"The Fort" has raised his batting average by 50 points since June 25, driven in 11 runs over that span as well.

It is July 5, do you know where your Pittsburgh Pirates are?

How about sitting at the top of the N.L. Central standings, a full game up on the rival Cincinnati Reds.  The Pirates are in first place, ladies and gentlemen.

On May 23, the Pirates were sitting at 20-24 after losing a home series to the New York Mets and sat 5.0 games out in the division.  Many fans were beginning to lose faith in the team, still stinging from the horrific downward spiral the Bucs went through during the second half of 2011.  Since that night, the Pirates have simply been one of the best teams in all of baseball, posting a 25-12 record.  They flirted with first place on June 10, only to go on a road trip to Baltimore where they would be swept in a three-game series by the Orioles.  During that series at Camden Yards, the Pirates pitching staff gave up 27 runs, with Brad Lincoln, Eric Bedard, and Kevin Correia all having bad outings that resulting in losses.  That series could have been a turning point for the Pirates, as they then had to go to Cleveland for another Interleague series.  Instead, the Bucs took two of three from the Tribe – kick-starting the offense in the process.  When the dust settles on the 2012 season, the series in Cleveland may be looked back on as the moment that this team truly came together as a “band of brothers”.

With the All-Star break coming up next week, this edition of Pirates Smorgasbord will take a look at the factors that have thrust the Pirates into the national spotlight once again, as well as the many rumors that have begun to spring up surrounding the Bucs as they head into a second consecutive trade deadline season as buyers.  It’s a smorgasbord of Pirates information – a virtual potpourri of facts and opinions on baseball’s Cinderella of the season.

Drew Sutton celebrates his walk-off homerun that made the Pirates 8-7 winners over Houston this past Tuesday night.

Role Players making their presence felt

When fans look back at the Pirates three-peat N.L. East Championship teams of 1990-1992, many names stand out.  Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke, Drabek, Smiley, Bell – all names that immediately make us all think back to those grand years at Three Rivers Stadium.  However, for those fans who lived and died with those Pirates teams – myself included – we remember a few different names that were key pieces as well.

Espy, Varsho, Slaught, Redus, McClendon, Wilkerson, Reynolds – these were the role players that provided many heroic moments for the teams that won 95, 98, and 96 games during that run.  It seemed that every night, we were being treated to a clutch hit or great defensive play by one of these unsung Buccos.  The Sunday games – the day of the week where Jim Leyland would notoriously rest most of his stars – were full of bench players in the lineup, so if you ventured to Three Rivers Stadium to see the Bucs on a Sunday afternoon, chances are you would see Gary Redus somewhere on the infield.  The strategy worked, as the Pirates would usually get an outstanding performance by a reserve every weekend.

Clint Hurdle doesn’t quite have the same game plan for the current Bucs.  The skipper likes to move guys around in the batting order based on who is hot or match-up stats, but rarely does he sit more than one starter in a game.  As we get deeper into this season, players like Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker will need a day or two off to stay fresh.  Good thing for Hurdle that he has a bench full of players who can get the job done when duty calls.  As Drew Sutton proved this past week, there is something about putting on that black and gold jersey that just brings out the best ballplayer in everyone.

Baseball is truly a sport that embraces the team concept.  Over 162 games, every player on the 25-man roster will need to step up for his moment in the sun.  This season, it has been gritty bench players like Michael McKenry (#StarttheFORT) who have made us nostalgic for those early 90′s Pirates squads.  “The Fort” is clearly the backup to Rod Barajas, but with the veteran catcher dealing with some minor injuries lately, it has been McKenry who has firmly established his spot as the second backstop for the Bucs.  His current hot streak has keyed a few wins for the Pirates, and his team spirit is evident to anyone who watches this team on a daily basis.  Josh Harrison is another bench player who has been invaluable to the team, playing all over the infield and in both corner outfield spots.  He has played stellar defense, with only two errors in 51 games – even more notable when he check out his splits and realize that he has started games at five different positions in 2012.

