Fantasy Baseball 2012: Robinson Cano Headlines All-Star Team for Month of June

The following slideshow touts Fantasyland's All-Star team for the month of June.

To clarify, the 27-man listing only honors statistics from the 30-day window for June and does not necessarily reflect a player's status from April, May or the preseason.

The competition among outfielders and the corner infield spots was particularly intense.

And yet, this should hardly mollify the embedded masses crying foul over alleged snubs involving Brandon Phillips, David Price, David Ortiz, Mark Trumbo, Colby Rasmus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kubel, Juan Pierre, Ben Revere, Josh Johnson, Wade Miley, Justin Verlander, Ryan Vogelsong, Scott Diamond, Clay Buchholz, Jonathan Broxton, Ernesto Frieri and Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster (not enough strikeouts), among others.

Enjoy the show!

Catcher: Miguel Montero, Arizona Diamondbacks

June Stats: 6 HR, 22 RBI, 14 Runs, .329 BA

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The seasonal numbers for Montero (eight homers, 43 RBI, 32 runs, .272 batting) have been passable at best.

But for one 30-day period, the Diamondbacks backstop put it all together, belting six homers and racking up an All-Star level OPS (1.029).

For the month, Montero registered a hit in all but five games; he also collected multiple hits in four straight games (June 19-23).

First Base: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

June Stats: 6 HR, 18 RBI, 20 Runs, 1 Steal, .392 BA

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If I recall correctly, Joey Votto was a member of the all-May squad, along with two other fantasy all-star teams during the spring. So it makes perfect sense for the top-ranked first baseman to claim June honors as well.

From a power perspective, Votto's June numbers weren't far ahead of his positional brethren. But the real separation occurred with batting average (.392), on-base percentage (.487) and OPS (1.178).

For the season, Votto (14 homers, 47 RBI, 50 runs, four steals, .350 batting) currently ranks first in runs, doubles (33), batting average, OBP (.471), slugging (.632) and OPS (1.103), among 1B-eligible assets.

In fact, his only across-the-board competition in the above categories is Miguel Cabrera, my No. 1 overall player during the preseason.

Bottom line: There is no price too high to land Votto on the trade market. Give it your best shot!

Second Base: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

June Stats: 11 HR, 21 RBI, 21 Runs, .340 BA

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Robinson Cano, who has earned back-to-back All-Star nods in this blog, probably clinched his June crown sometime around Father's Day.

There's a reason why Cano (seasonal marks: 20 homers, 47 RBI, 55 runs, .313 batting) was a top-seven overall pick during the preseason and runaway lead dog among his positional brethren.

The .340 batting average doesn't fully reveal the greatness of Cano's absurd monthly marks in OBP (.416), slugging (.730) and OPS (1.146). A respectable walk-to-strikeout ratio (12/17) set the stage for an amazing month.

For what it's worth, Cano also belted seven homers from June 17-30.

Just three days into the new month, I already love Cano's chances of taking July honors in the fantasy realm.

Third Base: David Wright, New York Mets

June Stats: 4 HR, 20 RBI, 20 Runs, 3 Steals, .340 BA

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As a long-standing rule that dates back to the late 1980s, I don't whine (or care) about All-Star snubs, or even worse, the "starters vs. benchwarmers" type of snub.

But I was shocked to see that David Wright (nine homers, 50 RBI, 53 runs, .354 batting) didn't get elected to start at third base. We're talking about a high-profile asset playing in the No. 1 media market who's also having a career year.

And yet Pablo Sandoval will start for the National League at the hot corner, with Wright presumably finishing the game at that spot. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal.

The same cannot be said about Wright's June production, which included a .426 OBP, .563 slugging and elite OPS (.989) that was just a dinger or two away from quadruple digits. From day one of the regular season, Wright has consistently ranked among the top three at his position.

In other words, no other National League third baseman can touch him in the fantasy realm.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies

June Stats: 6 HR, 16 RBI, 20 Runs, 4 Steals, .303 BA

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Apparently, reports of Jimmy Rollins' fantasy demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Not only did he flourish within all five categories during June, but Rollins also led all MLB shortstops in base hits (36) for the month. For good measure, he posted a .357 OBP and .936 OPS.

In the bigger picture, Rollins (eight homers, 45 runs, 14 steals, .259 batting) still needs another solid month to catch up with the other elite shortstops.

But it's hard to imagine him flailing at a time when Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are getting healthier by the day.

At the very least, Rollins has a decent chance at 30 steals and 90 runs by season's end.

1B/3B Slot: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

June Stats: 7 HR, 16 RBI, 16 Runs, 3 Steals, .341 BA

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The Diamondbacks couldn't have asked for a more prodigious month from Goldschmidt, who ranked second in homers, steals, batting average and OPS (1.147), among first basemen.

