Midseason All-NECBL Team

Roulis has excelled for the Mountaineers. /Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

Just like that, we're at the midway point of the 2015 NECBL season. The All-Star game at Goodall Park in Sanford is under two weeks away, so that's my cue to go position-by-position and identify the best players through the first month of the summer.

I'm identify the best player at the various positions, as well as a starting pitcher. It's not an actual thing, of course, and I'll update it in a week or so with my picks for the 2015 All-Star game from each division.

To be eligible for a position, the player had to have started at least 10 games there.

Catcher: Drew Lugbauer, Newport Gulls

In Laconia's Deon Stafford and Ocean State's Chuckie Robinson, the NECBL has seen two excellent catchers both ranking in the top 15 in the league in average. Robinson has slugged six home runs and Stafford already has seven doubles.

However, I'm going with a more well-rounded player in Drew Lugbauer, who's established himself as the best defensive catcher in the league and isn't too shabby at the plate either. In 20 games he's hit .308 with a .992 OPS, 70 points higher then Stafford. He also has a pair of home runs and five more walks then strikeouts.

Lugbauer's defense, meanwhile, has been outstanding. He's thrown out a ridiculous 44 percent of would-be base stealers, much better than Stafford (25%) and Robinson (25%). He's caught 14 games behind the plate and has already thrown out 12 runners.

Honorable Mention: Deon Stafford, Laconia Muskrats; Chuckie Robinson, Ocean State Waves

First Base: Tim Lynch, Ocean State Waves

Lynch has already slugged seven home runs in just 20 games, and is just two away from tying 2014 MVP Blaise Salter's total from all of last year. He also doesn't fit the prototypical slugger stereotype as he's struck out just eight times in 86 plate appearances (9.3%).

He's hitting .315 and has already drawn 11 walks, and he has the third highest slugging among qualified batters. Lynch has good discipline at the plate as has excelled for the Waves since joining them midway through 2014, and is a big reason they've won nine of their last 10 games.

Honorable Mention: Shaine Hughes, Sanford Mainers

Second Base: Thomas Roulis, Vermont Mountaineers

Roulis has risen from an All-Star with Vermont in 2013 to a second team All-NECBLer in Plymouth in 2014 and he's continuing his climb this summer. After not playing this spring with Dartmouth after suffering an injury, Roulis has opened this summer at an incredible pace.

After arriving in Vermont just before the summer started, Roulis opened with a 10-game hitting streak and hasn't slowed down. He leads the league with a .466 batting average (34-for-73), 34 hits and a .500 on-base percentage. Roulis also ranks near the top with eight doubles, a .616 slugging percentage and 45 total bases.

Honorable Mention: Jake Lumley, Valley Blue Sox

Shortstop: Tyler Orris, New Bedford Bay Sox

Shortstop has been somewhat of a weak position this year, and Orris is a rung above the rest. In 20 games for the Bay Sox, he's hitting .333 with seven stolen bases. He put together a 12-game hitting streak earlier this summer and reached base safely for 15 straight games as well.

Patient at the plate, Orris has drawn 14 walks to just four strikeouts. His seven stolen bases rank fifth in the league and his 3.5 BB/K ratio ranks first in the NECBL.

Honorable Mention: Garrett Copeland, Vermont Mountaineers

Third Base: Mandy Alvarez, Plymouth Pilgrims

Just 10 players have made 10 appearances at third base this summer, as teams have shifted players around. Plymouth's Alvarez has only played in 11 games this summer, but what he's accomplished already is very impressive. He already earned NECBL Player of the Week honors, and has slugged three home runs and eight doubles.

Alvarez is hitting .455 (20 for his first 44) and has six multi-hit outings in his first 11 games. He has nine RBIs and already ranks second in doubles and fifth in home runs.

Honorable Mention: Braxton Martinez, Laconia Muskrats

Outfielder: Brent Rooker, Plymouth Pilgrims

First in slugging, RBIs, total bases, hits and runs, Rooker is enjoying a MVP-caliber season. Through 19 games, Rooker has dominated offensively to the tune of a 1.161 OPS and five home runs. He's been easily the best outfielder in the league with a .430 average, ranking only behind Roulis in the league. Rooker's .430/.465/.696 slash line is very impressive in his second year of the summer.

Last season, he finished in the top five in the league in home runs and competed in the home run derby. He didn't win, but could make a splash at this years All-Star game.

Honorable Mentions: Joven Afenir, Newport Gulls; Ben Ruta, Mystic Schooners; Garrett McCain, Valley Blue Sox

Starting Pitcher: Tim Viehoff, Laconia Muskrats

Quite a few starting pitchers have made a name for themselves this summer, but Viehoff distinguishes himself. The league leader in wins (4) and strikeouts (36), Viehoff's Muskrats are undefeated in his five starts.

All five of his appearances have been quality starts, and he's given up just one earned run in 32 innings. Along the way, he's struck out just about 10 batters per nine innings. He has a sub-1.00 WHIP and a 0.28 ERA along with a 4-0 record.

Honorable Mention: Keven Pimentel, Plymouth Pilgrims