As of July 21st, the AL Central leading Detroit Tigers start the second half facing the Kansas City Royals in a three game away series. A line-up with Prince Fielder, Torii Hunter, and Victor Martinez is good enough, right? Well, lets add power-surge, Miguel Cabrera to the line-up. Leading the Tigers in Avg., Hits, RBI’s, Runs, Walks, OPS., OBP., SLG., and home runs, Miguel has done ‘nothing’ but help his team become a first place, World-Series contender. Failing to succeed, the Tigers lost two out of three games to the Royals, however, in tonight’s 4-1 victory, Miguel Cabrera helped prevent a sweep, as he homered for the 31st time this season!
In the 2012 season, a Triple-Crown winner (15th) as well as AL MVP Award winner, “Miggy” ended the first-half of 2012 with 18 home runs, produced a batting average around 320., and was held accountable for 71 runs batted in. Good numbers, huh? This year, 2013, Miguel heading into the break had 30 home runs, increased his batting average by 35 points, and drove in 24 more runs than he did last season heading into All-Star weekend.
Reason of being, Miguel has improved his vision better at the plate and has seen more pitches to hit. To back this up, I simply show the stat where Miggy had 32 walks last year heading into the break, as opposed to his 60 walks this season. Intentional or not, that is 28 more walks then he had last season. Although Cabrera does not lead the league in Home-Runs, Chris Davis has taken that spot, Cabrera leads the American League in RBI’s, Hits, and Base on Balls. As some pitchers surpass Miguel in some columns due to inter-league play stats, Miguel does not lead in OPS, OBP, and Avg., but he has put up fantastic numbers including a 359. Batting Average, 31 Home-Runs, 96 RBI’s, 452 OPB., and a 668. SLG. average.
On the other hand, Miggy finished with a 330. batting average, 44 Home-Runs, and 139 RBI’s, contributing to his AL MVP award and Triple Crown award. Miguel may not be in check for Triple Crown, but Miguel is sure to be in check of winning yet another AL MVP award in two years.
Is Miguel Cabrera one of the new “faces of baseball”, yes indeed but now is Miguel Cabrera a future Hall of Famer, or furthermore, one of the greatest ball-players of all-time? Without a doubt, Miguel Cabrera is a First-Ballot, unanimous vote, Hall-of-Famer. His numbers speak for themselves, he may very well be one of the greatest to ever play the game of baseball.
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