Cincinnati Reds' Joey VottoTonight's Major League All-Star Game in Kansas City will pit the best the American League and National League have to offer.
But what about the best Chattanooga can offer?
The Lookouts churned out big-league talent during their last few seasons as Class AA affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds, and the pipeline has continued during their partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers that began after the 2008 season. Six opening-day members of the 2011 Lookouts have gone on to play with the Dodgers, including third baseman Elian Herrera and outfielder Scott Van Slyke, who were swinging away at AT&T Field this time last year.
"From our development standpoint, it can't be any better," Lookouts manager Carlos Subero said. "I watched the whole career of Scott Van Slyke develop, because I started managing him in 2009. Elian getting promoted is one of the most gratifying moments as a manager. He was a late bloomer, and to hear Vin Scully call his name for the first time was one of my favorite highlights."
Van Slyke and Herrera haven't been in the majors long enough to make an impact worthy enough for All-Star consideration, so on page D5 is a stab at an all-star team of Lookouts alumni, accompanied by this season's totals.
All-Lookouts Star Team
CATCHER -- Ryan Hanigan (Cincinnati Reds)
Lookouts career: Hanigan hit .321 in 100 games played for Chattanooga in 2005. His average dipped to .246 in 56 games during the '06 season, but it bounced back to .299 in 60 games in '07.
This season: Hanigan has been remarkably consistent in the majors, and he is hitting .276 in 57 games this season with six home runs and 31 RBIs. He hit .300 in 2010, when the Reds made the playoffs.
FIRST BASE -- Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds)
Lookouts career: Votto dominated the Southern League in 2006, posting the highest batting average (.319) as well as the most hits (162), doubles (46) and runs scored (85).
This season: The 2010 National League MVP is the clear headliner of this collection. Votto hit .324 with 37 homers and 113 RBIs two years ago, and he is at it again with a .348 average, 14 homers and 48 RBIs this season.
SECOND BASE -- Justin Turner (New York Mets)
Lookouts career: In 2008, Chattanooga's last season as Cincinnati's Double-A affiliate, Turner hit .289 in 78 games. He was traded to Baltimore and played for the Orioles in 2009-10 before being traded during the '10 season to the New York Mets.
This season: Turner is having his best season in the majors, posting a .281 average with 13 RBIs through 47 games.
SHORTSTOP -- Dee Gordon (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Lookouts career: Gordon arrived in Chattanooga for the 2010 season as the top-rated prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. In 133 games with the Lookouts, Gordon hit .277 with 39 RBIs, and he stole 53 bases.
This season: Gordon was leading the majors with 30 steals last week when he tore a ligament in his thumb, which has required surgery that will keep him sidelined for six weeks. He has struggled at the plate, hitting .229 in 78 games after batting .304 in 56 games last season following his promotion from Triple-A Albuquerque.
THIRD BASE -- Edwin Encarnacion (Toronto Blue Jays)
Lookouts career: Encarnacion batted .272 in 67 games for Chattanooga in 2003 and hit .281 with 13 home runs and 76 RBIs in 120 games the next year. He played for the Reds from 2005 to '09 before being traded to Toronto.
This season: Encarnacion actually has played more first base than third this year, but he wasn't supplanting Votto for that spot. In his best season in the majors, Encarnacion is hitting .295 with 23 homers and 58 RBIs.
LEFT FIELD -- Chris Denorfia (San Diego Padres)
Lookouts career: Denorfia batted .249 in 61 Chattanooga games in 2004 and hit .330 in 46 games early in '05 before being promoted to Triple-A Louisville and ultimately Cincinnati. He was traded to Oakland, where he played during the 2008-09 seasons, and to San Diego in 2010.
This season: In 72 games, Denorfia is hitting .299 with 13 doubles and 14 RBIs.
CENTER FIELD -- Drew Stubbs (Cincinnati Reds)
Lookouts career: Chattanooga was a brief stopping point between high Single-A Sarasota and Triple-A Louisville for Stubbs during the 2008 season. In 26 Double-A games, he hit .315.
This season: Though he always has been a touted prospect, Stubbs may be the weakest link in this lineup. After hitting .267, .255 and .243 with the Reds the past three seasons, Stubbs has continued sliding with a .215 clip through 67 games this year.
RIGHT FIELD -- Jay Bruce (Cincinnati Reds)
Lookouts career: The Double-A stay for Stubbs was lengthy compared to that of Bruce, who was with the Lookouts for just 16 games in 2007. He made the most of his brief appearance by hitting .333 with 15 RBIs.
This season: Bruce is off from his .281 clip from two seasons ago, but he is on pace to have his best year in the majors from a power standpoint. Through 82 games, Bruce has amassed 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.
DESIGNATED HITTER -- Adam Dunn (Chicago White Sox)
Lookouts career: Dunn rocketed through Chattanooga on his way to the majors in 2001, hitting .343 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in 39 games with the Lookouts. He played with Cincinnati from 2001 to '08, hitting 40 or more homers every year from '04 to '07, before playing for Washington Nationals in 2009 and '10 and the Chicago White Sox the past two seasons.
This season: After hitting an abysmal .159 last season, Dunn has upped his average slightly to .208. His power after all these years is still evident, as he has racked up 25 homers and 61 RBIs.
STARTING PITCHER -- Johnny Cueto (Cincinnati Reds)
Lookouts career: Cueto briefly played for the 2007 Lookouts, compiling a 6-3 record and a 3.10 earned run average in 10 starts.
This season: Cueto has made 18 starts for Cincinnati this season, compiling a 10-5 record and a 2.39 earned run average. His single-season high of 12 wins came two years ago.
MIDDLE RELIEVER -- Javy Guerra (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Lookouts career: Guerra played in Chattanooga during the 2009-11 seasons. He lowered his ERA from 4.13 in '09 to 2.33 in '10 to 1.06 in 14 games last season before getting promoted to Los Angeles.
This season: After posting 21 saves and a 2.31 ERA last year in 47 appearances, Guerra has worked more in middle relief this season. He has a 3.12 ERA in 29 games, though he does have eight saves.
CLOSER -- Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Lookouts career: Jansen went 4-0 with a 1.67 earned run average in 22 games with the 2010 Lookouts before being called up to Los Angeles.
This season: In 39 games, Jansen has a 4-2 record and a 2.06 ERA with 15 saves. He has racked up 63 strikeouts in 39 innings.