J.D. Martinez And The All-August Team

As we approach the home stretch of the baseball season, it’s time to recognize the month of August’s best players. Some of these players will be heading to the playoffs with a chance of the World Series hanging in the balance, others will be heading home with nothing.

Here is Major League Baseball’s All-August team!

 

Catcher: Wilson Ramos, New York Mets

Part of the reason why the New York Mets keep surging back into the playoff race is because players who may have struggled early on have finally started to heat up; Wilson Ramos is one them.

Ramos had only three home runs which is nothing compared to Subway Series rival Gary Sanchez, but his .434 and position leading 20 Runs Batted In really gave a boost to the Mets. While their future is uncertain, if Ramos keeps hitting like this, they may have some gas to cook.

 

First Baseman: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

Freddie Freeman’s average isn’t the reason he was given the nod, it’s his overall production. He leads all first basemen in home runs and was third in RBI.

Houston Astros’ Yuli Gurriel gave Freeman some healthy competition, especially with his batting average and splitting time with Yordan Alvarez. If the Braves want to continue their winning ways, they’ll need Freeman to pick up the slack.

 

Second Baseman: Starlin Castro, Miami Marlins

The Marlins had someone do well?! Yes they did, his name is Starlin Castro. While the New York Yankees second basemen D.J. LeMahieu had more home runs and a higher average, Castro kept it very close, finishing with one less home run and two less hits.

What gives Castro the edge though is his 28 RBI to LeMahieu’s 19? It’s not to say that LeMahieu wasn’t a better player but given that all the categories were so close, only to have the run away with RBI is something that can be argued.

 

Third Baseman: Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

Alex Bregman has easily been Houston’s most valuable player this year. Playing shortstop while Carlos Correa was hurt and still maintaining a high batting average as well as a high level productivity lands him here.

Bregman along with the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout and the Boston Red Sox’ Rafael Devers are three of the Most Valuable Player candidates this season, and in Bregman’s case, it’s not hard to see why.

 

Shortstop: Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees

While Arizona Diamondback’s Nick Ahmed and Cleveland Indians Francisco Lindor are two of the best at the position right now, it’s not hard to see that it is “Gleyber Day!” Torres’ lead all shortstops with 13 home runs and was second in RBIs with 21.

If you don’t believe Torres has been that good, look up the team he’s feasted on this year, the Baltimore Orioles.

 

Left Field: Juan Soto, Washington Nationals

While Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. put on a clinic with his bat, it was Soto’s high average and RBI total that takes the cake here. With Washington in the playoff hunt, he’ll be one of the players who will be crucial in holding off former National and current Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper.

 

Center Field: Kevin Pillar, San Francisco Giants

The Yankees’ Mike Tauchman had a sensational August. The problem is, Pillar had a much more complete month at the plate and still put up impressive stats. He was second in hits, second in home runs, second in RBI and fifth in average.

 

Right Field: Aristides Aquino, Cincinnati Reds

His 14 home runs and 33 RBI were tops amongst all right fielders. While Bryce Harper mounted a strong offensive for the spot, Aquino just had too strong of a month.

 

Designated Hitter: J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox

Ever since coming to Boston, J.D. Martinez has shined. Batting nearly .400, 29 RBI and 10 home runs last month, was amongst baseball’s top designated hitters. He’s had to play some left fielder but you can definitely see he’s one of the better hitters in the league.

 

Starting Pitcher: Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians

While the Yankees’ James Paxton had one more win than Clevinger, a higher earned run average and less strikes out sunk him. St. Louis Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty also made a case but lack of decisions hurt it.

 

Relief Pitcher: Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees

Another great month for Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman builds his resume towards being the top relief pitcher of the year. Going nine-for-nine in save opportunites while allowing no runs and striking out 20 is impressive.

With Chapman’s contract opt-out clause coming up at the end of the year, someone could make Mr. Chapman a rich man.