Drew Sutton has technically been a Pirate twice this season, having been acquired in late May and then ending up in Tampa Bay, only to be reacquired on June 24.  While with the Rays, Sutton played first, second, and third base – then immediately became primarily an outfielder upon his return to the National League.  While his .387 BA in nine games for the Pirates has been superb, knowing Sutton can play every position on the diamond sans catcher is just as valuable to Hurdle.  Pirates fans were treated to the first walk off homer in the four year big league career of their newest player on Tuesday night, a 10th inning bomb to center field that sealed another win over the hapless Astros.

The acquisition of Casey McGehee has proven to be a nice move for the Pirates.  Despite a slow start with the bat, having McGehee around enabled Hurdle to give Pedro Alvarez the proper match-ups during his struggles.  Now that Alvarez has found his bat, McGehee has evolved into a super-sub player – and a nice luxury for Hurdle.  Garrett Jones has benefited greatly from the current roster alignment as well, and if he stays on his current pace, Jones could blast 25 homers in only 400 plate appearances.  The Jones/McGehee Frankenstein monster could end up with a .275/40/100 line if they stay the course, a stat line that some teams are paying up to $10 million per season to acquire.

If the 2012 Pirates end up playing in October, it will be in no small part to the contributions of McKenry, Sutton, Harrison, and McGehee.

SP Paul Maholm could be part of the Cubs firesale later this month.

Could Paul Maholm make a return to Pittsburgh this summer?

Paul Maholm spent seven respectable seasons in Pittsburgh, winning 53 games in his time as a Pirate.  This past offseason, the Bucs made a decision to not extend a team option for him that would have cost over $10 million.  He subsequently signed with the Chicago Cubs for $4.75 million with a 2013 option at $6.5 million, numbers that are not out of whack for an inning-eating veteran starter.  Maholm never played on a Pirates team that lost less than 90 games, and one could imagine that he is secretly cheering for the Bucs whenever the Cubs aren’t facing them.  The Pirates have always been blessed with players who understand the commitment to the community and impact they can have with their high profile careers, and Maholm was one of the best in Pittsburgh for his entire run here.  His donations of time and money to the Miracle League field program and many other various Pirates charities made him one of the most requested athletes in the city for these events.  Bottom line:  Paul Maholm was a complete professional who genuinely loved the city of Pittsburgh.

The 2012 season was going to be a rebuilding year for the Cubs and their new Theo Epstein-run front office.  They knew going in that they would be bad, but nobody on the North Side could have predicted the Cubbies to be THIS bad.  The team is in full-on firesale mode, and any player not named Starlin Castro or Anthony Rizzo is on the trading block.  This includes the veteran-laden starting rotation of Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Travis Wood, and Paul Maholm.  Garza will be a hot ticket at the trade deadline, and being that he is under contract for at least two more seasons at only 28-years old, he will command a significant return via highly-rated prospects.  The Pirates would be more apt to look at Dempster or Maholm, neither of whom would command a top-rated prospect return.

The idea of Paul Maholm coming back to Pittsburgh hasn’t been discussed too much in the local media, but the chances of it happening are real.  The Pirates starting rotation has been solid, with James McDonald, A.J. Burnett, and Jeff Karstens all with locked-down slots for the stretch run.  The wild cards are Eric Bedard, who has taken the loss in four of his last six starts and seems to have lost his command of the strike zone, and Kevin Correia.  Correia has pitched better of late, winning three of his last four starts and only giving up 2 earned runs in the other.  Correia has probably pitched his way back into the rotation for the rest of the season.  The Pirates will give Bedard a few more starts to sort out his issues, but there is always the chance of a looming injury with Bedard.  Having one more proven, back-of-the-rotation starter like Maholm could put the Pirates pitching staff over the hump.  Maholm has only thrown 89.2 IP in 2012, and if the Pirates were to bring him back in July, he could end up being a horse for them in a pennant race.  The Cubs will be looking for young, controllable talent.  The Pirates have a slew of young starting pitchers in Jeff Locke, Rudy Owens, and Justin Wilson who all appear ready for the big leagues, but are sandwiched between the Pirates current starts and a crop of future stars behind them.  These pitchers could be used as trade bait to require Paul Maholm, who would undoubtedly be thrilled to return to Pittsburgh in a season that could be historic.  Maholm has seen the underbelly of Pittsburgh baseball, the chance to see it at its best would be incentive enough for him to have one of his traditional “bulldog” runs where he is as good as any left-handed pitcher in the National League.

