Dave Cokin’s Hardcore Baseball: Anti-All-Star Team

We’re at the quarter pole of the 2009 baseball season, so I thought I’d take a look at the first edition of this year’s Anything But All-Star Team. These are the guys who are, for whatever reason, dramatically underachieving. I’ll do the position players today and examine the pitchers tomorrow.

Catcher: Geovanny Soto, Cubs. Health problems have been a contributing factor, but the numbers Soto has put up are shocking. I thought it might be reasonable to assume Soto might dip a little from last year’s lofty level. But .198-1-10 is almost incomprehensible.

1B: Derrek Lee, Cubs. Injury issues are camouflaging a serious decline in power production for Lee. Only 11 HR since the end of May 2008. Add in a .230 BA this season and it’s becoming apparent to me the Cubs have a tough decision to make regarding Lee.

He’s the veteran who’s been holding down the post for a long time, but with a couple of very live bats capable of playing this position and providing more sock, the Cubs may have to make a very tough call if things don’t turn around soon.

2B: Dan Uggla, Marlins. He’s now hit in five straight games with home runs in both ends of the Wednesday doubleheader, so maybe Uggla is finally shaking loose. But considering that all the recent outburst has done is to finally get Uggla above .200, he’s the choice.

3B: Garrett Atkins, Rockies. This was a tough call, as Cincy’s Edwin Encarnacion certainly warrants a strong dishonorable mention. But I’ve never been nearly as high on Encarnacion as many others. As for Atkins, he’s 4 for his last 45 and is now at .194-3-14 for the campaign. This slump actually began last August, as Atkins fell off sharply down the stretch in ‘08. He’s bottomed out so far this season.

SS: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox. Easily the toughest call, with several deserving candidates. Stephen Drew has been terrible for the Diamondbacks, Jose Reyes is underachieving with the Mets and there are a few others not far behind. But Ramirez is a monster flop so far this season.

He gets a minor pass based on the position switch, but he’s 27/124 with no punch. Perhaps an encouraging sign is that Ramirez actually drew a walk in Wednesday’s win, notable as he’s been swinging at almost anything.

OF: Magglio Ordonez, Tigers. Looks as though Ordonez has hit the skids at 35. Ordonez was thought to be an old 30 with his knee problems, but completely silenced the critics with a monster rally the last few years. But he’s looked slow at the plate this year and his production has radically dropped.

OF: Milton Bradley, Cubs. I called this one when I heavily criticized the Cubs for signing Bradley. I know he’s supposedly a great teammate, but the guy is always hurt and is on perpetual suspension watch with his inability to control his emotions.

But at least when healthy, Bradley has been a reliable producer. Until this season, apparently. Bradley is hitting .193. No wonder the Cubs are an uninspiring 21-17. They really ought to be much better than that, but the names on this list indicate why they aren’t.

OF: Chris Young, Diamondbacks. The ultimate tease. Young has had the five-tool label for years. It’s true, the tools are there. He’s got power and speed and looks like he ought to be great. But it’s not going to happen. Young’s strike zone recognition is actually getting worse, and he’s been horrendous this season. I would not be at all surprised to see Young get farmed out soon.

DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox. Easy choice. Big Papi finally knocked one out Wednesday night, but it’s been one ugly start to the season for the Boston slugger. Maybe the long overdue long ball eases the pressure and gets the big guy going. But Ortiz has to be on this list based on the disastrous first quarter numbers.

Back with the pitchers in tomorrow’s edition.