The rosters for the 2013 MLB All-Star Game will be announced Saturday evening, and one of the big questions on everyone’s mind going into the selection show is the status of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig. Is the 22-year-old worthy of an All-Star bid or not?
Entering Saturday’s game against the Giants, Puig has only played in 30 games for the Dodgers. That number right there would disqualify almost any player from the All-Star team. After all, how can a player who has only played a third of the first half be considered for an All-Star spot?
If you look at what Puig has done offensively and defensively for the Dodgers during that time, it is hard to imagine that there is a player who has had more of an impact on his team over the last month of the season than Puig has had on Los Angeles.
Puig is currently batting .420 with eight home runs, 19 RBI, an on base percentage of .449 and a slugging percentage of .706. The numbers he has put up are absolutely mind-boggling. Now remember that this is only his first month and a half as a major league player and these statistics are even more impressive.
During the month of June, Puig led all major league hitters with 44 hits, he had the highest batting average for any player who had over 61 at bats. Puig had the top slugging percentage among players with at least 50 at bats, while his on base percentage and OPS were both ranked inside the top-five for players with at least 50 at bats, as well.
Sabermetric statistics also show how great of a player Puig has been. Throughout the month of June, Puig trailed only Jason Kipnis of the Cleveland Indians for the most runs created at 29.6.
Not only has Puig been great offensively, but it is obvious to those who watch him play on a regular basis that he is a great all-around player. Puig has displayed an exceptional arm in right field numerous times already, and shows great speed and awareness when he is on the bases.
There is no question that when the All-Star rosters come out on Saturday night that Yasiel Puig should be included. So what if he has only played in 30 games? He already has more innings than every pitcher who will be in the All-Star Game, and he has had the single-greatest impact of any player on his team throughout the last month and a half of the season.
The MLB is all about showcasing its young talent. Well, here is the opportunity.
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