Now that we are less than a month and a half away from the MLB All-Star Game here in Phoenix next month, it is time to start thinking about who the candidates are for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A month ago you would have been hard pressed to find multiple candidates. Now, you can make a legitimate case for at least more than a half-dozen players.
Ian Kennedy - 6-2, 3.16 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SO - it is hard to deny what Kennedy has done for the Dbacks all season. Although not your typical "ace", he has acted nothing but like one since opening day. He struggled a bit in his last outing, however has been more effective than not.
J.J. Putz - 17 saves in 18 opportunities. 1.80 ERA - only 1 blown save and that first one didn't come until the other night. He has been lights out otherwise. He deserves to be considered.
David Hernandez, 2-1, 1.65 ERA - the perfect set up guy. He has been just about as automatic as Putz has been. The Dbacks definitely got the better end of the Mark Reynolds deal here.
Stephen Drew - .286 avg, 3 HR, 33 RBI. Drew has been Mr. Clutch. He has a great feel for hitting in Chase Field. Although not a huge HR guy, he can hit the ball to all depths of the field. A threat to hit a triple every time up. Plus you have to love the glove he sports at shortstop.
Justin Upton - .271 avg, 11 HR, 30 RBI. Upton has really heated up over the last couple of weeks. He is slowly showing why the Dbacks have been patient with him.
Ryan Roberts - .270 avg, 8 HR, 24 RBI. Roberts had some early season success that he has been able to carry up until now. The average has taken a little bit of a dip, but he is still getting good wood on the ball, even in outs. Has been the offensive surprise of the season.
Miguel Montero - .277 avg, 6 HR, 27 RBI. He is another guy that has been consistent all season long. He always seems to come up with the big hit. Being a catcher and with the Dbacks playing All-Star host, could help his cause. We'll see.
Joe Patterson - 0.60 ERA in 24 appearances. He's only thrown 13.2 innings, but he's been the missing left handed specialist the Dbacks have been searching for. Patterson finally gave up his first run of the season last week. A definite surprise who I still see missing the game due to roster sizes, but still deserves consideration.
Josh Collmenter - 4-1, 1.25 ERA. Here is another guy that deserves all the consideration in the world, but will most likely end up a victim of a numbers game. If he pitches like he has been for the rest of this season and into the start of next season, he very well may find himself on an All-Star roster before too long.