Season 45 All-Star Blog

Season 45 Midseason Classic

Seven seasons have passed since I posted the what used to be the annual Pine Tar All-Star blog.  The all-star blog highlights all-stars by team and division, first time all-stars, youngest all-stars, veteran all-stars, highest paid all-stars, and "diamond in the rough" all-stars.  I didn't have much time for analysis, so I made some points below.

-The National League jumped on the AL early and never looked back, as they won by the score of 10-2.  Click here to view the box score.
-Seattle Strikers' 2B Juan Carlos Guzman was awarded the Most Valuable Player award in his first all-star appearance. The 25-year old Guzman hit a 3-run bomb in the 3rd inning to break the game open.
-The Homerun Derby champ was also making his first all-star appearance.  Syracuse Nationals 1B Henderson Rolls, who only has a power rating of 79, scored an upset win over Durham's Cleatus Wallace in the finals.
-The Durham Doormats and Seattle Strikers led Pine Tar with 6 all-star selections apiece.  These two clubs also lead their respective leagues in wins.
-The AL East and NL South tied for the most all-stars by division.  These divisions would earn both wildcard berths for their respective leagues if the season ended at the all-star break (Syracuse and Boston for the AL East, Louisville and Little Rock for the NL South).
-Over 50 percent (31 out of 60) of the all-star rosters were made up of first-time all-stars.  The last time that this blog was posted, in Season 38, only 35% of the rosters were making their first appearance.  It is nice to see young talent flourishing!
-El Paso Walkers' veteran reliever Alex James made his 12th all-star appearance.  The 36-year old James has 519 career saves and 6 Fireman-of-the-Year awards.
-Jackson Juggernauts pitcher Benny Caminiti is trying to prove that Diamond-in-the-Rough players aren't exactly worthless.  Caminiti made his 3rd all-star appearance and pitched two innings of shutout ball for the National League.

Teams with the most All-Star selections:

Durham Doormats - 6
Seattle Strikers - 6
El Paso Walkers - 4
Honolulu Kamehamehas - 4
Iowa City Hawkeyes - 4
Little Rock Riddlers - 4
Houston Hot Dogs - 4
Syracuse Nationals - 3

All-Stars by Division
AL East - 11
NL South - 11
NL West - 10
AL South - 8
AL West - 8
NL North - 7
AL North - 3
NL East - 2

First Time All-Stars – American League

P - Francisco Tavarez (Doormats)
P - David Hudson (Nationals)
P - Max Almanza (Walkers)
P - Dave Weiss (Kamehamehas)
P - Gabriel Moreno (Screaming Babies)
P - Stan Smith (Walkers)
P - Kenshin Martin (Magnitude)
C - Theodore Sheldon (Rogues)
C - J.O. Valenzuela (Volcanoes)
1B - Dillon Osbourne (Doormats)
1B - Henderson Rolls (Nationals)
2B - Alex Valentin (Volcanoes)
SS - Vic Torcato (Nationals)
SS - Torey Flores (Waiver Claims)
CF - Robert Payton (Oracles)
RF - Tom Burch (Oracles)
DH - Mark Payton (Kamehamehas)

First Time All-Stars – National League

P - Macbeth Raines (Hot Dogs)
P - Rusney Alvarez (Riddlers)
P - Rob Taylor (Strikers)
P - Miguel Ibarra (Phillies)
P - Rondell Maday (Hot Dogs)
P - Arismendy Rijo (Sound Puget)
P - Danny Brede (Hot Dogs)
P - Tony Lecuona (Strikers)
P - Don Cheung (Tornadoes)
C - Danry Polanco (Hawkeyes)
1B - Nick Simmons (Hawkeyes)
2B - Juan Carlos Guzman (Strikers)
2B - Reymond Aparicio (Sound Puget)
SS - Al Javier (Komodo Dragons)

All-Stars Making Their 5th Appearance or Greater
P - Alex James (Walkers) - 12th Appearance
P - Dillon Abbott (Strikers) - 9th Appearance
RF - Roy Wilson (Juice) - 9th Appearance
3B - Jairo Cedeno (Hawkeyes) - 8th Appearance
2B - Naoki Martin (Corduroy) - 7th Appearance
C - Nash Cone (Tornadoes) - 7th Appearance
P - Omar Mercedes (Strikers) - 6th Appearance
3B - Julian Santana (Riddlers) - 6th Appearance
RF - John Rivera (Riddlers) - 6th Appearance
P - Bert Jordan (Thunder) - 5th Appearance
CF - Del Doyle (Kamehamehas) - 5th Appearance
LF - Abraham Logan (Nice for What) - 5th Appearance

All-Stars Who Are 24 Years Old or Younger
RF - Tom Burch (Oracles) - 21 Years Old
2B - Alex Valentin (Volcanoes) - 22
P - Arismendy Rijo (Sounds Puget) - 22
P - Kenshin Martin (Magnitude) - 23
SS - Torey Flores (Waiver Claims) - 23
P - Macbeth Raines (Hot Dogs) - 23
P - Rondell Maday (Hot Dogs) - 23
2B - Reymond Aparicio (Sounds Puget) - 23
P - Max Almanza (Walkers) - 24
P - Don Cheung (Tornadoes) - 24
C - Danry Polanco (Hawkeyes) - 24

Highest Paid All-Stars
3B - Jairo Cedeno (Hawkeyes) - $30,000,000
P - Gabriel Moreno (Screaming Babies) - $22,250,000
P - Omar Mercedes (Strikers) - $20,000,000
P - Greg Lamb (Hawkeyes) - $15,800,000
RF - Roy Wilson (Juice) - $15,500,000
P - Cleatus Lundquist (Blizzard) - $10,750,000

"Diamond in the Rough" All-Stars
P - Benny Caminiti (Jaggernauts) - 3rd Appearance
P - David Hudson (Nationals)
P - Dave Weiss (Kamehamehas)

S38 DS Playoff Capsules

#1 Kansas City Yardbirds (93-69) vs. #4 Florida Freaks (84-78)
Season Series: Kansas City Won 6-4

Kansas City		Florida
Owner: holleybard		Owner: flyairbourne
Recent Playoff Appearances		Recent Playoff Appearances
S37: no appearance		S37: lost in AL Play-In (as Nashville)
S36: lost in World Series		S36: lost in ALCS (as Nashville)
AL Team Rankings		AL Team Rankings
Runs Scored: 813 (5th)		Runs Scored: 850 (4th)
Team ERA: 4.45 (9th)		Team ERA: 4.28 (5th)
Fielding %: .985 (9th)		Fielding %: .981 (15th)
Award Nominees & All-Stars		Award Nominees & All-Stars
LF - Felipe Osoria: MVP Finalist, Silver Slugger, All-Star		P - Alex James: FOY Nominee, All-Star
P - Marcus Ledee: All-Star		SS - Cristobal Izquierdo: Silver Slugger
P - Noel Lima: All-Star		CF - Sidney Zagone: Silver Slugger
1B - Rickie Halama: All-Star		LF - Daryle Swann: Gold Glove, ROY Finalist
3B - Hugh Patterson: All-Star		RF - Eduardo Aguilar: ROY Finalist

#2 Omaha Oracles (90-72) vs. #6 Milwaukee Magnitude (87-75)
Season Series: Tied 5-5

Omaha		Milwaukee
Owner: npbed		Owner: horvie78
Recent Playoff Appearances		Recent Playoff Appearances
S37: no appearance		S37: lost in ALCS
S36: no appearance		S36: lost in ALDS
AL Team Rankings		AL Team Rankings
Runs Scored: 732 (12th)		Runs Scored: 781 (10th)
Team ERA: 3.59 (1st)		Team ERA: 4.07 (3rd)
Fielding %: .987 (3rd)		Fielding %: .986 (8th)
Award Nominees & All-Stars		Award Nominees & All-Stars
P - Rondell Collins: All-Star		P - Yoshinori Zhou: Cy Young Finalist, All-Star
P - Dillon Abbott: All-Star, FOY Finalist		DH - Vince Tollberg: Silver Slugger
P - Renyel Gonzalez: All-Star		LF - Cookie Tapia: Impact Player
P - Joely Hiller: ROY Finalist		RF - Michael Chong: Impact Player
1B - Francisco Cervantes: Impact Player		P - Alex Espinosa: Impact Player

#1 Louisville ARF ARF ARF ARF's (102-60) vs. #4 Albuquerque Komodo Dragons (75-87)
Season Series: Louisville Won 6-4

