Catcher:
Paul Lo Duca led NL catchers in batting in April with .328. His may average dipped down to .244 but his cumulative numbers are respectable. Meanwhile, Ramon Hernandez swung with a .315 average and Yadier Molina did him better (.338), but the impressive stat is his runners thrown out: out of 20 attempts, he’s gunned out 14, by far a majors-leading 70 percent. So why only fifth? Molina didn’t start well with a .162 average in April. He probably won’t get much attention from the voters but if he keeps his numbers up, he could sneak in as the back-up.
1. Ramon Hernandez, Padres ( .301 BA, 6 HR, 29 RBI, .337 OBP, .472 SLG, 25% CS)
2. Paul Lo Duca, Marlins ( .283 BA, 2 HR, 20 RBI, .349 OBP, .379 SLG, 33% CS)
3. Johnny Estrada, Braves ( .270 BA, 1 HR, 23 RBI, .319 OBP, .392 SLG, 33% CS)
4. Mike Piazza, Mets ( .247 BA, 6 HR, 25 RBI, .311 OBP, .432 SLG, 11% CS)
5. Yadier Molina, Cardinals ( .253 BA, 2 HR, 17 RBI, .283 OBP, .329 SLG, 70% CS)
First Base:
Derrek Lee and Albert Pujols are battling for starting first baseman in June, and come September could very well vie for MVP of the league. Currently Lee has a sizable lead ahead of Pujols in every listed category. The hot hitting in May came from Sean Casey (.355) and Olmedo Saenz (.340), but Saenz only has 84 at-bats all year, not yet enough for All Star consideration. And watch out for Carlos Delgado down in Florida. He led May NL first basemen with RBI (24), doubles (11), OPS (1.058), and tied for homeruns (7) with the Pirates’ Daryle Ward. The month was specifically rough on Todd Helton (.255), explaining his absence from his normally perennial presence atop the rankings.
1. Derrek Lee, Cubs ( .360 BA, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 9 SB, .454 OBP, .702 SLG)
2. Albert Pujols, Cardinals ( .325 BA, 12 HR, 42 RBI, 3 SB, .401 OBP, 580 SLG)
3. Carlos Delgado, Marlins ( .315 BA, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 0 SB, .398 OBP, .579 SLG)
4. Nick Johnson, Nationals ( .322 BA, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 2 SB, .434 OBP, .519 SLG)
5. Sean Casey, Reds ( .317 BA, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 1 SB, .368 OBP, .426 SLG)
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