All-Start Game Break & Mini Week Standouts

It's tricky selecting an MLBoyfriend the week of the All-Star Game. A week later, the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game seem like old news. Then, the shortened week following doesn't allow players to build up really impressive stats. So, this year, I'd like to showcase a few past MLBoyfriends who did something to catch my eye last week.

Cal Raleigh

The Big Dumper won the Home Run Derby! It's a life-long dream come true.

Elly De La Cruz

For a couple of years, I did a top ten countdown of my favorite looks on the ASG Red Carpet. If I had done that this year, Elly De La Cruz would have taken the #1 spot.

Ronald Acuña Jr.

On Saturday, July 19, Ronald Acuña Jr. made one of the best throws from the outfield ever. Seriously, check this out:

Joe Ryan

After pitching a perfect full inning at the ASG, Joe Ryan threw a hell of a game for my beleaguered Twins on Sunday, July 20. He went 7 full innings giving up just 5 hits, 0 walks, and 1 earned run while striking out 11 batters.

Luis Robert Jr.

If I were forced to pick an MLBoyfriend for the abbreviated week following the ASG, it would have been the handsome Luis Robert Jr. He did put up some very good numbers going 4 for 14 at the plate with a 1.302 OPS. He scored 7 runs, batted in 5 and stole 3 bases. Again, very good, but not quiet the wow factor an MLBoyfriend should have.

Nice work, boys! We'll be back to business as usual next week.

Elly De La Cruz

Elly De La Cruz is the second member of the Cincinnati Reds squad that I've featured in as many weeks. I usually like the spread the wealth around a bit more--but the Reds have been hot and so have their players.

De La Cruz had a game on Monday, April 8th. The switch hitter hit two homers--one from each side of the plate. As if that weren't enough, the second was an inside-the-park home run. Let's go to the tape.

That was just how De La Cruz started the week. He kept going strong and ended up with 8 hits, 8 runs, 4 home runs, 7 RBI and a stolen base. His batting average for the week was .348 and he had a 1.313 OPS. Nice work.

Congratulations, Elly De La Cruz! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.

Elly De La Cruz

I guess it's not a huge surprise that I'd never heard of Elly De La Cruz before this week. He is a rookie after all, so he hasn't had much time to get on my radar. Also, despite my undying love for Joey Votto, I don't really pay that much attention to the Cincinnati Reds.

I think De La Cruz came to a lot of baseball fans' attention with his amazing performance last week. He had 11 hits in 25 at bats for a .440 average. He had 5 RBI--which double his count for the season. Just to top it all off, he had 2 stolen bases.

De La Cruz had his biggest night of the week on Friday, June 23. That night, he hit for the cycle--meaning he got a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game. This is one of the rarest achievements in baseball. It's the first time in 29 years that a player for the Reds has done it.

De La Cruz is having a terrific rookie year. He's the first player since the "World Series Era" began in 1903 to have at least 20 hits, 5 stolen bases, and 3 home runs in their first 15 games. I would also like to point out that he is very handsome and has maybe the best hair in the MLB.

Congratulations, Elly De La Cruz! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week. Also, nice job on being named the National League Player of the Week. You richly deserve both titles.