Every MLB Team's Hottest Player Heading into the 2012 All-Star Break

MLB players across the country braved brutal temperatures in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break. Some succumbed to the heat, while others let it inspire their performance.

Here's a look around the league at every team's hottest player.

The festivities in Kansas City will interrupt the 2012 regular season for several days, but don't expect the following guys to cool off. These batters and pitchers were fantastic late in the season's first half.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Jason Kubel

Defense-deficient Jason Kubel isn't your prototypical National League player. The Arizona Diamondbacks garnered some criticism—from ESPN's David Schoenfield, for example—for inking him to a multi-year deal this past offseason.

His bat didn't produce immediately. Kubel had a disappointing triple-slash line of .200/.310/.240 (BA/OBP/SLG) through April 16.

However, power has recently returned to the outfielder's bat. He mashed eight home runs in his final 17 games before the break.

Overall, Kubel leads the D-Backs in numerous offensive categories.

Also sizzling: Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hill

Atlanta Braves: Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel established himself as one of baseball's elite closers in 2011 despite walking 3.7 batters per nine innings.

Now, wildness is a non-issue for the 24-year-old.

He hasn't given out a free pass since May 15! Kimbrel also struck out at least one man in 16 consecutive pre-All-Star outings.

Also sizzling: Michael Bourn, Brian McCann

Baltimore Orioles: Jim Johnson

MLB saves leader Jim Johnson remains hot on a slumping Baltimore Orioles team.

Over the past month, he has allowed just one earned run and zero extra-base hits.

Johnson certainly deserved his selection to the 2012 AL All-Star roster.

Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz

David Ortiz has been phenomenal for the Boston Red Sox since Opening Day. His strikeout-to-walk ratio improves each month as opposing pitchers become increasingly disinterested in challenging him. 

Big Papi did everything in his power to keep the Red Sox battling against the rival New York Yankees during a four-game series July 6-8.

Ortiz reached base 13 times, though his team only won once.

Also sizzling: Adrian Gonzalez

Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo

Since his Chicago Cubs debut on June 26, Anthony Rizzo has been an offensive juggernaut (1.055 OPS), and one who doesn't waste at-bats.

Rizzo has obviously adjusted from a nightmarish rookie season (.141/.282/.241).

Most importantly, the Cubs—who boast an 8-4 record with him in the lineup—have risen from the NL Central cellar.

Chicago White Sox: Kevin Youkilis

The Chicago White Sox improbably sit atop the AL Central at midseason.

The cushion that separates them from the Cleveland Indians would be tiny (perhaps nonexistent) had the front office not traded for corner infielder Kevin Youkilis.

Highlights from his first two weeks in the Windy City include a walk-off, 10th-inning single that set off fireworks on Independence Day, and a two-run homer on July 7 that proved to be the difference in a 2-0 victory.

If he keeps producing, Youk will earn his $13 million team option for 2013, or even a contract extension.

Also sizzling: Alexei Ramirez, Alex Rios, Chris Sale

Cincinnati Reds: Mat Latos

Right-hander Mat Latos did not endear himself to Cincinnati Reds fans through his first 14 starts of the season. He wasn't missing bats or pitching into the later innings.

However, he couldn't have been better in tries No. 15, 16 and 17. His combined stat line? 2-0, 0.72 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, 28 K, 2 CG.

The Reds can honestly say that they don't regret their December acquisition.

Also sizzling: Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake

Cleveland Indians: Casey Kotchman

That's right, the same Casey Kotchman who stunk up Cleveland back in April (.149/.240/.254)  is making up for it in July.

This month, the Tribe is averaging about six runs per game. Kotchman has batted above .400 without striking out once.

Beyond that, he's making nice defensive plays (like this).

Also sizzling: Michael Brantley, Shin-Soo Choo, Vinnie Pestano

Colorado Rockies: Tyler Colvin

The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies swapped disappointing youngsters at the 2011 Winter Meetings. So far, it seems that the mile-high club got the better end of the deal.

Outfielder Tyler Colvin has caught fire and blasted five July round-trippers away from Coors Field.

His slugging percentage is best among players not selected to the All-Star Game (h/t SFX Baseball).

