Baseball fans around the country are clamoring for Los Angeles Dodgers young phenom outfielder to be in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. He is off to a hot start and gaining immense popularity. While he doesn’t deserve to be an All-Star, the MLB needs him to be in the game.
Puig has even been plugged into the running to receive the final National League All-Star spot. Unfortunately for Puig, he is currently trailing Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman in the Final Vote for the last roster spot. However, many analysts believe the right fielder will be put on the roster anyway due to an injury.
Yasiel Puig is batting .407 with eight homeruns and 19 RBIis in his 34 games as a Major Leaguer. He also has an on-base percentage of .441. There is no doubt he’s been ridiculously hot but there’s a reason he was not selected as part of the All-Star reserves. It would have been hard to give Puig the nod over guys that have put up outstanding numbers for more than 80 games.
In addition to the fact Puig has not been in the majors long enough, there is another reason he doesn’t deserve to be on the team—he’s not the only person on the Dodgers putting up those kind of numbers.
Let’s take a look at Puig’s stats once more—.407 BA, 8 HR, 19 RBIs and .441 OBP in 34 games.
Here are the stats for Puig’s teammate, shortstop Hanley Ramirez: 404 BA, 7 HR, 21 RBIs and .445 OBP—also in 34 games.
So I ask you, Does Hanley Ramirez deserve to make the All-Star team? The answer is a resounding no because he’s only played 34 games. So why does Puig deserve to get in?
The demand for Puig is simply because he is a young player doing extremely well. However, he needs to have more games under his belt before he warrants an all-star selection.
Now, while I am of the impression he doesn’t deserve the selection, if Yasiel Puig makes the All-Star team it will be the best thing to happen to baseball in a long time.
The MLB has been losing popularity among young people to the likes of the NFL and the NBA. The league needs to do everything it can to reign in the younger demographic in a time where society is moving—mainly through advances in technology—and the game of baseball is very slow.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and league executives have been looking into ways in which they can speed up the game. While they continue to do so, the league needs to capitalize on what they have right now—great young players.
So far, Puig is 22-year old success story that everyone young baseball fan wants to see. Putting him in the contest can only help ratings for the All-Star game, which obviously helps Major League Baseball.
And the MLB needs all the help it can get.
*Stats according to ESPN.com