If Neil Huntington can get a deal done for Maholm and perhaps a spark-plug fourth outfielder like Reed Johnson, I could see the Pirates giving up Jeff Locke and perhaps Indianapolis first baseman Jeff Clement, who has seen his career reborn in 2012.  This would be a deal that could be done, while still allowing the Pirates to seriously consider a few of the “big time” trades we will discuss next.  Would you like to see Paul Maholm back in Pittsburgh?  Sound off in the comments section below.

Is Andrew McCutchen a legit N.L. MVP candidate? Yes, he is.

MVP?

The chants of “MVP MVP MVP” at PNC Park each time Andrew McCutchen enters the batting box may not the product of a pipe dream after all.  The Pirates All-Star center fielder is having a season that could end up being one of the best overall campaigns in the history of the Pirates.  Currently leading the N.L. with a .360 BA to go along with his 16 HR and 54 RBI, “Cutch” is on pace to not only hit 35 HR and drive in over 100 runs, he also has a legitimate shot at a 30/30 season and an outside shot at the elusive 40/40 season.  McCutchen currently has 14 stolen bases, so he would have to amp up that number to reach 40 steals.  His power seems to grow by the game, so hitting 40 home runs is not out of reach.  His other stats include a .412 OBP and a 1.022 OPS.  He could end up with over 30 doubles and double-digit triples.  Toss in the fact that he is a possible Gold Glove candidate as well, and you have one of the greatest seasons by any player – EVER.

Could Andrew McCutchen be in the discussion for the National league MVP award?  He should, and he will.  Keep the chants going at the ballpark, just in case.

Quick Hits

- Hearing the rumors that the Pirates could potentially be in on the trade discussions for the Phillies Cole Hamels or the Brewers Zack Greinke is exciting, but fans should temper their expectations.  The Pirates front office is not going to mortgage their future (Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Luis Heredia) for either Hamels or Greinke.  Both pitchers are three-month rentals and neither would be a high percentage play to resign long term in Pittsburgh.  As far as starting pitching goes, the Pirates should be looking at players such as Maholm or even Joe Blanton.  Both can be had fairly cheap, and both could possibly come in a package that would include either bullpen help or a significant upgrade to a bench slot.

-  Expect to hear the names Jeff Locke, Rudy Owens, Justin Wilson, Bryan Morris, Daniel McCutchen, Duke Welker, Jeff Clement, Matt Hague, Gorkys Hernandez, and Alex Presley in any potential trade rumors for the Bucs.

-  The Pirates had at least five legitimate All Star candidates, and will be represented by two players – McCutchen and Joel Hanrahan.  A.J. Burnett, James McDonald, and Jason Grilli all had the stats to make the game, but were not selected.  It makes you wonder if the “fan vote” has overstayed its welcome when a guy like McCutchen is not in the starting lineup, despite being the hottest player in all of baseball throughout the first half.

- The Pirates are 10 games over .500 as of tonight’s win and sweep of the four-game series against Houston.  Get used to the phrase “first time since 1992″ because everything the Bucs do from this point out will be described in that context.

- C Rod Barajas was once again scratched from the lineup tonight due to an injury.  With Eric Fryer up in the majors and Michael McKenry playing like a starter, now would be the time for the Bucs to give Barajas a vacation on the 15-day DL.  The 36-year old catcher has played in 100 games only four times in his 14-year career.  He will need to have time off to get to the finish line.

-  2B Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 9 games tonight, and has raised his batting average from .263 to .275 during this stretch.  Walker hit .296 in 2010 before regressing back to .273 last season.  Ultimately, he should be right in the middle of those two numbers – .280.  If Walker can consistently hit .280 with 10-15 homeruns and 80 RBI, he will always be ranked in the top 10 second baseman in the game.

- The demotion of OF Jose Tabata to Indianapolis this week was a long time coming.  Tabata has looked simply awful in the field, taking bad routes to balls and seemingly pulling up on fly balls that look like they could have been caught.  At the plate, he seemed to be starting to find his stroke.  He will play both RF and LF at Indy and work on his conditioning, which has been an issue for him since last summer.  Tabata is only 23-years old and fans tend to forget that he only racked up 442 total plate appearances at the AAA level before being promoted to Pittsburgh.  He may need a full 2-3 months at Indianapolis to get back on track, hopefully in time to contribute to a Pirates pennant chase in September.

