When looking at some of the players of tomorrow, Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez is definitely one to watch. The man known as CarGo is one of the five players subject to fan voting as part of the National League’s All-Star Final Vote, along with Padres closer Heath Bell, Reds first baseman Joey Votto, Braves lefty Billy Wagner and Nationals third bagger Ryan Zimmerman. The Rockies’ center fielder is hoping to head to his first Midsummer Classic.

Gonzalez is in his third season in the majors, although this will be his first full year. He played half a year in Oakland in 2008 and another split season between Triple-A Colorado Springs and Colorado last year. In 2010, Gonzalez has really turned up his production and is set to crush all of his previous seasons’ totals, both as is as well as projected over 162 games. Gonzalez’s all-star campaign pitch to get the fans on his side was short and sweet: “Vote for me.”

So far, Gonzalez is batting .295 with a .329 on-base percentage. He has 88 hits including 14 home runs and added 52 RBIs – all career highs – in 71 games; 14 fewer than his next lowest total of 85 in 2008. He also has scored 49 runs and has nine doubles and four triples. On top of all that, he has 12 steals in 17 attempts. Gonzalez is quickly proving to be a real deal outfielder that can be a huge building block for the Rockies for years.

Colorado has made great strides in recent years, most significantly in 2007 when they made their first trip to the World Series and were swept by the Red Sox. Now, with Gonzalez and all-star teammates in Ubaldo Jimenez and Troy Tulowitzki; both making their first appearance, Colorado has serious motivation to try to be buyers instead of sellers at the trade deadline. They’re third in the NL West, but are only 1.5 games back of the Wild Card Dodgers. Now is the time for the Rockies, and they really need to go for it.