Goldschmidt (.732) even managed to outdistance Joey Votto (.691) in slugging over the 30-day period—no small feat in light of Votto's otherworldly production in June.

It should be noted that Goldy is not some fantasy flash in the pan. He batted .314 with three homers in May, and he accounted for 73 professional homers (including eight in the majors) for the 2010 and '11 seasons.

And at age 24, Goldschmidt just might be scratching the surface of his immense potential for the next five seasons.

2B/SS Slot: Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks

June Stats: 6 HR, 20 RBI, 16 Runs, 2 Steals, .370 BA

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History will fondly remember Aaron Hill for registering two hitting cycles in the same month, but his June success goes deeper than two amazing nights of four-hit goodness.

For example, Hill (11 homers, 38 RBI, 35 runs, seven steals) tallied 13 multiple-hit games during June, and during the 30-day period, his batting average vaulted from .257 to .301.

Hill (1.102 OPS during June) would certainly qualify as a top-10 second baseman right now,  but to attain "elite" status, he'll have to continually step it up with runs and batting average in the coming weeks.

Utility Spot: Trevor Plouffe, Minnesota Twins

June Stats: 11 HR, 21 RBI, 22 Runs, .327 BA

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Trevor Plouffe could have captured June hitting honors at any of his three eligible positions—shortstop, third base or outfield.

Among the shortstop-eligible assets, Plouffe led the fantasy realm with 11 homers.

Aside from future home run king Jose Bautista, no other 3B-eligible player could match his monthly OPS (1.126).

And only a handful of outfield stars—Andrew McCutchen, Mike Trout, Alex Gordon, Matt Holliday, Carlos Gonzalez—could boast a higher batting average/OBP combo than Plouffe's .327/.391 for June.

Put it all together, and Plouffe (18 homers, 33 RBI, 36 runs) has the foundation for a career season and similarly fruitful July.

Utility Spot: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

June Stats: 8 HR, 19 RBI, 15 Runs, 3 Steals, .319 BA

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There's no debating the greatness of Ryan Braun's numbers after 74 games—a groove that has Braun ranking first in runs, hits, homers, RBI, steals, on-base percentage, slugging and OPS among the Brewers hitters.

There's also no doubting Braun's spot in this June-focused countdown, as the marks in OBP (.390), slugging (.617) and OPS (1.007) might attest.

For the month, Braun had at least one hit in all but three games, and from June 10-16, he racked up five homers and 10 RBI. Throw in three separate days of three RBI...and it's easy to see why Braun was a no-brainer pick here.

Looking ahead, Braun is no worse than the No. 5 overall player, and from a five-category perspective, he's the quite possibly the most perfect asset to pursue in trade talks.

Outfield: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

June Stats: 7 HR, 26 RBI, 27 Runs, 4 Steals, .370 BA

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What a fitting segue, moving the discussion from Ryan Braun to Andrew McCutchen.

Like Braun with the Brewers, McCutchen is the undisputed engine that drives the Pirates offense. As of July 3, he leads the Bucs in in runs, hits, doubles, triples, homers (tied with Pedro Alvarez), steals, batting average, OBP (.407), slugging (.600) and OPS (1.007).

Of equal importance, McCutchen eclipsed his superb batting average for May (.360) by 10 points in June, begging the question: Can he make it .380 in July?

It also begs another question: Is there any reason to trade McCutchen in fantasy circles?

Short of getting two premier hitters and one high-end starting pitcher in return, GMs shouldn't be motivated to deal this fantasy force of nature.

Outfield: Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals

June Stats: 5 HR, 19 RBI, 16 Runs, 1 Steal, .337 BA

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You know Carlos Beltran is having a superb season when his May power numbers were almost double to that of June; and yet, he was a comfortable lock for this countdown.

For a second straight month, Beltran notched at least five homers, 15 runs, a .325 batting average and .400 OBP; and for a second straight month, Beltran gets credit for helping the good people of St. Louis absorb the loss of Albert Pujols from the Cardinals lineup.

With 76 games under his belt, we can now make realistic seasonal projections for Beltran—something in the neighborhood of 37 homers, 114 RBI, 94 runs, 14 steals and a batting average well above .300.

Bottom line: For the last three months, Beltran has been an ideal outfield anchor in 12-team leagues. Don't expect that status to change for July, August and September.

Outfield: Alex Rios, Chicago White Sox

June Stats: 6 HR, 16 RBI, 22 Runs, 8 Steals, .346 BA

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For all the early-season glory that Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Jake Peavy and Chris Sale received here, it's a little surprising Alex Rios could sneak in through the back door.

