Rangers 2006 All-Star Status

[Molina00]

With several Rangers putting up some good numbers this year, it still looks like it could be a disappointing showing for Texas. Right now the only Rangers projected to be on the AL roster is Michael Young and possibly Hank Blalock. Young is currently 3rd in voting among AL shortstops more than 1 million votes behind the leading vote getter Derek Jeter. Blalock is not in the top 5 in voting but is projected as the possible 3rd string 3B men for the AL squad.

Rangers who will most likely make the AL all-star team:

Michael Young-Batting .328 with a .367 OBP, a league leading 27 doubles, 45 runs scored and 49 RBI in 75 games.

Hank Blalock-Batting .294 with a .363 OBP, tied for 2nd on the team with 11 homeruns, and has 54 RBI in 74 games. He is also average 1 strikeout every 9.3 AB's compared to one every 4.9 AB's from last year.

Rangers deserving of consideration but might not make it:

Mark Teixeira-Teixeira is the most notable of these. His failing to be in the top 5 in voting among AL 1B men is no doubt due to his horrible slow start in the power department. He has only 8 homeruns and 44 RBI so far in 75 games this year, but is tied for 2nd in the AL in doubles with 26.

Gary Matthews Jr.-Batting .337 with a .386 OBP, .551 SLG, tied for 3rd in the AL with 25 doubles, and has 41 runs scored in 63 games.

Mark DeRosa-Batting .344 with a .399 OBP, .508 SLG, tied for 5th in doubles with 22, and has 53 runs produced in 51 games this year.

Kevin Millwood-Currently 8-3 with a 4.29 ERA and has pitched 1 of only 2 Ranger complete games this season.

Akinori Otsuka-Aki has nailed down 15 saves in 17 chances since taking over for the ineffective Coco Cordero in mid-April. He has posted a 2.38 ERA and has allowed only 4 walks in 34 innings this year.