Also sizzling: Dexter Fowler, Drew Pomeranz

Detroit Tigers: Austin Jackson

The Detroit Tigers employ several extraordinary batters, but Austin Jackson is their only complete player. His defense in center field, for example, is invaluable at spacious Comerica Park.

After under-performing with him on the disabled list, the Tigers have surged to a winning record.

Though Jackson has not been an effective base-stealer recently, he gets himself into scoring position with extra-base hits.

Also sizzling: Miguel Cabrera

Houston Astros: Scott Moore

The Houston Astros had us fooled for awhile.

Unfortunately, a sudden and severe regression has this rebuilding organization on an 100-loss pace.

Longtime minor-league third baseman Scott Moore is a bright spot.

As a utility player, he is fitting into the lineup wherever he can and contributing at the plate. He has recorded hits in each of his nine games this year and added three home runs.

Kansas City Royals: Salvador Perez

As a rookie, Salvador Perez crushed opposing pitchers. His .331/.361/.473 line was evidently no fluke considering what the highly-touted backstop is accomplishing in 2012 (.383/.383/.702).

He was sidelined two-and-a-half months with a knee injury, so his campaign has thus far been comprised of 13 games.

In that time, Salvy has gunned down one-third of attempting base-stealers (plus one pick-off) and flaunted tremendous opposite-field power.

Also sizzling: Alcides Escobar, Joel Mijares

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Jered Weaver

Jered Weaver made a great case to throw the Midsummer Classic's opening innings, though the honor is Justin Verlander's, according to FOX Sports.

In Weaver's four starts since coming off the disabled list, he has surrendered one earned run (0.33 ERA). During the streak, he has pitched to a .168 batting average against.

Also sizzling: Ernesto Frieri, Mike Trout

Los Angeles Dodgers: Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen is already the third reliever to represent his team in this slideshow, but the recognition is completely warranted.

He has not given up a hit in practically four weeks. Putting the ball in play against the Curacao native is a feat in itself!

L.A.'s bullpen has kept the club afloat through a run-scoring drought.

Miami Marlins: Justin Ruggiano

Justin Ruggiano was an ugly 0-for-4 for the Miami Marlins on Sunday as the Fish eventually suffered a one-run defeat.

Nonetheless, I reward him with a big picture.

Ruggiano preceded that quiet afternoon with a gaudy 10-game stretch during which he launched four long balls, swiped three bases, and posted a surreal .486/.512/.892 triple-slash line. Not bad for someone who was expected to serve as a reserve.

His OPS has not dropped below 1.000 since his second at-bat of the season.

Also sizzling: Mark Buehrle, Logan Morrison

Milwaukee Brewers: Norichika Aoki

Bryce Harper has a legitimate challenger for NL Rookie of the Year and his name is...hard to pronounce.

Norichika Aoki is now the regular right fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. It will be hard to deny him the hardware if he continues to make frequent contact and stroke the ball with authority.

The 30-year-old was batting .269 entering June 23, but has since raised that mark to .301.

Also sizzling: Mike Fiers, Aramis Ramirez

Minnesota Twins: Trevor Plouffe

Trevor Plouffe cut his hair and donated it to "Locks of Love" with selfless intentions. Little did he know that the action would transform him into an elite power hitter.

He has often provided instant offense since getting the trim on Mother's Day. Plouffe leads all AL Central players with 18 home runs since that date.

Also sizzling: Francisco Liriano

New York Mets: Ruben Tejada

The New York Mets are enjoying surprising success. Steady starting pitching and clutch two-out rallies overshadow their bullpen woes and bad fielding.

The latter has been minimized since shortstop Ruben Tejada returned to full strength.

He's hitting like an All-Star, too. Between his recall from Triple-A (June 24) and the team's first-half finale, he has reached base more times than any other Met, including NL MVP candidate David Wright.

Also sizzling: Ike Davis, Jonathan Niese, David Wright

New York Yankees: Robinson Cano

Stud second baseman Robinson Cano has been near-unstoppable over the past two months.

He caught fire on May 6 and has since recorded 23 multi-hit games. Cano also spent that stretch practicing for the 2012 Home Run Derby by going deep on 19 occasions.

Let's not forget that his defense is equally superb.

