Rod Barajas: A National Leage All Star?

Rod Barajas has already exceeded everyone’s expectations. Omar Minaya did a nice job in the offseason to wait him out so that the Mets could sign him to a minor league contract. And he has done nothing but impress since he showed up in Queens.

I was scavenging around the Mets message board earlier today, and one fan said that Barajas should be considered for the National League All-Star team. And while I initially dismissed the notion, I decided to take a look at his stats. The stats really speak for themselves. If the All-Star Game was tomorrow, Barajas could definitely be the starter for the NL.

There are no better sources of evidence than his stats and they are downright impressive. As far as NL catchers are concerned, Barajas ranks first in homers with nine, first in slugging with a .573 mark, and he is second in RBI with 22. Add the fact that he is tied for third in runs, fourth in doubles, and sixth in hits amongst NL catchers, and this guy is having a fine first quarter of his season.

Barajas has also been clutch, and I was lucky enough to see that first hand. I was at the game in which he and Ike Davis had two homers apiece, and the latter for Barajas was a walk-off shot. He has shown an impressive ability to hit the ball with authority, and he already has been worth the salary that he is getting paid.

Defense has been solid has well for Barajas. Although he might be a step behind his backup Henry Blanco, he still is no Mike Piazza. He has handled short hops impressively and he knows how to calm a pitcher down.

Barajas might be the best player on the Mets so far this season not named Santana.