Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds: Zack Cozart pulls into lead for NL SS at 2017 All-Star Game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:17 p.m. ET

Fansided, Brad Faber/FanSided via Call to the Pen

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart is having a career year at the age of 31.

On Monday, an updated report from MLB.com showed that Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart had pulled into the lead for National League shortstop in the fan vote for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game. In jumping to the top spot, Cozart bumped Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Corey Seager down to second. Per MLB, Cozart now has 997,966 votes to Seager's 804,788.

Cozart is off to a fantastic start in 2017, hitting .324/.411/.571 (155 OPS+) with nine home runs and 33 RBI over his first 56 games. His five triples have already tied a career high as well.

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Throughout his career, the 31-year-old shortstop has perhaps been known more for his defense than his ability at the plate. However, last season Cozart showed signs that he might be ready to reach another level offensively. Throughout 121 games last year, Cozart hit .252/.308/.425 (92 OPS+) with career-high 16 home runs. In addition to the improved extra-base pop, he is now hitting for a much higher average and getting on base much more consistently as well.

Cozart has also continued to impress with the glove. He is currently credited with four Defensive Runs Saved and a 13.4 UZR/150. Having provided excellent value on both sides of the ball this year, Cozart currently leads all MLB shortstops with a 2.9 fWAR. A potential All-Star selection would be much deserved.

The trade deadline and upcoming free agency

Though Cozart has been a productive player in the past, he hasn't hasn't had another season that has really been close to being on par with this one, so it will certainly be interesting to see whether or not this level of production is sustainable. Cozart will also be a free agent at the end of the season.

The Reds are currently in fourth place in the NL Central with a record of 29-34, and if they decide to become sellers, it wouldn't be shocking to see Cozart on the move. His name was mentioned in trade rumors over this past offseason, with the Seattle Mariners once rumored to be a potential fit, prior to the acquisition of Jean Segura.

As for now, it would certainly make for a nice story if Cozart could make his first All-Star team. If he continues to produce at the level he has thus far, there certainly should't be any shortage of teams interested in his services this coming winter, either.