Introducing the 2012 Topps All-Star Rookie Team!!!

The MLB managers have spoken, and today, Topps has announced the players named to the 54th All-Star Rookie Team!!! (If the player's name is in bold, it means I predicted that they would make the team earlier this month).

• 1B: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs (0.285 batting average, 15 HR, 48 RBI, 2012 stats)
• 2B: Steve Lombardozzi, Washington Nationals (.273, 3, 27)
• 3B: Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds (.273, 19, 67)
• SS: Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds (.246, 15, 35)
• OF: Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics (.292, 23, 82)
• OF: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals (.270, 22, 59)
• OF: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (.326, 30, 83)
• C: Wilin Rosario, Colorado Rockies (.270, 28, 71)
• RHP: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers (16-9, 3.90 ERA, 221 K's)
• LHP: Wade Miley, Arizona Diamondbacks (16-11, 3.33, 144)
• RP:  Addison Reed, Chicago White Sox (3-2, 4.75, 54, 29 saves)

So I guessed 9 out of now 11 spots correctly.  I guessed Jesus Montero for the catcher spot (I guess if he had stayed with the Yankees he would have won this outright), and Ryan Cook & Rex Brothers as my relief pitchers.  I did a lot better than last year (when I got 6 of 10 correct).  

Now my comments. Hey, Topps brought back the Strasburg rule for 2012.  Instead of having just one starting pitcher and one relief pitcher, they have returned to the right-handed and left-handed starting pitchers to go with one relief pitcher.  Maybe it was a good thing that I asked those entering the All-Star Rookie Team contest to name four pitchers (two right-handers, two-left handers) just in case.

While I have not yet seen if there were any unanimous votes, there was little doubt that Cespedes, Harper, Trout, and Darvish would be selected.  It could have gone either way with Rizzo and the Padres' Yonder Alonso.  But Rizzo had considerably comparable numbers while playing in less games.  Personally, I'm totally surprised that Ryan Cook was not selected as the relief pitcher for the team.  He definitely had the numbers to warrant him getting the nod, but Reed was a closer for the entire year, while Cook was a middle reliever who took the closer role in the middle of the season (and later returned to set-up when closer late in the year).

So congratulations to all. Each player will now get the illustrious rookie cup trophy added to their 2013 Topps cards.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama