Could Omar Infante be playing second base for the National League in the All-Star game? (Photo: Steven Grant)
We’re now less than a month away from selecting the All-Stars for the American and National Legues in the 83rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Kansas City. After the April that the Miami Marlins had, it looked as though it would be tough to find anyone from the Fish to represent the N.L. But after the best May in baseball, many players have come around for Miami and there are a hand full of players that could end up in the mid-Summer classic. Here is a look at the potential Marlins’ All-Stars:
Omar Infante, 2B (.308, 6 HR, 20 RBI)
Omar Infante was one of the few Marlins to have a productive April and has continued to produce at the plate ever since. Everyone knows that Infante plays Gold Glove caliber defense, but Infante’s six homers trails only Dan Uggla among second basemen in the National League. His average is second among second basemen in the N.L. behind only Houston’s Jose Altuve. Infante made the All-Star Game in 2010 as a member of the Atlanta Braves, but his power numbers are much better this season.
Ricky Nolasco, SP (6-4, 4.38 ERA)
Ricky Nolasco has a high ERA for most All-Stars, but his six wins is 11th best in the National League and leads the Marlins. If the roster selections were made today, Nolasco would almost definitely be on the outside looking in. But with still about six starts left before the break, Nolasco will have an opportunity to pick up a few more wins. If Nolasco were able to run his record to something like 9-5 and lower the ERA to under four, he may get a second look from N.L. manager Tony LaRussa.
Hanley Ramirez, 3B (.261, 11 HR, 37 RBI)
Hanley Ramirez has not had the kind of year that he would have liked average wise, but his power numbers put him among the top of the league for a third baseman. Ramirez’s 11 home runs is just one behind St. Louis’ David Freese for the National League lead at that position. Ramirez is just 3 RBIs behind Freese and is 9th overall in the N.L. when it comes to driving in runs. In his first year at third base, Ramirez has excelled in the field and his 10 stolen bases is tops among National League third basemen.
Jose Reyes, SS (.281, 16 SB, 29 BB)
Like many of the Marlins, shortstop Jose Reyes got off to a slow start, but has been coming around with the bat lately. Reyes is third in the National League in steals and tops among shortstops. Reyes has also walked more than any other N.L. shortstop and is 7th in the National League when it comes to taking walks. Reyes is still a long shot to be an All-Star, but if the average can climb a little closer to .300 and he continues to swipe bags, Reyes could end up sneaking into the All-Star Game.
Giancarlo Stanton, RF (.291, 14 HR, 41 RBI)
Giancarlo Stanton is as close as Miami has to a lock to make the All-Star Game. After not hitting a home run in his first 20 games, Stanton has blasted 14 in Miami’s last 38 games. He trails only St. Louis’ Carlos Beltran, who has hit 16 home runs, in the National League. His .291 average is higher than most expected in just his second full season in the big leagues. Stanton is also fourth in the National League with 41 RBIs. Expect Stanton to make his first All-Star Game this summer.
Carlos Zambrano, SP (4-3, 2.81 ERA)
After a bitter departure from Chicago, Carlos Zambrano has revived his career in Miami. Zambrano’s 2.81 earned run average is All-Star worthy, but unfortunately for Zambrano, he hasn’t been able to pick up the wins. It hasn’t been any fault of his own, but the Marlins’ bullpen has let Zambrano down on multiple occasions this year. Zambrano’s ERA is definitely good enough to be considered for the National League All-Star team, but he will likely need to pile some wins up before the second week in July.
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