MLB All-Bizzare Team

The 2008 season has brought many surprises thus far, which is why this MLB All-Star team looks a little on the funky side. Going through each position, these players are those who have not been known for their power or skill, but this season have made a huge impact.

Catcher: Geovany Soto (Chicago Cubs)

This rookie has come into the MLB in a big way. Just a couple months into the 2008 season, Soto has 11 home runs, 42 RBIs and a respectable .281 average.

Soto has solved the Cubs' recent problem of finding a catcher who is suitable for them. With the possible rookie of the year, the Cubs are currently atop the league with a 41-24 record, including 27-8 at home, the best start the Cubs have had at home in 101 years.

First Base: Conor Jackson (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Yet another youngster who has helped carry his team to success this year is Conor Jackson. Slowly but surely Jacksonhas been on the rise in his four-year career.

This season he has contributed to the Diamondbacks success by hitting seven home runs, driving in 38, and has a current average of .305.

What makes Jacksonso successful? He is one of the hardest batters to face in the NL because he plate approach is excellent. Jackson has a sharp eye, which helps him get on base rather than strikeout. He will continue to help Arizona in the future.

Second Base: Dan Uggla (Florida Marlins)

Lets all be honest here, when we think of the Florida Marlins, we think of a young squad who just can’t seem to find their stroke. This year, Dan Uggla has made his way to the top of the list of second basemen. Uggla has been around doing average most years, around 80-90 RBI per season.

In 2008, Uggla has belted 18 home runs, 44 RBI’s and has an average of just below .300. Striking out in almost 1/3 of his at bats, Uggla still finds the bleachers and drive in runs. The Marlins key to success this year has been their infield with Uggla and Hanley Ramirez.  

Shortstop: Ryan Theriot (Chicago Cubs)

Another Cub to add to this All-Star roster would have to be Ryan Theriot. He's not so much built for power—only having one home run and 16 RBI—but for average and quickness.

Theriot remains the best hitting shortstop with a .321 average and also third in stolen bases with 12. Although his stats as of now prove him as a respected shortstop, in his recent years he has fooled us before hitting above .300 this late into the season, but then dropping below the .270 mark. Theriot, nonetheless, can be credited for helping lead the Cubs as well.

Third Base: Mark Reynolds (Arizona Diamondbacks)

It just seems to be switching in and out with the Cubs and Diamondbacks, but these teams have some young guys who are for real.

Mark Reynolds didn’t prove much of anything to baseball fans in Arizona last year, but boy has he showed baseball fans around the country what he can do this year.

Reynolds has 14 home runs, 40 RBI and an average of .259. Don’t let that average fool you, because when Mark Reynolds steps up to bat, he delivers. Time and time again this season he has helped the Diamondbacks and is a key player in the organization.

Left Field: Carlos Quentin: (Chicago White Sox)

Another Chicago player on the list, but from the opposite side of town is Carlos Quentin.

The White Sox won the Series in 2005, but missed the playoffs for the past two years due to an unhealthy and unreliable roster. This season, the Sox have stepped it up, and Carlos Quentin is a main factor for the success.

The 26 year-old was first in Arizona, but couldn’t do much, but now they must feel straight up stupid for letting him go. Quentin has 16 home runs, 54 RBI, and a .281 average in the 2008 campaign. For the past two years he has been struggling to find playing time, but a new team means a fresh start and “fresh” is a good word to describe Quinten as of yet.

Center Field: Josh Hamilton (Texas Ranger)

We all knew this guy would make it here and possibly to the real AL All-Star lineup. Hamilton has been nothing but a surprise and an All-Star this season.

Last year, Hamilton couldn’t find his game, but this year it’s a whole new story. Ranger fans should be quite happy that they have this young gun on their team because so far he has 17 home runs, 70 RBI, and a .309 average.

70 RBI a month shy of the all star break is straight up ridiculous. Hamilton leads the whole MLB in runs batted in, and by a good margin too. When we talk about Josh Hamilton, we are talking about the kid who is on pace for 172 RBI’s. Did I just say 172? Yes, I did, and that is correct.

If Hamilton continues his success this season, look for him to become the youngest in MLB history to hit more than 160 RBI in a single season.

Right Field: Ryan Ludwick (St. Louis Cardinals)

Ryan Ludwick is the third outfielder named to this roster and his spot is well deserved.

Just like Carlos Quentin, Ludwick has never really found a team where he plays a lot. Finding a new home in St. Louis proved to be the right move for him, because he is hitting .318 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI. Ludwick isn’t exactly the youngest player at 29, but he truly is reliable.

Starting Pitcher: Edinson Volquez

For the past three years in Texas, Volquez was a combined 3-11 in 80 innings. This relates to some of the others on the All-Bizarre team not finding playing time, but then finding a new home and proving themselves elsewhere.

Volquez left Texas to go to Cincinnati where he is currently having a Cy Young season. It will be sure that Volquez makes his way to the NL All-Star team.

In 2008, Volquez is on the top in two of the three major categories for starting pitchers. He is tied for third with nine wins, first in strikeouts with 96, and ERA at 1.56.

That ERA is dominant, as is Volquez. Not only is he dominant, but very consistent. In his past three starts, he’s picked up two wins, 20 strikeouts, and only five earned runs in 19 innings.

Not only can Volquez pitch around the big hitters to get them out, when batters do get a hold of his pitches, most of them are pop outs.