That’s it for this extended edition of Pirates Smorgasbord.  The Bucs end the first half of 2012 with a tough three-game series against the San Francisco Giants in a battle of division leaders, however they will miss Giants ace Matt Cain in the series – a definite plus.  Enjoy the All Star game and break, folks.  Next week we will be back to start what could be the most historic half-season of baseball in Pittsburgh Pirates history.

————————————————————————–

You can follow Jeff Snedden on Twitter @jeffsnedden

You can follow Jeff Snedden on Facebook.

Does "The Hammer" make this years ALL-SNEDDEN team? Read on...

With 2012 All-Star voting coming to an end, it is time to name the next group of players to join the uber-exclusive club known as the 2012 ALL-SNEDDEN N.L. All Star Team.  My annual selection of the most deserving players for the Mid-Summer Classic is based on one thing, and one thing only: Merit.  There are no feel-good entries here, no veteran/future Hall of Famer token players.  Big market and small market does not exist in this world.  The ALL-SNEDDEN All Star Team is all about the men who deserve to be in Kansas City in a few weeks to represent baseball and its fans in the best All Star game played by any of the four major professional sports leagues.

Today, I will announce my National League ALL-SNEDDEN All Stars, which include three very deserving Buccos.

The rules for the roster of the ALL-SNEDDEN team are as follows (slightly different than the MLB roster set-up):

- Each team must be represented by AT LEAST one player.

- NO TEAM can have MORE than THREE total players on the roster.

- Rosters are 35-man rosters.

So without further ado – and because I know how filled with anticipation you all are to hear what a virtually unknown blogger for a middling website thinks about the All Star Game – I give you, The 2012 ALL-SNEDDEN National League All Star Team.

Starting Lineup (Including DH in American League Park)

Catcher:  Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Phillies – Ruiz has had by far the best overall season by a National League catcher, and his offense has carried the Phillies through the injuries to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.  While he was always a nice little player, the gritty Ruiz has turned into a phenomenal hitter in 2012, hitting .364 with 11 homers and 43 RBI.  His OPS is a staggering 1.021.

First Baseman:  Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds – Votto is a machine.  The heart and soul of the Slightly Smaller Red Machine, Votto has been an extra-base monster in 2012.  He currently has 32 doubles on the season to add to his .353 BA, 14 homeruns, and 47 RBI.  His OBP is .478, and he walks more than any player in the game.  Votto is an MVP candidate, and should be filling this spot in many All Star games to come.

Second Baseman:  Jose Altuve, Houston Astros – The shortest player in MLB at 5’5″, Altuve has been a very bright spot in an otherwise dismal final National League season for the Astros.  Altuve was handed the starting job in the spring, and he has not looked back.  Hitting .309 with 27 extra-base hits, including five homeruns and four triples, Altuve is also a threat on the basepaths – swiping 12 bases.  When Houston heads over to the junior circuit in 2013, they will be led by this 22-year old phenom.

Third Baseman:  David Wright, New York Mets – The five-time All Star makes his sixth appearance based off of an incredible comeback season.  After an injury-riddled 2011 scared Mets fans into thinking their franchise player was starting to fade, Wright has come back with a vengeance in 2012.  His .357 average and 47 RBI have been key reasons for the Mets shocking run at the N.L. East this year.  Wright was hitting over .400 well into May, and returns to the All Star Game in 2012.

Shortstop:  Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs – There hasn’t been much to cheer about on the North Side this year, but the 22-year old Castro has at least given the Wrigley faithful a reason to keep showing up. When a rumor circled earlier this season about the availability of Castro on the trade market, the Cubs had drooling General Managers from all over the league calling their offices. The odds of Castro ending up anywhere but Wrigley Field are slim – although the dreams about him wearing Black and Gold still wake me up at night – and the Cubs will be represented well by their shortstop for the second straight year.  Hitting .301 with six homeruns and 39 RBI for a potential 100-loss team, Castro has the potential to be one of the top players in the game for years to come.

