Detroit Tigers: Alex Avila is MLB's best offensive catcher, should be All-Star

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May 20, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Alex Avila (right) is congratulated by third base coach Dave Clark (25) after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Leading the way

Among catchers with 110 plate appearances (Avila has 115), the Detroit Tigers player is third in both on-base percentage and on-base percentage.

He also ranks first in slugging percentage, ISO, wOBA, OPS and wRC+.

In fact, Avila is the only catcher with an OPS over 1.000 at this point in the season. Elsewhere, his 178 wRC+ checks in 11 points above the next backstop, Buster Posey.

To find the next best American League catcher in terms of wRC+, you have to go all the way down to Russell Martin, who ranks fifth.

Martin’s wRC+ is currently sitting at 123.

With a number of standout offensive numbers, it is surprising that Avila isn’t in the All-Star consideration.

Of course, he would have had to have been voted for as a write-in candidate given James McCann’s presence on the ballot, but the fact remains that Avila should be in the All-Star mix.

Major League Baseball’s official public relations Twitter account showed the current balloting for American League All-Stars as of May 31 in a tweet on Wednesday.

The top five in voting for American League catcher were as follows: Salvador Perez (Kansas City), Welington Castillo (Baltimore), Brian McCann (Houston), Gary Sanchez (New York) and Yan Gomes (Cleveland).