Louisville		Albuquerque
Owner: Arfy		Owner: csudak
Recent Playoff Appearances		Recent Playoff Appearances
S37: lost in NLDS		S37: lost in NLDS
S36: no appearance		S36: lost in NLCS
NL Team Rankings		NL Team Rankings
Runs Scored: 769 (1st)		Runs Scored: 675 (8th)
Team ERA: 3.33 (3rd)		Team ERA: 3.97 (10th)
Fielding %: .989 (1st)		Fielding %: .986 (8th)
Award Nominees & All-Stars		Award Nominees & All-Stars
P - Randall Hundley: All-Star		RF - Harry Pizzaro: All-Star
P - Edgmer Bournigal: All-Star, ROY Finalist		P - Rey Prior: Impact Player
C - Louie Seanez: All-Star, Silver Slugger		P - Wilt Sizemore: Impact Player
2B - Jairo Cedeno: All-Star		SS - Andres Oliva: Impact Player
P - Pasqual Feliz: ROY Finalist		LF - Vicente Palmeiro: Impact Player

#2 Cincinnati Firestorm (99-63) vs. #3 Iowa City Hawkeyes (96-66)
Season Series: Iowa City Won 6-4

Cincinnati		Iowa City
Owner: jbburner		Owner: tk21775
Recent Playoff Appearances		Recent Playoff Appearances
S37: lost in NL Play-In		S37: no appearance
S36: lost in NL Play-In		S36: no appearance
NL Team Rankings		NL Team Rankings
Runs Scored: 763 (2nd)		Runs Scored: 657 (10th)
Team ERA: 3.65 (5th)		Team ERA: 3.02 (1st)
Fielding %: .983 (13th)		Fielding %: .988 (2nd)
Award Nominees & All-Stars		Award Nominees & All-Stars
3B - Sherm Springer: All-Star, Gold Glove		3B - Santo Herrera: MVP Finalist
C - Tomas Urena: All-Star		P - Travis Morris: Cy Young Finalist, All-Star, SS
P - Rickey Percival: Impact Player		1B - Billy Long: ROY Finalist
P - Charles Punto: Impact Player		LF - Stan Stroud: All-Star
1B - Harley Rose: Impact Player		P - Omar Mercedes: Impact Player

Season 38 All-Star Blog

Season 38 Midseason Classic
The Pine-Tar Season 38 All-Star Game took place a few weeks ago, where the American League was victorious over the National League by a score of 6-2.  23 year-old Ralph Rekar (Boston) earned the MVP honors thanks to his 2-run homer in the 2nd inning, which helped to give Boise pitcher Eddie Plant the win.  In other All-Star weekend festivities, Atlanta youngster Roy Wilson defeated Cincinnati's Sherm Springer in the finals of the Home Run Derby, and last season's highest paid International Free Agent Albert Ayala (San Francisco) was MVP of the Futures Game.

There was plenty of talent on show from the Midwest, as Kansas City and St. Louis tied for producing the most all-stars at 5 apiece.  The lists below highlight first time all-stars, youngest all-stars, veteran all-stars, highest paid all-stars, and the four "diamond in the rough" all-stars.

Teams with the most All-Star selections:

Kansas City Yardbirds - 5
St. Louis Miracles - 5
Syracuse Orange - 4
New York Sultans of Swat - 4
Philadelphia Moneymakers - 4
Louisville ARF ARF ARF ARF's - 4
Dover Dinklebergs - 3
Boston Screaming Babies - 3
Omaha Oracles - 3
Pawtucket Patriots - 3
Atlanta Apaches - 3

Teams with zero All-Star selections:

Chicago Black Sox
Tampa Bay Thunder
El Paso Walkers
Wichita Tornadoes
Houston Hot Dogs
Seattle Strikers

All-Stars by Division
AL East - 12
NL North - 10
NL East - 10
AL North - 9
AL West - 7
NL South - 6
NL West - 4
AL South - 2

*Links are posted - click on an individual player's name to open their HBD profile
First Time All-Stars – American League

P - Noel Lima (Yardbirds)
P - Michel Lopez (Sultans of Swat)
P - Tim Darnell (Sultans of Swat)
P - Renyel Gonzalez (Oracles)
C - Xander Merced (Orange)
C - Dee Dee Kelly (Iron Horseman)
1B - Joe Montgomery (Dinklebergs)
3B - Bartolo James (Screaming Babies)
SS - Sam Bryant (Blues)
CF - Julio Fuentes (Dinklebergs)
RF - Andy Matzek (Doormats)
DH - Phillip Braun (Orange)

