Tonight is the All Star game which means it is the perfect time to reflect on the first half of the 2019 MLB season. Unfortunately, as a Red Sox fan this reflection does not conjure up happy memories of this season so far. So, I am going to take off my Boston goggles and reflect upon the rest of the league. Here are my 5 reasons why the 2019 baseball season has been a blast.
1. Vlad Jr. Baby
As a 25 year old I grew up playing backyard homerun derby emulating one player and one player only. Mr Ken Griffey Jr. Countless summer afternoons were spent flipping my hat backwards and wagging my hands in an attempt to copy the sweet swing of the kid. (When I wanted to feel like Sosa, McGwire, or Bonds, I broke out the aluminum bat with a tennis ball and let that baby fly like I had some extra juice going on if you know what I mean). After last nights derby the next generation of baseball fans will be emulating Vlad Jr.
Watching Vlad Jr. hit absolute taters generally put a childlike grin on my face and had me glued to the television. It was absolutely infatuating watching Vlad hit such majestic moonshots over and over and over again. At the end of the day, it does not matter that he (Or Joc Pederson for that matter) did not take home the victory, the 20 year old created an iconic baseball moment that kids will be reenacting for years to come.
At only 20 years old Vlad is such a fun young star for the MLB. Guerrero is a player that is worth box score watching for. If he goes deep it is a must see event. If the Blue Jays come to town the chance to see young Vlad makes a ticket to the game a must. Ask yourself, if you could go back in time and watch Ken Griffey Jr. in 1990 would you? Well, don’t miss on this opportunity and watch Vlad Jr. any chance you can. Vlad Jr. is one of the many reasons this has been a great season so far!
2. Kolten Wong’s Razzle Dazzle.
Many people complain that baseball is too slow, and boring. However, they do not see the perfect drama the pace of baseball creates allowing for truly breathtaking moments to feel that much greater. Watching what appeared to be a routine inning between the Angels and the Cardinals quickly turned into one of the most exciting plays I have seen. Kolten Wong’s unbelievable double play is yet another reason why this has been a great MLB season.
3. Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich Having Historic Seasons
As a baseball fan I have often wondered what it would have been like to follow some of the most legendary players in their most historic seasons, such as Willie Mays in 55′, Stan Musial in 48′, and the great Yaz in 67′ . Well, we are watching two players, in Bellinger and Yelich, have these types of historic seasons. Bellinger has slugged 30 homers and is hitting an impressive .336 while Yelich has cranked 31 big flys while hitting .329. According to fangraph’s Dan Syzmborski both players are projected to finish with 47 homers, but myself and many others believe they will both easily crack the 50 mark. To add some perspective to this season, lets compare what these two are doing with one of the greatest players to ever play the game, the true home run king Hank Aaron. In 1957, Hammering Hank cranked 44 home runs, won the N.L. M.V.P. and put together a slash line (Batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage) of 322/378/600. Cody Bellinger has 30 home runs at the break (with a predicted 47) and has a slash line of 336/432/692, and Christian Yelich has 31 home runs (with a predicted 47) and has a slash line of 329/433/707. Now lets not get ahead of ourselves and claim Yelich and Bellinger are better than Hank Aaron or even having better seasons than his 1957 campaign. But, if they can continue this pace we are witnessing two historic individual offensive seasons. These two will battle it out for both the M.V.P. and the triple crown during the second half of the season and I am generally excited to see who will come out on top. If we really want to compare Bellinger and Yelich’s seasons to Aaron’s then success in the postseason will be a key factor. Aaron lead the Braves to a world series victory over the Yankees hitting .393 with 3 dingers. We will see which one of these super stars can complete their heroic seasons with success in the post season.
4. Luis Castillo, Yasiel Puig, and the Long Shot Cincinnati Reds
Before opening day I decided to go out on a limb and predict the Cincinnati Reds would win the N.L Pennant. Was this a great prediction….no, but you know what they are only 4.5 games back in the N.L. central so you gotta believe in the big red machine. One of the reasons the Reds are such a blast to watch is Luis Castillo. The 26 year old is one of the most exciting young pitchers in the league who has an absolutely filthy change up. I’m talking this is a dangle the carrot in front of the donkey and pull the string nasty change up. Castillo has earned 8 wins, a 2.23 era (second best in the N.L.) and a trip to his first all star game. If you are looking for a young exciting pitcher Castillo is the man to check out.
Now Castillo is a blast to watch, but the true electric factory for the Cincinnati Reds is the “Wild Horse”. Yasiel Puig is must watch television. Whether he is playing a game in a sleeveless jersey, licking his bat, or trying to fight everyone wearing an opposite colored jersey you never know what Puig will do next. All in all, he is having a solid year with 20 home runs at the break. If the Reds are going to make a run at the postseason expect Puig to be a key contributing factor.
5. Hunter Pence and the Early Bird Special Texas Rangers
In early February the Texas Rangers signed Hunter Pence to a minor league contract. Given this opportunity Pence did what he has done his entire career…worked harder than everyone else and proved all of his doubter wrong. This is the story of the 2019 Texas Rangers, they are proving the doubters wrong with a group of veteran players making a final run at the world series. Along with the 36 year old Pence, the Rangers are composed of a group of old guys including the 32 year old Lance Lynn who is leading the A.L. with 11 wins, the 36 year old Shin Soo Choo who is hitting a solid .288 with 13 home runs, 33 year old Asdrubal Cabrera who is still an everyday player with 45 RBI at the break, and the ageless Jeff Mathis… yes Jeff Mathis is still kicking. The Rangers also roster 35 year old Jesse Chavez, 35 year old Shawn Kelly and Mike Minor who is only 31 but looks like he is about 47. The Rangers are a few grey hairs away from opening a full blown retirement community but never the less they are 6 games over .500 and only 3 games out of the wild card race. Maybe just maybe the Ole Texas Rangers have one more run left in them…if only they still had Bartolo.
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