Ty Wigginton, come on down!! You’re the latest player to benefit from the generosity of Major League Baseball which must select at least one player from every team to participate in the All Star Game.
Is Wiggy the most deserving Orange Bird? Let’s take a look:
Nick Markakis leads the team with a respectable .307 average, but his paltry 4 HR and 27 RBI wouldn’t give him the nod in an already crowded American League outfield, and the same can be said for Adam Jones, who has been on fire of late. Phenom catcher Matt Wieters is only hitting .236 on the season, and the AL already has Joe Mauer, Victor Martinez and John Buck.
When Luke Scott is on fire, he’s nearly impossible to get out. Unfortunately for him and the Orioles, those week – week and a half streaks don’t make up for his monthly disappearances.
Brian Matusz (photo by Shawn Levin)
So, that leaves us with Wiggy. On the year, Wigginton is hitting only .246 but his 14 HR and 43 RBI lead the team. Those numbers alone won’t get you on the All Star roster, but when you combine those numbers with his ability to play every position under the sun, Baltimore now has their All Star.
So wear that American League uniform proudly Ty, as we all know you will. Show the rest of the baseball world what the Orioles are capable of!
Who’s hot: Corey Patterson had himself quite a nice week. Hitting .417 with a HR and 3 RBI will usually land you on this list. Markakis again had himself a nice week, hitting .318 with a HR and 3 RBI. Brian Matusz also had a great week, going 1-1 for his two starts and allowing only three runs in 13.1 innings, plus had his best start of the year, shutting down the Red Sox lineup en route to an Orioles win.
I would like to mention this next name with a slight side note…Luke Scott…. Scott hit a great pinch hit HR to help the Orioles beat the Athletics, but as he rounded first base he pulled his hamstring and is now on the 15-day DL. Unfortunately, he was starting to heat up Luke Scott style, but now we will have to wait until he heals.
Who’s not: Jeremy Guthrie, not so good. Lasting only four innings and giving up six runs usually lands you here, as would giving up seven runs in only 1.2 IP, a la Frank Mata. And even though he is the lone All-Star, Wigginton had a miserable week, hitting .042 on the week, going 1 for 24. Hopefully hanging out around other All Stars will rub off on him and he will catch fire soon.
That’s all for now! Hopefully everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend!
P.S. – Mike Gonzalez…please take your time coming back!!!!
—by Andy Mindzak
