Seeing Stars?
As we near the month of June, it's always fun to figure out who the Cubs' All-Stars will be. This year, we could see the Cubs receive several selections. I will give you my top 4 picks based solely on their early season performance (i.e., not based on who might win the fans voting...I'm simply going by the top performers so far on the team)...
Now, all this is assuming these players continue at their current pace:
1) Carlos Zambrano should be a lock for his 3rd All-Star nod.
2) Derrek Lee should get in (would be his 3rd trip as well).
3) Geovany Soto is very deserving. It's always tougher for young players to make it as reserves, but if he keeps hitting, I think he has a strong chance. Brian McCann and Russell Martin probably will make it, so it could come down to roster space and whether the NL can carry a 3rd catcher.
4) Carlos Marmol...he's my sleeper pick. The toughest position is middle and set-up relief. If you don't start and you don't close, it's difficult to put up win and/or save totals that garner a strong look. All I know is Clint Hurdle would benefit from having Marmol pitch the 8th inning for the NL.
Other Cubs will get consideration, but if I had to pick 4, those are my choices at this point. Your top 4?
Len
Comments
I agree with your top 4 Len. I would be shocked and disappointed if Big Z didn't get picked. I think D.Lee's april helped him get a leg up on most other 1B position players but at the same time you have pujols and berkman who overall have much better numbers so derek might be the odd man out. If Aramis can go on a tear here shortly it could possibly boost him up to have a shot at making it. Marmol has been huge in the pen, one of the only reliable pitchers coming out of the bullpen so far this season. One more person I'd add to the list as more than deserving is Dempster. When you compare Demp to Big Z, Dempster's stats are even slightly better in some categories plus considering the fact that he's adjusting from the pen back to the starting rotation again. There probably wasn't a cubs fan more skeptical than me about Dempster going back to the rotation but I'll admit that he has pleasantly proved me wrong.
Zambrano - 7-1, 66 hits, 20 ER, 52 K's, 2.47 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, .241 BAA
Dempster - 5-2, 41 hits, 19 ER, 53 K's, 2.70 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .181 BAA
plus big Z has one more start than Demp.
I think Demp is a bigger sleeper than Marmol just because he hasn't and doesn't get much respect or consideration even though so far this season he is more than deserving. Whenever I hear about the cubs success (and yes even when I hear you Len and Bob on WGN or comcast) I never hear anything about Dempster and I think he's as much deserving as Big Z, he just lacks the flair for the dramatic like Zambrano so he doesn't get so much attention. I was once wanting the cubs to trade him for a bucket of gatorade (last season's mets game disaster) but he's been every much of a cubs MVP as anyone thus far and I hope he doesn't make me eat some of my praise words by giving up 8 runs in his next start!!
Posted by: Justin R. | May 24, 2008 5:47 PM
I say Big-Z, Soto, Marmol, and possibly Dempster.
Posted by: Justin Smith | May 24, 2008 6:34 PM
Love the comment at the top of the 9th about wood hitting as many as walking. As soon as I heard that, I knew we had lost and it's not even over yet and I'm typing this because I already know the outcome.. It's bad enough when other announcers say a "fact" that usually ends up jinxing the team but not our own. I'm not the type of person that believes in that crap but for baseball I am due to the fact that it happens all the time! I always hear, well this guy is 0-whatever against this pitcher or this pitcher hasn't allowed a homerun in however long and somehow it happens, it seems, as long as it happens against the cubs... now I have to get out my black cubs hat to wear tomorrow since it will soon be a loss!
Posted by: Justin R. | May 24, 2008 8:58 PM
My four picks:
1) Geovany Soto. Soto and McCann should be the backstops for the NL based solely on their numbers
2) Carlos Marmol. Like you guys mentioned in the broadcast tonight, since the All-Star game matters now in deciding home field advantage in the World Series, there's no better choice to face the AL's best hitters late in the game than Marmol. Hopefully Clint Hurdle realizes this (especially with the Cubs in the hunt for the NL Pennant this year).
3) Carlos Zambrano. He has been stellar so far. The one Cub I feel should be a definite lock for a spot.
4) Ryan Dempster. For me, the biggest (and most pleasant) surprise of this 2008 Cubs team.
Posted by: Iain | May 24, 2008 11:22 PM
I had been voting for Felix Pie, but he is now in the minors. So, for my third outfielder, I vote for a Diamondback player.
Posted by: Marge Miller | May 25, 2008 12:28 AM
u make some good points len; however, like justin r said lee might not make it cuz of pujols and berkman soto should make it but alot of people dont even know who he is but hes an all-star in my book and if big z doesnt make it then its robbery
Posted by: ian | May 25, 2008 11:14 AM
I want say Fukudome should also be an all-star because I would love to see a Dice-K vs. Fukudome matchup in the all-star game.
Posted by: Tim Holt | May 25, 2008 1:24 PM
I think it will be
1. Big Z
2. D. Lee
3. Geo Soto
4. Wow....C. Marmol
Others who might be in it
Ryan Dempster, A Ram, Soriano, maybe Fukudome, small chances for Theriot, and Lilly
Posted by: gerard reyes | May 25, 2008 1:28 PM
I think it will be
1. Big Z
2. D. Lee
3. Geo Soto
4. Wow....C. Marmol
Others who might be in it
Ryan Dempster, A Ram, Soriano, maybe Fukudome, small chances for Theriot, and Lilly
Posted by: gerardo reyes | May 25, 2008 1:30 PM
I agree with three of your picks. I think Dempster instead of Lee. Yep, I said it. I never thought that would happen.
Posted by: jazzfan | May 25, 2008 2:08 PM
This is actually EASY for me.... BIG Z, MARMOL, SOTO AND RAMIREZ.
Posted by: Lenny C | May 25, 2008 3:30 PM
My top 4:
1)Carlos Zambrano
2)Derrek Lee
3)Geovany Soto
4)Aramis Ramirez
I actually completely agreed with your 4, but had to change it a little just to make it interesting.
Posted by: Nicole | May 25, 2008 9:50 PM
Still alot of time to say who should make it...all things staying the same, I think you almost have to give the SP spot to Dempster over Big Z. It's in the AL this year though, maybe Carlos can go as a DH?
Marmol HAS to go...he is lights out.
Lee has been good but not exceptional and with Berkman and Pujos, probably not going to make it.
Soto has strong consideration for a spot as well if he keeps his pace up.
If I had to pick 4 names though I guess it would be Dempster, Soto, Marmol and Zambrano.
Posted by: Joe Spencer | May 26, 2008 12:13 AM
1. Carlos Zambrano
2. Carlos Marmol
3. Ryan Dempster
4. Mark de Rosa
Posted by: Bonnie O. | May 26, 2008 7:14 AM