Who is the logical choice to represent the Indians at All-Star game in July? If AL manager Joe Girardi doesn't need a pitcher (Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot are long shots), it's probably Shin-Soo Choo. Now someone just has to convince Choo.
Shin-Soo Choo follows through on the first of his pair of two-run homers Wednesday night. This one gave the Indians a 2-0 lead in the first inning off the Phillies' Kyle Kendrick.PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Shin-Soo Choo knows that every team in the big leagues has to be represented by one player in the All-Star Game on July 13 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
He knows a lot of people are saying he'll represent the last-place Indians. If it happens, he'll go. He'd prefer to go playing like an All-Star.
"If I had All-Star team numbers, it would be no problem," said Choo. "But I don't have All-Star team numbers. I'm not hitting .330 ... 350. I don't have 15 or 20 home runs. I don't have that many RBI."
Choo entered Wednesday night's game against Philadelphia hitting .289 (77-for-266) with 13 doubles, two triples, eight homers, 33 RBI and 11 steals in 13 attempts. He pumped up those stats with a pair of two-run homers.
"A lot of players on other teams have my numbers," he said. "I play on Korean and minor-league All-Star teams and I always had All-Star numbers. If they say go, I'll say thank you and I'll go."
Choo said he's talked to his wife, Won Mi Ha, about it.
"She told me sometimes you've had good numbers and didn't go," said Choo. "She's a good girl. She's always positive."
Choo started Wednesday's game with a two-run homer in the first inning. In the fifth, he hit another two-run homer to give him 10 for the season. He's hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games.
"I'm not thinking about the All-Star Game," he said. "I'm just trying to focus on every at-bats and every day. If I do that, the numbers will come."
Visiting time: Kansas City has reportedly signed shortstop Christian Colon, the fourth pick in the June amateur draft. ESPN's Keith Law is reporting that Colon, who played at Cal State Fullerton, signed for an estimated $2.8 million.
Mississippi lefty Drew Pomeranz will visit with the Indians next Monday to begin contract negotiations after being the Tribe's first-round pick in the amateur draft.INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: If you’re thinking that Kerry Wood’s scoreless ninth inning against the Phillies on Tuesday night was a showcase, you could be right.
The Phillies’ pen has been a sore spot for the defending NL champs this season. Closer Brad Lidge has been injured and inconsistent through the first three months. If Lidge regains his old form, Wood could still help as a set-up man and backup closer.
The Indians might feel burnt around the edges from their last encounter with the Phillies at the trading table in the Cliff Lee deal, but it’s clear that Wood is available. Then again, he didn't help the cause with the two-run game-winning homer by Jimmy Rollins Wednesday night.
Goal oriented: Manny Acta is driven by goals. When his career as a player ended, he decided to reach the big leagues as a coach and then a manager. Those goals have been achieved.
He gave a clue of what’s next on his list Wednesday when he was asked if rookie Stephen Strasburg should make the All-Star Game.
“I hope I can someday get to the point where I’m naming people to the All-Star Game,” said Acta. “For now, leave me out of it. That’s my next goal ... to answer those questions.”
For a manager to be in position to pick an All-Star team, he has to reach the World Series the previous year.
Stat of the day: The Indians are driven by offense. They’re 15-5 when they score five or more runs, but 0-20 when they score two or fewer.
— Paul Hoynes
The Indians took left-hander Drew Pomeranz from the University of Mississippi with the fifth pick, but according to people close to the situation there have been no negotiations to date. The deadline for signing players taken in the June draft is Aug. 16.
Pomeranz is scheduled to come to Cleveland on Monday to get a physical and hear the Indians' sales pitch. Ole Miss didn't qualify for the College World Series and Pomeranz is currently working at a baseball camp on campus.
This season the 6-5, 230-pound Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 16 starts. He struck out 139 and walked 49 in 100 2/3 innings. He allowed 25 earned runs on 25 hits. The opposition hit .195 against him.
Not this time: After telling Cleveland reporters that he might get kicked out of Tuesday's game, and following through on the prediction, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before Wednesday's game, "I'm not getting kicked out tonight. Believe me, I didn't want to get kicked out Tuesday. That's no fun for me."
Manuel has been ejected 28 times in six years with the Phillies.
Will he or won't he? Manuel, who will manage the NL in the All-Star Game, says he'll take a look at Washington rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg, even though he made only his fourth start as a big-leaguer on Wednesday.
"I'll keep an eye on him," said Manuel, "but we've got some pretty good starters in this league. Have you see Josh Johnson from Florida? He's a big man. He can hit 97."
Tribe outfielder Shelley Duncan feels the NL will put Strasburg on its roster.
"The game means home field advantage in the World Series," said Duncan. "They're playing to win. They'll close with him."
Strange game: Jason Donald always though he'd make with the Phillies and call Citizens Bank Park home. He made the big leagues all right, but as an Indian.
"It's funny the way it worked out in terms of interleague play," said Donald. "I thought I'd make it with the Phillies. But I'm here now."
The Indians acquired Donald in the Cliff Lee deal.
Ouch: Ruben Niebla, a coaching assistant for the Indians, will undergo surgery on his right knee next week at Cleveland Clinic. Niebla was injured while shagging balls in the outfield Sunday in Pittsburgh. It's not known when he'll rejoin the Indians.
Finally: Manager Manny Acta on the firing of Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez: "Being in that small group of minority managers, we keep in touch. ... He's well respected. He's going to land on his feet. Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can come around."