with 21 HRs and 65 RBIs. He is another unknown player who is on pace for 100 RBIs.

It seems that Ludwick has finally found his niche with the Cardinals and I have a feeling that he will want to stay in the National League as long as possible; where he is finally appreciated.

Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox has also enjoyed an amazing turn-around this season. After a disappointing 2007 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Quentin has bounced back remarkably well, hitting .276 with 22 HRs and 70 RBIs. He is now an All-Star. Though his batting average is not terrific, Quentin makes up for it with excellent power numbers. He has had a great deal to do with the success of the White Sox this season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that you've read this article, see what others have to say about it on the Davis Sports Deli message boards.

For more baseball coverage, check out our Archives.