Outfielder:  Melky Cabrera, San Francisco Giants – The veteran Cabrera is playing with his fourth club in four seasons, and at 27-years old he is enjoying the best season of his career for the Giants.  Acquired by San Francisco after a solid season with the Royals in 2011, Cabrera has become the catalyst of a much-improved offense.  His .351 average leads all major league outfielders, and his 106 hits leads the entire league.  A much-deserved All Star nod for a very underrated ballplayer.

Outfielder:  Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals – Where would the Cardinals be had they not signed Beltran this past winter?  After losing Albert Pujols in free agency, the Redbirds were desperate to add pop to their lineup.  They took a flyer on Beltran, who had not enjoyed an injury-free season since 2008.  The 35-year old veteran has responded nicely to his new surroundings, and is on pace for his best offensive season since hitting a career-high 41 homeruns for the Mets in 2006.  His .312/20/59 line has him leading the league in homers and RBI, and he has been the anchor in a St. Louis lineup that has battled injuries all season.  Beltran returns to the All Star Game for the sixth time in his 15-year career.

Outfielder:  Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates are once again scaring the National League as first-half contenders, and everything this team does right revolves around “Cutch”.  The numbers say it all:  .342 average, 14 homeruns, 48 RBI, 14 stolen bases, .456 average against left-handed pitching, .397 with RISP.  Those are MVP-type numbers right there, and more than deserving of a spot in the starting outfield for this All Star team.  The last Pirates outfielder to start a Mid-Summer Classic was Andy Van Slyke in 1993, I would say it is safe to assume that reign will end for “Slick” very soon.

Designated Hitter:  Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers – Since 2010, the DH has been used in the All Star Game regardless of where it is being played.  This allows the National League to add another big bat to their lineup, and this year it means adding the controversial Ryan Braun.  Braun, who became the first MLB player to successfully challenge a positive drug test result this winter, has responded to his critics by getting right back to form this season.  Hitting .311 with 20 longballs and 52 RBI for the disappointing Brewers, Braun has done all he can to offset the loss of first baseman Prince Fielder to free agency.  He is well on pace to another .300/30/100 season after winning the NL MVP in 2011.

Starting Pitcher:  R.A. Dickey, New York Mets – A truly remarkable story has unfolded for the Mets knuckleballer in 2012.  Dickey is leading the league in wins, has three complete games, two one-hitters, and a 2.31 ERA.  Opposing hitters are managing just a .196 batting average against him, and his control has been amazing – his .91 WHIP is second only to Matt Cain amongst starting pitchers.  There are quite a few pitchers having great seasons in the National League, but the improbability of a 37-year old journeyman having this kind of success is worthy of a start in the All Star Game.  With a knuckleball that is as unpredictable as his career path, the story of R.A. Dickey may only be beginning.

Mets SP R.A. Dickey is 11-1 with a 2.31 ERA so far in 2012.

Bench Players

C – Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals – Molina makes his forth All Star appearance, hitting .316/12/44 and once again having a tremendous season behind the plate.

C – Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants – After missing most of 2011 with an injury, Posey is back in form.  Hitting.300 with 40 RBI and adding first base to his defensive flexibility.

1B – Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks – The 24-year old Goldschmidt is coming into his own after a tough April, battling back up to a .285 batting average.  His raw power should develop into 40+ homeruns a season very soon.

1B – Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals – The usually slow-starting LaRoche has had the best first-half of his nine-year career, leading the first place Nationals with 15 homeruns and 47 RBI, earning his first All Star nod.

2B – Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds – Phillips will never be a popular selection outside of Cincinnati, but he continues to be a force for the Reds.  He is hitting .289 and his 46 RBI lead all NL second basemen.

3B – David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals – The World Series hero has continued to build on his success, leading third basemen with 47 RBI and hitting .285 as the new king of St. Louis.

3B – Chase Headley, San Diego Padres – The only legitimate offensive threat for San Diego has his statistics numbed down by PetCo Park.  He has been on-base in all but eight games in 2012, and leads the Friars with 37 RBI.

