Kuzul

The eighth overall pick of last year’s MLB draft has put together an unnoticed but impressive first half to his rookie season. He should garner some consideration as a representative to the All-Star team next month.

The 22-year-old right-hander out of Arizona State University is 5-1 and ranks third in the National League in win percentage (.833). Among starting NL pitchers, he is 15th in ERA at 2.92 and has a WHIP of 1.41.

Eleven of his 15 starts have been quality starts (even if it is an overrated stat).

Cincinnati’s Mike Leake became the first college pitcher to go straight to the Major Leagues. Leake was drafted eighth overall in last year’s draft, skipped the minor leagues, and made the Reds starting rotation during spring training.

He is the first rookie pitcher in Reds history to start his career 5-0. He deserves some recognition for his success so far. That recognition may come when the managers select their pitching rotations for the All-Star team.

Leake has not received any of the hype that Stephen Strasburg has for the past few years, but he has pitched just as well.

As if pitching like an ace wasn’t enough, Leake is also hitting .385 this year.