The Nuthouse

The American Association postseason All-Star ballot is due on Thursday at 11 p.m. but apparently I’m the last media member or manager to turn it in. I needed some extra time to evaluate players and make sure I was making all the right decisions. Just kidding — I had to talk to some other people to make sure my picks wouldn’t totally embarrass me and baseball writers everywhere. The last time I voted on something this important was for National League Player of the Month for June 2007. The guy I voted for didn’t win it, so I’ve got redemption on my mind.

Catcher: Kevin Sullivan, St. Paul
Statistics: .297, 10 HR, 46 RBIs
Why Him: Versatile, can also play the outfield. Instigated an incident with the Wingnuts in St. Paul that triggered a brawl between the two teams later in Wichita. Definite points for that.
Apologies To: Paul Smyth, Sioux Falls; Shawn McGill, Lincoln; J.B. Tucker, Grand Prairie

First base: Brandon Sing, Pensacola
Statistics: .273, 21 HR, 81 RBIs
Why Him: Leads the league in several offensive categories, leads the Pelicans in walks and sports a .408 on-base percentage.
Apologies To: Dustin Yount, Lincoln; Patrick Reilly, Sioux Falls; Jake Gautreau, Fort Worth

Second base: Bryon Smith, El Paso
Statistics: .298, 10 HR, 59 RBIs
Why Him: A lot of good second basemen in the league, or at least a lot with fairly similar statistics, but I went with Smith because of his power numbers and his 47 walks.
Apologies To: Josh Patton, Sioux Falls; Ron Fenwick, Shreveport/St. Paul; Brenan Herrera, Wichita; Brandon Carter, Grand Prairie

Third base: Grant Richardson, Sioux Falls
Statistics: .321, 14 HR, 65 RBIs
Why Him: He’s rough on defense with 21 errors, but he has more walks (63) than strikeouts (55) and has managed to stand out in a loaded Canaries lineup.
Apologies To: Michael Thompson, Wichita

Shortstop: Kevin Hooper, Wichita
Statistics: .374, 1 HR, 26 RBIs
Why Him: Quite simply the best pure baseball player in the league. Leads the league in batting average and hits and is second in stolen bases, third in on-base percentage and fifth in runs. Plays outstanding defense.
Apologies To: Nilson Teilon, Fort Worth; David Espinosa, Grand Prairie;

Outfield: Brent Krause, St. Paul
Statistics: .315, 17 HR, 54 RBIs
Why Him: Five-tool player who has put up great numbers around an otherwise so-so offense.

Outfield: Beau Torbert, Sioux Falls
Statistics: .323, 19 HR, 70 RBIs
Why Him: The Canaries have the best offense in the league, but he’s the hitter opposing teams fear the most. Established himself as a power-hitting threat after low home run totals in the minors.

Outfield: Rafael Alvarez, Pensacola
Statistics: .303, 18 HR, 53 RBIs
Why Him: Gives the Pelicans, along with Sing, a solid 1-2 punch. The two have combined for 39 of Pensacola’s 64 homers this season
Apologies To: Brian Fryer, Fort Worth

Designated Hitter: John Allen, Fort Worth
Statistics: .334, 20 HR, 64 RBIs
Why Him: Hit four home runs in a game last week to catch my attention. When he did, I saw some great numbers and a guy on the best team in the league. Easy choice.
Apologies To: Walter Young, Sioux City; Will Smith, Sioux Falls; Jorge Alvarez, El Paso

Left-handed Pitcher: Ryan Ford, Sioux Falls
Statistics: 12-6, 2.79 ERA
Why Him: Not a surplus of great lefties in the league, but he has numbers that put him near the top of the league for all pitchers, not just southpaws.
Apologies To: Kris Regas, Sioux Falls; Richard Salazar, Wichita; Pedro Flores, Fort Worth; Joel Kirsten, Fort Worth

Right-handed Pitcher: Alexander Francisco, Sioux City
Statistics: 11-1, 3.23 ERA
Why Him: Along with Jarrett Gardner, the best pitcher I’ve seen this season. His record is the only one of his stats that really pops out, but he’s solid across the board and keeps his team in the game whenever he pitches.
Apologies To: Jarrett Gardner, Lincoln; Travis Kane, Sioux Falls; Pat Mahomes, Sioux Falls; Charlie Ruud, St. Paul; Lee Gwaltney, Fort Worth;

Relief Pitcher: Kris Regas, Sioux Falls
Statistics: 1-0, 1.32 ERA, 29 Saves
Why Him: As automatic as they come. I have no idea why he’s not in affiliated ball — a left-handed closer who throws hard? Doesn’t make sense. Ten for 10 in save opportunities against the Wingnuts this year. Basically unhittable.
Apologies To: Brett Reid, Sioux City; Mark Roberts, Sioux Falls; Tony Pierce, St. Paul; Byron Embry, Wichita; Mike Cervera, El Paso; Jon Hunton, Fort Worth

Manager of the Year: Chad Treadaway, Fort Worth
Why Him: Led the Cats to the first-half title and they are tied for the second-half lead in the South as we reach the home stretch. Guided the team with the league’s best pitching staff.
Apologies To: Les Lancaster, Sioux City; Steve Shirley, Sioux Falls; Pete Incaviglia, Grand Prairie.

Organization of the Year: Fort Worth

Best Playing Field Surface: Grand Prairie (I guess).

Player of the Year: John Allen, Fort Worth
Why Him: It came down to Hooper, Torbert and Allen. Torbert was the first to go because — well, I don’t know. Let’s just say he split votes with too many of his teammates in the best lineup in the league. Hooper has been absolutely outstanding, but Allen has put up phenomenal numbers on a team headed for the playoffs. Just like Torbert. And Allen is a designated hitter, which diminishes his accomplishments slightly, but his hitting stats are just too good to overlook.