But make no mistake about this selection, Rios was an absolute no-brainer for the June countdown, which includes strong marks in slugging (.598) and OPS (.950).

The one head-scratcher to Rios's 30-day campaign: He produced just one walk from a month of 108 plate appearances. Even with a .346 batting average and six homers, Rios still couldn't sucker the opposition into two free passes.

That's an incredible stat line for Rios, but then again, the White Sox hitters and pitchers are full of quirky trends this season.

Outfield: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

June Stats: 3 HR, 16 RBI, 27 Runs, 14 Steals, .372 BA

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For all of March and April, I touted Mike Trout's near-lock capacity for 20 homers and 20 steals in just a four-month campaign.

I also predicted that he'd be baseball's next 40/40 dynamo.

And even if he falls short of cracking 11 more homers from July 3-Sept. 30, the following point has already been established:

Trout (seasonal marks: nine homers, 33 RBI, 51 runs, 22 steals, .339 batting) is the next runaway-train superstar. Ahead of Bryce Harper. Ahead of Giancarlo Stanton. Ahead of any hitter who's currently carving up the minor leagues.

The June numbers are one more piece of evidence in the 20-year-old's favor: Trout had a .419 OBP, .950 OPS and MLB-high 42 hits during that 30-day span.

Outfield: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

June Stats: 14 HR, 30 RBI, 24 Runs, 1 Steal, .271 BA

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Let us count the ways as to why Bautista (1.158 OPS for June) made this countdown:

1. With 14 homers for June and 27 for the season, Bautista is a shoo-in for 40 homers and strong candidate for 50 by season's end.

2. Of the top-60 outfielders, only Ben Zobrist (Rays) and David Murphy (Rangers) could match Bautista in terms of positive walk-to-strikeout ratio (22/16). His plate discipline is off the charts these days; it also helps explain Bautista's .408 OBP for June.

3. This accomplishment didn't get a ton of run last week, but Bautista also captured the RBI crown among outfielders, with 30.

How's this for quirky balance: Bautista produced two runs of 15 RBI in separate 12-day spans—June 2-14 and June 18-30.

At this point, it would be an upset if Bautista, health permitting, didn't win the home run title. It would also be unwise to trade him for anything short of three healthy stars.

Outfield: Hunter Pence, Philadelphia Phillies

June Stats: 5 HR, 18 RBI, 20 Runs, 1 Steal, .327 BA

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In the absence of monster numbers for at least one category, Hunter Pence still earns the last hitters' spot in the countdown.

Pence's rock-solid month included a .384 on-base percentage, .915 OPS and 13 games of multiple hits. From a quirky perspective, it also featured homers on June 1 and 2...and June 28, 29, 30—with nothing in between.

Last but not least, it's important to note that Pence thrived in June, even though his Phillies incurred three separate streaks of three or more defeats. At one point, Philadelphia lost nine of 10 games, with Pence batting .300 during that stretch.

Speaking of which, it may be too late for Pence (16 homers, 48 RBI, 56 runs, .285 BA) to fulfill my preseason prediction of winning the National League batting title; but it's not too late for him (and Jimmy Rollins) to revive the Phillies' playoff hopes.

12 Happy Men: The All-Star Pitchers for June

In case you're wondering, these 12 pitchers qualified as June All-Stars:

(in no particular order)

OBA: Opponents' batting average

SP R.A. Dickey, Mets (above)

June stats: 5-0, 0.93 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 55/8 K-BB, .131 OBA

SP Matt Cain, Giants
June stats: 4-1, 2.11 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 48/10 K-BB, .205 OBA

SP Zack Greinke, Brewers
June stats: 3-0, 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 33/6 K-BB, .203 OBA

SP Madison Bumgarner, Giants
Stats: 5-0, 2.42 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 45/8 K-BB, .220 OBA

SP A.J. Burnett, Pirates
Stats: 5-0, 2.84 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 27/15 K-BB, .209 OBA

SP Hiroki Kuroda, Yankees
Stats: 4-1, 1.98 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 43/10 K-BB, .211 OBA

SP Matt Harrison, Rangers
Stats: 5-0, 1.29 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 24/10 K-BB, .224 OBA

SP Johnny Cueto, Reds
Stats: 4-1, 1.72 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 33/7 K-BB, .211 OBA

SP Chris Sale, White Sox
Stats: 3-0, 2.15 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 33/8 K-BB, .198 OBA

SP Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
Stats: 4-2, 3.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 52/10 K/BB, .206 OBA

Closer: Tyler Clippard, Nationals
Stats: 0.00 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 12/6 K-BB, 10-for-10 save opps

Closer: Rafael Soriano, Yankees
Stats: 1.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 8/3 K-BB, 11-for-12 save opps