SS – Jed Lowrie, Houston Astros – Houston has both of their middle infielders on the All Star team for the first time since 1970.  Lowrie is leading the team with 14 homeruns and is putting together a fantastic first season for the Astros.

OF – Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers – Ethier has kept the Dodgers afloat without Matt Kemp around, and his team-leading 55 RBI is twice as many as any other player on the club.  He is an All Star for the third time.

OF – Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies – Car-Go simply rakes, with a stat line of .333/17/54 and adding double-digit steals.  He is a true five-tool player who gets his first All Star nod despite a .303 career batting average.

OF – Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins – Power, power, and more power.  A Stanton by any name is the strongest player in the game.  After blasting 34 dingers in 2011, he is on pace to eclipse 40 this year for the Marlins.

OF – Michael Bourn, Atlanta Braves – The premier lead-off man in baseball is hitting .309 with 20 stolen bases and playing centerfield with style.

OF – Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves – Prado is one of the most valuable players in baseball, hitting .317 and playing 1B/3B/OF with the ability to play 2B if needed.  A second time All Star who is invaluable to Atlanta.

Pitching Staff

P – Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals – Acquired in the offseason, Gonzalez has been on point for the Nats all season.  Currently 10-3 with a 2.78 ERA and holding hitters to a .191 batting average against.

P – Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies default ace is making a great case for a major payday this winter, racking up a 10-3 record along with his usual low ERA and keeping the Phils on the map.

P – Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants – “Mr. Perfect” has done more than just throw one gem in 2012.  His 9-2 record, 2.27 ERA and ridiculous .90 WHIP gets him the Giants third All Star nod over teammate Madison Bumgarner.

P – A.J. Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates – Burnett has been top notch for the Pirates, both on and off the field.  His leadership has been huge, but his eight straight wins and stellar K/BB numbers are what gets his first All Star bid.

P – Chris Capuano, Los Angeles Dodgers – Finally back to full health, the former 18-game winner has found a home in Chavez Ravine.  His 9-2 record and 8.1/Ks per 9 are a major reason for the early 2012 success of the Dodgers.

P – Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals – The first All Star appearance for the phenom.  The 9-2 record is nice, but the league-leading 118 K’s in 90 IP are his bread and butter.  The third and final National on this team.

P – Wade Miley, Arizona Diamondbacks – Miley has been a pleasant surprise for the D-Backs, and could contend for the ERA title if he keeps his current pace.  At 9-3, he is the new ace of the Arizona rotation.

P – Zack Greinke, Milwaukee Brewers – Greinke could have his Brew Crew days numbered, but he hasn’t let that affect his performance.  He is 9-2 with 102 K’s despite a rough season in Milwaukee.

P – Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves – Kimbrel is just dominating as the Atlanta closer.  His 22 saves lead the league and his 47 K’s in 28 IP have led to a miniscule .79 WHIP.

P – Joel Hanrahan, Pittsburgh Pirates – “The Hammer” earns the third Pirates nod with his 20 saves and 2.10 ERA.  Another 40-save season seems to be on the docket in 2012.

P – Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds – He’s not longer unhittable, but even after a few rough outings he still sports a 1.98 ERA and unreal 15.9/K’s per 9.  The move to closer was a natural fit for the Cuban Missile.

P – Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers – Jansen has been consistent since his 2010 debut, but since taking over the closer role he has flourished like never before.  A .147 BAA and .87 WHIP has led to 12 saves.

Notable Exclusions

Obviously, any time you are selecting all star teams there will be tough decisions to be made.  As much as I wanted to make SP James McDonald one of the Pirates representatives, I simply could not overlook the eight-game winning streak for A.J. Burnett.  Without the one horrific inning in St. Louis earlier this season, Burnett would be knee-deep in Cy Young Award discussion.  If he keeps up his current pace, he will be in that discussion by September.  He makes the team based on his statistical season, but also for the effect he has had on the Pirates as a whole.

The San Francisco Giants have three starting pitchers who are all having All Star caliber seasons, but SP Matt Cain gets the slot based on his overall numbers (specifically his .95 WHIP and 2 CG shutouts, including a Perfect Game).  Left off the roster were Ryan Vogelsong ans Madison Bumgarner.

