AL All-Star Team Projection

My All Star Game

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a big fan of Major League Baseball’s All Star game, played every year in early July. However, one thing I am not a fan of is the voting. Those who play in big market cities always seem to make much more of a presence in the all star voting even if they are undeserving compared to superior talent in smaller market cities. Another problem with the voting is that fans who don’t have a good knowledge of the game will only vote for the most famous players knowing nothing about their performance that year other than if they have a good past reputation. With that being said, I would like to take some time to propose my own all star team, assuming that those who are most deserving make the team, not considering porous voting methods at all. I’d also like to note however that I will utilize the rule that at least one player from every team has to make the squads.

American League All Star Starters

1B: David Ortiz (BOS): It was tough to pick between Ortiz who has a higher average and on base percentage and Morneau who has more homers and RBI, however Ortiz’s OBP of nearly .450 is way too high to ignore.

2B BJ Upton (TB): The mega Devil Rays prospect is finally emerging into a superstar. With a .320 average, 9 home runs, 31 RBI and 13 steals and OBP of nearly .400, how could one ignore this Devil Rays star in the making.

3B: Alex Rodriguez (NYY): I’m not even going to waste space explaining this one, he is on pace to set the American League home run record.

SS: Derek Jeter (NYY): While this sounds like an easy decision, it was very difficult not to pick Orlando Cabrera. Their batting averages, home run totals and RBI production are nearly identical, however Jeter’s OBP is about 30 points higher and he plays gold glove defense.

Of: Magglio Ordonez (DET): He’s batting .383 with an OBP of .459 and he isn’t winning in the voting right now, anyone still unsure why I hate voting?

Of: Vladimir Guerrero (LAA): Guerrero is having a phenomenal season with a .327 batting average, 13 home runs and 66 RBI up to this point. His RBI totals are only behind Ordonez among all major league outfielders. He has a gun in right field also.

Of: Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): I had a really tough time picking between Ichiro and Sheffield, however Ichiro is batting .356 and has stolen 22 bases in 24 attempts, gotta show some love for the table setters.

C: Jorge Posada (NYY): Victor has a small edge in homers and RBI; however Posada’s .342 batting average and OBP of .400 cannot be ignored.

Starting pitcher: Dan Haren (OAK): What an unbelievable year this man is having. A sparking 1.78 ERA, a WHIP of .901, not to mention a 9-2 record. Sorry Johan, this one is easy.

The Reserves:

1b: Justin Morneau (MIN)
1b: Carlos Pena (TB)
2b: Brian Roberts (BAL)
2b: Placido Polanco (DET)
SS: Orlando Cabrera (LAA)
SS: Carlos Guillen
3b: Mike Lowell (BOS)
3b: Troy Glaus
Of: Gary Sheffield (DET)
Of: Torii Hunter (MIN)
Of: Grady Sizemore (CLE)
Of: Sammy Sosa (TEX)
C: Victor Martinez (CLE)

P: Josh Beckett: (BOS)
P: John Lackey (LAA)
P: C. C Sabathia (CLE)
P: Justin Verlander (DET)
P: Johan Santana (MIN)
P: Gil Meche (KC)
P: Kelvim Escobar (LAA)
P: Bobby Jenks (CHW)
P: J.J Putz (SEA)
P: Jon Papelbon (BOS)

Just Missed List:

1b: Kevin Youkilis (BOS) (Mark Texieira injury prevents him from being on this list)
2b: Dustin Pedroia (BOS)
3b: Casey Blake (CLE) (Yes third base was very weak this year)
SS: Miguel Tejada (BAL)
Of: Alex Rios (TOR)
Of: Manny Ramirez (BOS)
Of: Carl Crawford (TB)
C: Kenji Johjima (SEA)
P: Fausto Carmona (CLE)
P: Jeremy Bonderman (DET)
P: Roy Halladay (TOR)
P: Francisco Rodriguez (LAA) (He really got screwed over by the White Sox having nobody other than Jenks on the team)