Rangers' Nelson Cruz Honored By All Star Selection

Well for all you Rangers' fans out there complaining about the Rangers getting snubbed in the All Star Game, here you go. Outfielder Nelson Cruz will be heading to the All Star Game in St. Louis. He will be replacing the injured Torii Hunter of the Los Angeles Angels. 

Cruz was the next highest vote getter in the players vote. This says a lot more than the ridiculous fan vote. It means that Cruz's toughest critics, his peers, think he is having an All Star season. 

As a Rangers' fan I am happy to see Cruz headed to the game to represent my team. His defense, although average, gets the job done. It is his hitting that has really taken off this season and I only see him getting better in the near future. 

After being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers along with Carlos Lee in 2006, Cruz has spent short stints in the Major Leagues in the last three seasons (2006-2008). The longest stint in 2007 where he had 307 at bats, hit .235, nine home runs, 35 RBI and struck out 87 times.

He has always shown that he has a great power stroke, but the average has never really been there, only hitting .251 for his career coming into this year. 

The patience has never really been there as well. He has a big swing and in the past it has been pretty wild at times while he strikes out often. Striking out once every 3.8 at bats as opposed to walking only once every 11.8 at bats coming into this current year. 

This year has been a big turnaround. Cruz is still only walking once every 11 at bats but is only striking out once every 4.3 at bats. His swing looks more controlled, fluid and he is making solid contact. It has turned into a legitimate .262 average, which is good for a major league power hitter.  

My only reservation with the selection of Cruz is the absence of Jermaine Dye in the All Star game. Dye has 20 home runs, 54 RBI, and is hitting .300.  

Dye's stats are better than Cruz's, but I think since the players voted Cruz in he deserves to be there no doubt. The players must believe Cruz brings something else to the table that maybe Dye does not. 

Whatever the case maybe I am excited to see Cruz in the home run derby and I hope he represents the Rangers well like he has all season.