Also sizzling: Andruw Jones, Rafael Soriano

Oakland Athletics: Brandon Moss

The Oakland Athletics spent a sizable chunk of their season searching for an adequate first baseman. After turning over every rock, they plucked Brandon Moss off the surface of one.

He has slugged 10 home runs since early June to take some pressure off do-it-all outfielder Josh Reddick.

Also sizzling: Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick

Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Ruiz

There's no easy way to put it—the Philadelphia Phillies are sellers.

For a half-decade, the franchise has only experienced winning, but the Phils are in a deep hole with the trade deadline approaching.

Regardless of team record, Carlos Ruiz plays hard. The volatile offense was carried by his 344/.427/.611 line through the last 30 days of the first half.

Also sizzling: Hunter Pence

Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen

Andrew McCutchen is the hottest player in baseball. It's no coincidence that his Pittsburgh Pirates are the sport's hottest team.

He tops the National League leaderboard in batting average (.362) and slugging percentage (.625). McCutchen is instrumental in all their offensive outbursts, not to mention an asset in center field.

The division-leading Bucs are likely in third place without his contributions.

Also sizzling: Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Jones, Neil Walker

San Diego Padres: Yasmani Grandal

Yasmani Grandal's first MLB start was pretty noteworthy. It is unusual, after all, that we see a rookie catcher hit home runs from both sides of the plate.

Though the San Diego Padres are mired in a brief losing streak, their performance has been better since Grandal joined the lineup.

Also sizzling: Alexi Amarista, Huston Street

San Francisco Giants: Ryan Vogelsong

Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong is consistency incarnate.

The San Francisco Giants haven't given him much run support, but Vogelsong always limits the opposition to four runs or less.

Vogelsong has turned it up a notch over his past eight games. He has logged seven-plus innings each time on the mound since May 29.

Also sizzling: Melky Cabrera, Sergio Romo

Seattle Mariners: Tom Wilhelmsen

It's amazing what the slightest changes can do for a man's confidence.

Tom Wilhelmsen was unimpressive as a Seattle Mariners setup man in April and May. Then, skipper Eric Wedge promoted him to the closer's role, and his pitching has since been otherworldly.

His lone blown save came during a mid-inning appearance. An inherited runner was already in scoring position.

Beyond that, he has preserved every lead.

St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Holliday

If you didn't believe it was possible for someone earning $17 million per year to fly under the radar, you're forgetting about Matt Holliday.

The All-Star injury replacement struggled in April when the St. Louis Cardinals were steam-rolling divisional rivals.

However, he has lately been compensating for Yadier Molina's normalizing numbers.

ESPN.com notes that he batted .500 and knocked in 21 runs during an 18-game stretch.

Also sizzling: Carlos Beltran, Kyle Lohse

Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Zobrist

The Tampa Bay Rays sorely miss Evan Longoria, but Ben Zobrist has imitated the star's missing production over the past month. Actually, his .347/.454/.602 line since June 7 is worth even greater praise.

His individual brilliance sticks out in a lineup that hasn't been scoring enough.

Also sizzling: Fernando Rodney

Texas Rangers: Matt Harrison

American League manager Ron Washington raised some eyebrows when he named Matt Harrison to the All-Star team. It appeared that he was snubbing more qualified pitchers to build up one of his own guys.

Though Harrison's first-half stats aren't amazing, his recent results are.

Three of his past six outings have been scoreless.

Looking at a larger sample, his 2012 earned run average has dropped following each of his 10 latest performances (courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com).

Also sizzling: Adrian Beltre, Robbie Ross

Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion

Edwin Encarnacion is king of the 2012 ASG snubs.

The powerful first baseman—who was on the fan ballot as a DH—recovered from an up-and-down May to reach base in 14 straight games prior to the mini-vacation.

I suppose news takes awhile to cross the border, even when it concerns a break-out player like Encarnacion. 

Also sizzling: Jose Bautista, Darren Oliver

Washington Nationals: Ian Desmond

On the subject of break-out players, Ian Desmond went into "halftime" with a flourish.

He paced the big leagues with six home runs during the final dozen days of first-half baseball.

In a lineup that includes Bryce Harper, Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman, Desmond is having the biggest offensive impact. And he was especially dominant heading into the break.

Also sizzling: Tyler Clippard

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