Sunday, July 03, 2011

Michael Cuddyer is the Twins All-Star Representative

Baseball announced their All Star rosters and – without much surprise – the Twins delegate to the game in Arizona is Michael Cuddyer.

Cuddyer’s numbers have been solid, if unspectacular, while the rest of the Minnesota cast has been hurt for a portion of the season, allowing an opening for the veteran. His versatility and power against southpaws will give the AL team some flexibility. Of course, as it stands right now, the NL has only three left-handed pitchers on their roster (Kershaw, Lee and Hamels) which means Cuddyer will probably not see a favorable match-up when he is inserted into the late innings of the game.

Personally, I would have selected Scott Baker over Michael Cuddyer, but likely based on Baker’s pedestrian win-loss record despite outstanding peripherals, the committee passed him by. What’s more is the deep list of AL pitchers who have performed well enough to merit inclusion on the roster. If CC Sabathia was not deemed worthy, Baker had no chance.

Nevertheless, a hearty congratulations is due to Cuddyer. After a season in which plenty of questions were raised about his power that had disappeared after a big drop in 2010, he has rebounded well in 2011.