Last week I gave you my choices for the American League All-Star team, now it's time to check out who should be starting for the National League squad.C: Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves
Stats: .316 AVG/8 HR/31 RBI/.405 OBP/.526 SLG/.931 OPS/146 OPS+
I was kind of surprised when I looked at the NL catchers and saw that McCann was the only one who is really having a productive offensive season. Chris Iannetta, who was my pre-season pick as All-Star catcher in the NL, has the second highest OPS+ among NL catchers, but he’s batting just .226 right now.
Next in line: Yadier Molina (.277 AVG/5 HR/24 RBI/92 OPS+) is a below average catcher offensively, but defensively he might be the best catcher in the game and has thrown out 10 of the possible 22 runners that have attempted to steal on him.
1B: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Stats: .328 AVG/28 HR/74 RBI/.451 OBP/.722 SLG/1.173 OPS/207 OPS+
Uh…yeah, did you expect to see anyone else named as my starting 1B in the NL? I certainly hope not, because there’s no way you can consider anyone other than Pujols here.
Next in line: Adrian Gonzalez (.271 AVG/24 HR/47 RBI/175 OPS+) and Prince Fielder (.301 AVG/19 HR/73 RBI/167 OPS+) would also be great choices to start at 1B if not for Pujols hitting like his typical beastly self. Todd Helton (.318 AVG/9 HR/53 RBI/134 OPS+) and Ryan Howard (.256 AVG/20 HR/59 RBI/124 OPS+) are also having All-Star worthy seasons. Joey Votto (.351 AVG/9 HR/37 RBI/174 OPS+) is worth some mention as well, because he has been creaming the ball this season, but is probably not going to get selected since he has only 151 AB’s.
2B: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Stats: .302 AVG/16 HR/51 RBI/7 SB/.433 OBP/.558 SLG/.991 OPS/158 OPS+
Utley is another no-brainer choice to start for the NL, since he is far and away the most productive 2B in the league. He’s also on the positive side defensively, which is a good thing for someone who plays up the middle in the infield.
Next in line: Brandon Phillips (.273 AVG/11 HR/51 RBI/11 SB/112 OPS+) is having a decent season offensively and he’s also a Gold Glove caliber defensive player at 2B. Clint Barmes (.289 AVG/9 HR/38 RBI/6 SB/110 OPS+) and Freddy Sanchez (.313 AVG/6 HR/31 RBI/4 SB/123 OPS+) have also been solid this season, but I feel like Phillips should definitely be the back-up at 2B in the NL.
3B: David Wright, New York Mets
Stats: .342 AVG/4 HR/39 RBI/20 SB/.432 OBP/.484 SLG/.919 OPS/144 OPS+
3B in the NL was a tough one to choose between Wright, Pablo Sandoval, Ryan Zimmerman, and even Mark Reynolds. However, despite a lack of power, Wright is still having a solid season with the bat and he also has 20 SB’s, so I chose him as the starter.
Next in line: I didn’t even realize that Pablo Sandavol (.340 AVG/11 HR/38 RBI/151 OPS+) was having such a good season at the plate and at 22 years old he could be an All-Star for many years to come even if he doesn’t make the team this season. Ryan Zimmeran (.299 AVG/12 HR/43 RBI/126 OPS+) could get some consideration for his fielding alone, which is Gold Glove caliber, but he has been pretty productive at the plate as well. Mark Reynolds (.268 AVG/21 HR/54 RBI/13 SB/132 OPS+) is also worthy of All-Star consideration. Two old-timers, Chipper Jones (.289 AVG/9 HR/33 RBI/135 OPS+) and Casey Blake (.293 AVG/11 HR/48 RBI/128 OPS+) could have a case as well; although Chipper is an atrocious defender at 3B.
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Stats: .333 AVG/12 HR/51 RBI/11 SB/.400 OBP/.548 SLG/.948 OPS/150 OPS+
Hanley might be the best player in the NL not named Pujols and is a clear cut selection to start in the NL at SS. He’s also on the plus side defensively and leads all NL SS in putouts.
Next in line: A revived Miguel Tejada (.330 AVG/6 HR/41 RBI/121OPS+) and Troy Tulowitzki (.263 AVG/12 HR/31 RBI/11 SB/116 OPS+) are the best choices after Hanley. Tulowitzki is far, far better in the field than Tejada though.
OF: Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies
Stats: .312 AVG/22 HR/59 RBI/4 SB/.371 OBP/.656 SLG/1.027 OPS/163 OPS+
Ibanez is a no-brainer choice in the NL OF. He was having a career year before he got injured and may not be able to play in the game but he deserves the starting nod regardless. He’s actually been around average defensively in LF for the Phillies as well.
OF: Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stats: .318 AVG/14 HR/45 RBI/10 SB/.399 OBP/.580 SLG/.978 OPS/149 OPS+
I also considered Carlos Beltran (.336 AVG/8 HR/40 RBI/11 SB/151 OPS+) for this spot since it’s most likely going to be the starting CF, but since he’s hurt I decided to go with Upton instead. Upton is having a breakout season and is also one of the premier defensive RF in baseball with an excellent arm.
OF: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
Stats: .324 AVG/16 HR/53 RBI/6 SB/.415 OBP/.575 SLG/.990 OPS/160 OPS+
Braun is mashing the ball as usual this season and deserves to start in the NL OF because of his offense as much as Ibanez does. He’s still weak defensively, but his bat is strong enough to overlook his defense in this case.
Next in line: I already mentioned Beltran (.336 AVG/8 HR/40 RBI/11 SB/151 OPS+), who has been solid at the plate this season, but surprisingly has been a negative defender, which some people feel is due to the spacious new home field of the Mets. Brad Hawpe (.329 AVG/12 HR/55 RBI/154 OPS+) has been raking the ball for the Rockies this season, but is an extremely poor defender even for a RF. Matt Kemp (.311 AVG/10 HR/41 RBI/18 SB/127 OPS+) is one of the best young all-around players in the game and might be the best defensive CF in baseball. He is definitely worthy of an All-Star selection.
After Beltran, Kemp, and Hawpe; Adam Dunn (.257 AVG/19 HR/53 RBI/140 OPS+) & Hunter Pence (.316 AVG/10 HR/32 RBI/8 SB/139 OPS+) would be the only other NL OF’s I would consider the All-Star team.
SP: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
Stats: 7-2/2.57 ERA/124 K/105 IP/170 ERA+
Lincecum is the league leader in K's and the reigning NL Cy Young, so you can't go wrong with selecting him as the starter for the All-Star Game
Next In Line: Plenty of other pitchers worthy of All-Star consideration, including Dan Haren (6-5/2.25 ERA/104 K/108 IP/203 ERA+), Matt Cain (9-2/2.57 ERA/85 K/101.2 IP/170 ERA+), Johnny Cueto (7-4/2.86 ERA/70 K/97.2 IP/157 ERA+), Josh Johnson (7-1/2.76 ERA/94 K/111 IP/153 ERA+), Yovani Gallardo (8-4/2.86 ERA/102 K/97.2 IP/150 ERA+), Johan Santana (9-5/3.08 ERA/100 K/96.1 IP/139 ERA+), & Chad Billingsley (9-3/3.10 ERA/99 K/104.2 IP/137 ERA+).
More: MLB & MLB Weekly
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