12 Games in…

There are an infinite amount of reasons why baseball is the greatest sport ever invented. And here’s another reason. Look at the league leaders in the pitching and hitting triple crown categories. In fact, let me go through them.

Batting Average:

Justin Upton (.415): First off, this kid is the youngest player in the league. There are guys who have been in the minor leagues longer than this kid has been alive. He is his brother B.J. but with power. Not just any power, prolific power. I don’t even think he’s done growing either.

Home Runs:

Carlos Pena (6): If this were any other year prior to 2006, we would all be saying “What the hell is Carlos Pena on?” After failing to make the Devil Ray roster last year, (that’s right, I said Devil Ray roster), the expected starting first basmen for the team, Travis Lee, goes down with an injury and Tampa Bay is forced to start Pena at 1st. He then goes on to hit 46 HRs and drive in 121 runs. If you did the math, he hit 33% of his career homeruns last season after 7 years in the league. Unheard of.

Runs batted In:

Joe Crede (15): Granted, Crede did drive in 94 runs in 2006, but in all his other years, he didn’t get past 75. And granted, he did only play in 47 games last year. So only 8 more RBI, and he’ll pass last year’s total.

Wins:

Livan Hernandez (3): There a few pitchers who have 3 wins: Jake Peavy, Chien-Ming Wang, Brandon Webb, and Brian Bannister. But Livan has got to the greatest anomaly. At the beginning of the season, the Twins were going to be the American League pitching doormat with names like Blackburn, Baker, and Boof. But here comes the Pillsbury Throw Boy. And he pitches in his Pillsbury Throw Boy way. Forcing hitters to swing for the fences with his 82 MPH fastballs, and jiggly physique.

Strikeouts:

Johnny Cueto (24): If you played a word association game with Reds fans and Johnny Cueto’s name came up, chances are, “Savior” would be the answer most of the time. I would also accept “future”. But truth be told, those words wouldn’t be too far from the truth. Only being 22 years old, he has major league stuff and major league control. Currently, his K:BB ratio is 24:1. That’s Ben Sheetsesque. Is that a word? Maybe, I don’t know. Should be.

ERA:

Justin Germano (0.00): Altogether now, “Who?” Honestly, Justin Germano? Anyway, I did the research and Wikipedia confirms his existence as a major league pitcher. And he once was traded for Rheal Cormier. Good to know. But seriously, this is the last time you will see his name on any league leading lists. Has decent stuff. And is the fifth starter for the Padres. But I’m sure Jake Peavy doesn’t even know his name. 

 After 162, we’ll see where these names end up…