MLB All-Star Game: Who Gets in From the American League?

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Candidates: Chone Figgins, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Brian Fuentes

Hunter will make the team as he is having an outstanding year (17 HR, 56 RBI, .306 avg., 12 SB).

Figgins will likely get in with his .315 batting average and OBP of .392.  Also, 23 stolen bases can't hurt his resume.

On the surface, Abreu should make the team, but his low home run total (four) might keep him away. 

Rivera will have to go on some kind of tear to get in.

Weaver and Saunders have similar records, but Weaver's numbers are far better so he will get the nod on the staff.

Fuentes' 3.62 ERA has no place on an All-Star team, even with 22 saves.

IN: Hunter, Figgins, Weaver

OUT: Abreu, Rivera, Saunders, Fuentes

Texas Rangers

Candidates: Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton, Kevin Millwood, Frank Francisco, Scott Feldman

Kinsler is in a battle with Boston's Dustin Pedroia for the starting gig at second base, though Kinsler is at the very least a reserve infielder and a sure-fire All-Star.

Young could sneak in at third base, though Chone Figgins and Brandon Inge have better resumes.

Cruz has the same numbers as Detroit's Curtis Granderson, but is doing it in a more hitter-friendly park; he is out.

Hamilton is only listed here because the fans currently have him as the third outfielder.  He's played 35 games this season; wake up people.

Franciso's injury costs him a spot in the bullpen, while Feldman's less-than-thrilling numbers earn him a spot on his couch at home.

Millwood looks like an All-Star (8-5, 2.64 ERA), however.

IN: Kinsler, Millwood

OUT: Young, Cruz, Hamilton, Francisco, Feldman

Seattle Mariners

Candidates: Ichiro Suzuki, Russell Branyan, Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, David Aardsma

The Mariners will have plenty of candidates from their pitching staff.

Aardsma will get in because his ERA is too good to pass up at 1.49. 

King Felix will get in because he has almost as many K's as innings pitched (107 in 109).

Erik Bedard would have gotten in if he was healthy, but he has only made 11 starts this season.  Washburn is about 50/50.

Ichiro will be voted in by the fans, so pencil him in there.  Branyan is an interesting story.

His 19 home runs are impressive, but, again, the league is filled with superstar first basemen.  Big Tex, Miggy, and Morneau are all more deserving.

IN: Aardsma, Hernandez, Ichiro

OUT: Branyan, Bedard, Washburn

Oakland Athletics

Candidates: Dallas Braden, Andrew Bailey

This team will not get a bat, that's for certain.

Bailey is your best bet, A's fans. 

With 54 K's in 46 innings and a 2.14 ERA, he looks the part.

Braden does not have enough K's or wins to make this All-Star squad.

IN: Bailey

OUT: Braden

So there you have it. 

There are 35 players listed, but that could change with fan voting and injuries of players. 

Any way you slice it, the American League will be stacked yet again.

Can the National League prevail after a dozen years of futility?

From the looks of it, it will be very, very tough.

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