First Time All-Stars – National League

P - Cole Hudson (Miracles)
P - Ji-Man Saitou (Apaches)
P - Eric Bradley (Patriots)
P - Edgmer Bournigal (ARF ARF ARF ARF's)
P - Andrew Allen (Flying Squirrels)
P - Darron Stewart (Prairie Dogs)
C - Tomas Urena (Firestorm)
LF - Stan Stroud (Hawkeyes)
CF - Ewell Tenbrink (Miracles)

All-Stars Making Their 5th Appearance or Greater
RF - Eugenio Canseco (Screaming Babies) - 10th Appearance
P - Yoshinori Zhou (Magnitude) - 9th
3B - Bartolo Ortiz (Journey) - 9th
P - Alex James (Freaks) - 8th
LF - Roger Byrne (Sultans of Swat) - 8th
SS - Lefty Twitchell (Volcanoes) - 7th
P - Moises Olmedo (Apaches) - 7th
CF - Fernando Espinosa (Orange) - 6th
P - Richard Huang (Sultans of Swat) - 5th
P - Benny Villano (Dinklebergs) - 5th
3B - Hugh Patterson (Yardbirds) - 5th
RF - Harry Pizzaro (Komodo Dragons) - 5th

All-Stars Who Are 24 Years Old or Younger
P - Noel Lima (Yardbirds) - 23
P - Renyel Gonzalez (Oracles) - 22
P - Ralph Wood (Moneymakers) - 22
P - Edgmer Bournigal (ARF ARF ARF ARF's) - 24
P - Andrew Allen (Flying Squirrels) - 23
1B - Victor Cortes (Moneymakers) - 24
2B - Ralph Rekar (Screaming Babies) - 23
2B - John Rivera (Orange) - 24
2B - Jairo Cedeno (ARF ARF ARF ARF's) - 23
3B - Bartolo James (Screaming Babies) - 22
LF - Roy Wilson (Apaches) - 24

Highest Paid All-Stars
RF - Eugenio Canseco (Screaming Babies) - $30,000,000
P - Yoshinori Zhou (Magnitude) - $20,000,000
P - Rondell Collins (Oracles) - $20,000,000
1B - Joe Montgomery (Dinklebergs) - $20,000,000
P - Randall Hundley (ARF ARF ARF ARF's) - $15,000,000
CF - Julio Fuentes (Dinklebergs) - $14,000,000
2B - Ricardo Sosa (Moneymakers) - $12,000,000
LF - Felipe Osoria (Yardbirds) - $10,000,000

"Diamond in the Rough" All-Stars
P - Tim Darnell (Sultans of Swat)
P - Stewart Cradle (Miracles)
C - Xander Merced (Orange)
C - Tomas Urena (Firestorm)

American League All-Youth Team - Season 37

Below is my top team of 30 American League players currently on MLB rosters who are 25 years-old or younger.  These are based on my opinion.  Some positions were more competitive than others.  I tried to put players in the position where they played the most games last season, but did move a few players around.  Although statistics are listed, ratings were a major factor in determining the team.  If you think somebody got snubbed, feel free to discuss on the message board.

It's always fun to look back...below are links to previous All-Youth teams:

Season 32 - American League

Season 32 - National League

Season 29 - American League

Season 29 - National League

Season 37 American League All-Youth Team

Captains:

William Nakano (3B): This 25 year-old Chicago third baseman has a unique combination of speed and power, as he hit 34 homeruns and swiped 50 bases last season.  His outstanding performance during the past seasons earned him two All-Star selections and three Silver Slugger awards.  In the field, Nakano’s 91 glove rating makes it extremely difficult for groundballs to get past him.  He was acquired as an international free agent for the bargain price of $13 million by owner skuff730 during season 31.

Cookie Tapia (LF/1B): At 25 years-old, Tapia has become the top offensive weapon in the Milwaukee lineup.  His exceptional blend of hitting and power have allowed him to bat .300 with at-least 40 homeruns and 110 RBIs in each of the past two seasons.  Tapia’s performance helped lead Milwaukee to an AL North division title and first-round bye last season.  He was originally signed as an IFA by Wichita for $14.7 million in season 33 and dealt to Milwaukee for Ben Boyer and a prospect during the following season.