The St. Louis Cardinals SP Lance Lynn does not make the team because of the qualifications of three other Cardinal players – OF Carlos Beltran, 3B David Freese, and C Yadier Molina.  All three offensive players are having seasons that place them in the top three at their individual positions, and despite a 10-4 record for Lynn, he has not pitched all that well as of late.

The defending N.L. Cy Young Award winner, Los Angeles Dodgers SP Clayton Kershaw, did not make the squad.  He is having another fine season, and is a “big name” player.  However, SP Chris Capuano is having a tremendous season on the mound, leading the Dodgers in wins and ERA.  Capuano was a forgotten man this past offseason when L.A. signed him to a deal, a former 18-game winner who had been battling injuries for much of his career.  He makes his second All Star game appearance six years after his first.

Leaving Cincinnati Reds SP Johnny Cueto off this team was another tough decision.  The Reds have many players who are enjoying All Star caliber campaigns, and leaving Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, or Aroldis Chapman off the roster was not an option.  Chapman was untouchable for a while this year, and has since been roughed up a few times.  However, the idea of having Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, and Joel Hanrahan in the bullpen for the National League was just too good to pass up.  If the game is close in the later innings, those three closers can each toss a shutout frame to close out the game for the National League.

Arizona Diamondbacks OF Jason Kubel is having a solid season, hitting .298/11/50 for the resurgent D-Backs.  His numbers pale in comparison to the reserve outfielders chosen for my squad, so he gets left off the team.  The same goes for Colorado Rockies OF Michael Cuddyer, who has been very solid in his first National league season.

Surely, there are other players who could be argued as being deserving of a spot on this team, but I feel that I have selected the 35 most deserving players for this team.  I believe that all teams should be represented, and limiting the total number of players from each team makes for a much more diverse roster.  Being selected to an All Star game is an honor, and too often we see players being added to the teams simply because they play for a big-market team.  Not here, the ALL-SNEDDEN team is equal opportunity!

So what would you have done different?  Go ahead and leave your comments in the section below the article and I will follow up on each one individually.

———————————————————–

You can follow Jeff Snedden on Twitter @jeffsnedden

You can follow Jeff Snedden on Facebook.

Welcome to the first installment of the RumBunter FortTracker!

If you are an avid reader of the best Pittsburgh Pirates blog here at RumBunter, you may recall my article on catcher Michael McKenry back on March 21.  If you didn’t get a chance to read the original article, you can access it right here.

The FortTracker will be a weekly update on the career progress of “The Fort”, currently the Pirates #2 catcher behind veteran backstop Rod Barajas.

So, why the mini-obsession with the Bucs backup catcher?  Allow me to explain.

Baseball is a sport that binds its fans to their players in a way unparallelled anywhere else in professional sports.  We follow our teams on a daily basis for more than 3/4 of the calender year – from Spring Training through the 162-game regular season to (hopefully) the playoffs and World Series.  Over the course of such a long season, every fan will develop a fondness for certain players.  Be it because of their production, their style of play, their position, their number, or any of a million other specific reasons, baseball players tug at our heart strings in a way that harkens us back to the simpler days of our childhood.  We all have memories of our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or any father-figure telling us tales of the players they followed growing up.  Names such as DiMaggio, Mantle, Musial, Clemente, Stargell…..depending on where you grew up certain names are synonymous with the cities in which they played.  As we began to understand the game in the same way as the men who told us these stories, our love and passion for certain players would enhance our connection to the game.  For me – as I detailed in my “Growing up Buccos” series -  it was Tony Pena and Andy Van Slyke, the two players who loomed large in my formative days as a baseball fan.  Certain players just stir up the emotions of being a young fan in love with the game of baseball.

