With A Bang

C: A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox MLB's premier agitator has a .795 OPS, fourth among qualified catchers.

1B: Russell Branyan, Mariners Finally a full-time player at 33, Branyan led Seattle in homers (31) and RBIs (76) before a herniated disk shelved him on Aug. 28.

SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians The 23-year-old has blossomed in his first year as Cleveland's shortstop: He was hitting .313 with 63 RBIs and 16 steals through Sunday.

3B: Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks He seems a lock to become the sixth player in history to hit 45 homers and steal 25 bases in the same season. He could garner some MVP votes, even though he's certain to break the single-season strikeout record (204), which he set last season.

OF: Adam Dunn, Nationals Dunn was hitting .281 at week's end, 15 points above his career best, and that average, combined with his 37 homers and 103 walks, has done much to silence those who would dismiss him as a two-outcome hitter.

OF: Shin-Soo Choo, Indians He's emerged as an all-around threat in his first full season as a major league starter, hitting .299 with 15 homers and 19 steals.

OF: Nyjer Morgan, Nationals Morgan exploded after being traded from Pittsburgh in June: In 49 games as a National he hit .351 with 24 stolen bases. The 29-year-old speedster, who also has a terrific glove, broke his left hand sliding on Aug. 27, but the Nats appear to have found their leadoff hitter of the future.

SP: Wandy Rodriguez, Astros The southpaw is in the midst of a true breakout season at age 30. His 2.76 ERA through Sunday was fifth best in the NL, and he had allowed more than one earned run in just two of his 13 starts since July 2.

CL: Andrew Bailey, A's He might not win the Rookie of the Year award, but his 24 saves, 2.03 ERA and 0.94 WHIP should not be overlooked.

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