Richard Huang (Closer): This 24 year-old New York closer has already established himself as one of the best in the league.  His 138 saves over three seasons have earned him three All-Star appearances, two Fireman of the Year awards, and a share of the Pine Tar single season saves record (54).  Huang’s velocity, control, and great splits helped him dominate opposing hitters last season, as he allowed them to bat only .169 while he registered a 0.84 WHIP.  He has helped lead New York and owner bluenoser44 to three consecutive AL East division titles.  Huang was also acquired as a season 31 IFA for the price of $21.1 million.

The Team: 

(Click on a player’s name to view their HBD profile)

C:

Yunel Brito (Omaha): .333 OBP, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 39% CS%

Diego Tocci (Colorado Springs): .286 OBP, 17 HR, 57 RBI, 80+ Arm & PC

C/DH- Akinori Kawakami (New York): .376 OBP, 17 HR, 62 RBI, 4.27 cERA

1B:

Alen Moore (Colorado Springs): .326 OBP, 35 HR, 117 RBI

Juan Caminero (Salem): .378 OBP, 15 HR, 58 RBI

2B:

Victor Lee (Omaha): .374 OBP, 13 HR, 88 RBI, 28 SB, .982 FP

Tyler Hood (Charlotte): .331 OBP, 24 HR, 73 RBI, .977 FP

SS:

Dustan Fletcher (El Paso): .296 OBP, 20 HR, 73 RBI, 21 Plus Plays, .976 FP

Karim Quintana (Milwaukee): .340 OBP, 12 HR, 73 RBI, .972 FP

3B:

*William Nakano (Chicago): .347 OBP, 34 HR, 96 RBI, 50 SB, 91 Glove

Ralph Rekar (Boston): .373 OBP, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 9 Plus Plays

CF:

Naoki Martin (Tampa Bay): Rookie - 95 Range, 90 Speed, 79 Contact, 71 Eye

Norman Sanford (Boston): .320 OBP, 22 HR, 70 RBI

LF:

*Cookie Tapia (Milwaukee): .380 OBP, 44 HR, 120 RBI

John Rivera (Syracuse): .337 OBP, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 18 SB (in 40 Games)

Rafael Valdes (Tampa Bay): Rookie – 79 Contact, 88 vR, 79 Eye, 92 Speed

RF:

Nolan Thompson (El Paso): .362 OBP, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 13 Plus Plays

Benny Reyes (Boise): .348 OBP, 38 HR, 103 RBI

DH:

Miguel Uribe (Chicago): .354 OBP, 45 HR, 116 RBI

Michael Seung (Tampa Bay): .407 OBP, 17 HR, 54 RBI, S36 ROY

Starting Pitchers:

Dale Gaudin (Dover): 13-13, 3.48 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .312 oOBP, 3 CG

Hub Winkler (Boston): 12-8, 3.51 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .324 oOBP, 99 GB/FB

Esmerling Crespo (El Paso): 10-15, 3.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .296 oOBP, 3 CG

Barry Rivers (Omaha): 7-8, 3.52 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .299 oOBP

B.C. Nunez (Charlotte): Rookie – 87 Stamina, 84 vR, 75 GB/FB, 77 P1/P2

Omar Franco (Kansas City): 10-7, 4.25 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, .340 oOBP, S35 ROY

Jerry Corino (New York): 7-10, 4.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .314 oOBP

Relief Pitchers:

*Richard Huang (New York): 44 Saves, 2.75 ERA, .234 oOBP, 0.84 WHIP

Tomas Cora (Omaha): 73 Appearances, 6-3, 2.89 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .274 oOBP

John Carter (Milwaukee): 43 Appearances, 3.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .326 oOBP

* = captain

Honorable Mention:

C Adrian Grace (Salem), C Deven Beltre (Syracuse), 1B Ramon Inouoe (New York), 2B Wilking Peralta (Colorado Springs), 3B Daniel Mulholland (Milwaukee), 3B Leury Amador (Tampa Bay), SS Daniel Ratliff (Chicago), DH Rob Thomas (Durham), P Chone Waltman (Colorado Springs)