| Arizona starter Patrick Corbin delivers a pitch during the Diamondbacks' 2-1 victory Friday over the Milwaukee Brewers. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images / July 12, 2013) |
July 13, 2013, 3:22 p.m.
Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at three players whose surprising performances in the first half have earned them roster spots in Tuesday's All-Star game in New York.
Patrick Corbin
SP | Arizona
When the Angels traded for Dan Haren in July 2010, many Angels fans were unhappy to see the team part with Joe Saunders, who had won 33 games over the previous two seasons. But it has turned out to be Corbin, the other pitcher the team threw into the deal, that has the Angels brass shaking their heads everytime Joe Blanton or Jerome Williams get roughed up. Corbin, whom the Angels drafted in the second round in 2009, has hit center stage in 2013 and has an 11-1 record with a 2.35 earned-run average and 1.00 WHIP in helping the Diamondbacks hold on to first place in the National League West.
Manny Machado
3B | Baltimore
What's not to love about Machado? He is hitting .315 with 39 doubles, making him a threat to challenge Earl Webb's season mark of 67 set in 1931. He is making plays that Brooks Robinson would love to add to his highlight reel. To top it off, he's younger than Yasiel Puig and Mike Trout, having turned 21 on July 6.
Domonic Brown
OF | Philadelphia
From 2010 to 2012, Brown never could find his footing or his swing in the majors, hitting only .236 and playing sporadically behind Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth and Hunter Pence. This season, with a starting spot to call his own, Brown turned heads by hitting 12 home runs in 14 games May 26-June 5. He is hitting .261 with 23 home runs, 64 runs batted in and eight stolen bases. It may be time for the Phillies to entertain deals for some of their veterans, and begin rebuilding their lineup around the 25-year-old Brown.
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