Every so often, a player will come around who reminds us of why we obsessed over baseball during our youth.  For me, that player is Michael McKenry.  When the Pirates acquired “The Fort” from Boston last June, even the most dedicated Buccos fans were scrambling online to Google the newest Pittsburgh player.  In a season in which the team would use EIGHT different players behind the dish, it was McKenry who would provide the most memorable moments.  With superb defense and a knack for clutch hits, the unassuming 5’10″ 215 lb catcher became a fan favorite in a city that appreciates a blue-collar approach in its players.  His first major-league homerun on July 8th capped an emotional comeback against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park that assured the Pirates a winning record at the All-Star Break for the first time since 1992.  Within a few weeks of his arrival in Pittsburgh, the Pirates announce team and fans sporting freshly minted t-shirts at the ballpark had given life to a nickname for the 26-year old rookie – “The Fort”.  It was a play on his surname combined with the name of a historic American monument – Fort McHenry.  The name stuck in large part because of the way McKenry was able to block balls behind the plate.  His ability to keep the ball in front of him would be a major asset to a young pitching staff just beginning to find its rhythm.  A Pittsburgh cult hero had been born.

At 5’10″ and 215 lbs., McKenry by far isn’t the biggest player on the team.  He is not the most athletic, or the most gifted.  He is simply a ballplayer.  A gritty, hard-working, ballplayer who Pittsburgh fans can identify with as one of their own.  As the Pirates began to make preparations for 2012, they signed veteran catcher Rod Barajas to be the starter, relegating “The Fort” to back-up duties.  I believe that this was a mistake and that McKenry deserves a chance to be the Pirates starting catcher.  McKenry is a throwback, a grinder, and one hell of a ballplayer who will not reach 500 major-league at-bats until sometime this summer.  Every game that he plays seems to enhance his ability as a player, and I believe that if given the starting slot, McKenry could win a Gold Glove and would surprise many fans with his full-season hitting statistics.  Hopefully, he will get that opportunity at some point during this season.  The Pirates have started off very slowly offensively, with Barajas struggling to get his batting average over .200.

The era of “The Fort” will begin in 2012……until then we will closely monitor his career here at the FortTracker.  I have no doubt that if all fans out there watch “The Fort” play and follow the FortTracker weekly, they will become fans of this young, talented catcher.

Pirates C Michael "The Fort" McKenry

The FortTracker:  Week One (April 5th – April 13th)

April 7   Pirates 2, Phillies 1  – PNC Park

McKenry saw his first action of the new season, pinch-running for Rob Barajas in the bottom of the 10th inning after Barajas led off with a double.  After taking third on a sacrifice bunt by SS Clint Barmes, McKenry dahsed home to score the winning run on a walk-off infield single by OF Alex Presley.

April 8  Pirates 5, Phillies 4 – PNC Park

“The Fort” would receive his first start of the season, catching for starter James McDonald in a Pirates series-winning victory.  At the plate, he was 1/4 with a single and a K.

April 12  Dodgers 3, Pirates 2 – Dodger Stadium

McKenry started and had a productive day at the plate, hitting his first homerun of 2012 – a towering shot to dead-centerfield. His daily line was 1/2 with a homerun and a walk.  He scored his second run of the season on the homerun.

FortTracker Totals for Week of April 5-April 12

6 AB  2 Runs  2 Hits  1 Homerun  .333/.429/.833

Rod Barajas Totals for Week of April 5- April 12

17 AB 0 Runs  1 Hit  4 K’s  .059/.059/.118

————————–

FortTracker Summary for Week One

“The Fort” saw limited action during the Opening Week, but overall was more productive than starter Rod Barajas despite only 6 total at-bats to Barajas’ 17 total at-bats.

McKenry did not have any SB/CS numbers for Week One.

As the season progresses and the Pirates get away from the early season off days, “The Fort” should see a substantial increase in playing time to allow Barajas (36 years old) time off from behind the plate.

Pittsburgh Pirates Week Two schedule:

04/13	@SF	4:35 pm	M. Cain
04/14	@SF	9:05 pm	B. Zito
04/15	@SF	4:05 pm	R. Vogelsong
04/16	@ARI	9:40 pm	J. Saunders
04/17	@ARI	9:40 pm	I. Kennedy
04/18	@ARI	3:40 pm
04/20	STL	7:05 pm

Check back every Friday for the next installment of the FortTracker, as we enjoy the progress of future Pirates starting catcher, Michael McKenry.

—————————————————————————————–

You can follow Jeff Snedden on Twitter @jeffsnedden

You can follow RumBunter on Twitter @rumbunter

And of course, you can get your Pirates fix all year round right here at www.rumbunter.com, the BEST Pittsburgh Pirates blog on the whole World Wide Web.