by Tim Anderson

Created on: September 11, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Surprise Triple Crown Candidate

Some may call it an obsession, I call it a fascination. I am talking about my interest in Aubrey Huff. He has had the best season as an Orioles hitter I have seen in a long time. I have talked about how he compares to Albert Pujols among other things. Now, his Triple Crown chances deserve mentioning.

However impossible it may be for him to win the Triple Crown in the AL, he still has an impact in every category of the Triple Crown.

RBIs- Aubrey Huff- 103- 5th in the AL

Before the '08 season started, it was deemed nearly impossible to have 100 RBIs batting in this Orioles line-up. However, Aubrey Huff has proved that all wrong. In only 138 games, Aubrey has driven in himself or a teammate 103 times. He is currently in sole possession of fifth place in the AL. Closely behind him is injured Carlos Quentin who will not return this season, and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Both of those players have 103. In front of Huff there are only four people. These players are Raul Ibanez, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Morneau, and Josh Hamilton. In 4th place, Raul Ibanez is only 2 RBIs ahead of Huff with 105. He is currently 21 RBIs behind the league leader and slumping since the All-Star break Josh Hamilton.

I personally don't think he will be able to catch Hamilton ahead of him. However, I feel that he will finish in the top 5 for sure and maybe even a top 3.

Homeruns- Aubrey Huff- 31- T5th in the AL

If I told you in April that the Orioles would have a 30 homerun hitter, you would have tore me apart. Who would have thought it? Aubrey Huff putting out 31 balls in an Orioles uniform. His 31 HRs have been good enough for fifth in the AL. tied with Josh Hamilton. In June, if I told you that Aubrey Huff would have the same amount of homeruns as Josh Hamilton in September, you would have torn me apart even more. The closest behind Aubrey is Jim Thome with 30 and Jason Giambi with 29. Huff is only 5 homeruns behind the now injured Carlos Quentin for the league lead. He may be able to go on a power streak and eclipse Quentin for the league lead.

Batting Average- Aubrey Huff- .315- 6th in the AL

This is the only one of the three Triple Crown categories that Huff is not in the top 5 in. The player who is #5 is Ian Kinsler and he is out for the year. Huff is batting .315 for the year. Kinsler is batting .319 in front of him. The league leader is only batting .328. Huff can very well catch the league leader and he will catch the man in 5th place. Aubrey Huff will finish in the top 5 in every Triple Crown category in the AL.

Learn more about this author, Tim Anderson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.