Ozuna's stats stack up with All-Star vote leaders

MIAMI -- In Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins have a bona fide All-Star candidate.

Stanton, the 24-year-old right fielder, paced the National League in home runs (20) and RBIs (57) entering Friday. Based on the latest round of fan ballots, the slugger ranks third among all NL outfielders, which means he currently has secured one starting spot.

But Stanton isn't the only Miami outfielder putting up numbers worthy of attention.

With less fanfare, Marcell Ozuna is posting his share of impressive power numbers. The 23-year-old has 12 home runs and 42 RBIs entering Friday, numbers that compare favorably to Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers and Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen.

Puig leads NL outfielders in All-Star votes, followed by McCutchen. Like Ozuna, Puig and McCutchen each have 42 RBIs entering Friday, and they each have one fewer homer.

"You see [Ozuna's] numbers, and you understand what he's capable of doing," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "For his first full season in the big leagues, it's really going to come down to the consistency of his at-bats. He's the kind of guy you never know when he's going to hit one.

"You feel this is a guy who can get you a big hit or a big home run, but he's young. He's going to strike out two or three times and then get a big hit."

In his first full season in the big leagues, Ozuna has had his inconsistencies. His slash line is .262/.309/.449, compared to Puig's .325/.416/.549 and McCutchen's .317/.427/.537.

"As for what type of player he can be? You see the numbers and realize what he can become," Redmond said.

Ozuna may not be an All-Star right now, but the potential is there to stack up with the best at his position.