NL All-Star Starters: May Edition

So, the first month of baseball is over, but I'm going to create my first installment of potential All-Star Starters.  This will be based on who deserves it, not who will get the spots, because of these god-forsaken fan votes.  So here it goes, NL today, AL tomorrow.

C: Geovany Soto, Cubs

The things that this rookie has done are incredible.  He leads all MLB catchers in almost every statistical category (.352 BA, 6 HR, 24 RBI).  

1B: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Sure many could campaign for Derrek Lee here, but Pujols has led the Cardinals to a surprisingly hot start.  No one can deny the April he had (.355 BA, 6 HR, 24 RBI).  #5 gets my vote here.

2B: Chase Utley, Phillies

Is this even a competition?  Utley has been the best offensive player in baseball thus far, compiling mind-blowing power stats for a second baseman.  Utley is tearing the cover off the ball (.362 BA, 13 HR, 26 RBI).  Not to mention he has had numerous web-gems.

SS: Rafael Furcal, Dodgers

Yes, I took into consideration the great month Marlins' stud Hanley Ramirez had.  What's scary is that Furcal had an even better month.  Although Furcal's power numbers aren't quite what Ramirez's are, he has a .366 BA compared to Ramirez's .317.  And if any of you have been watching highlights, Furcal is all over the field defensively making plays.  Furcal gets the nod here.

3B: Chipper Jones, Braves

This future HOF'er has put up some gaudy numbers, including hitting .425, over 100 points higher than any other NL third baseman.  Who's to say he's going to slow down?  Chipper Jones has been a hell of a player for a long time, and this season will be no exception.

LF: Pat Burrell, Phillies

In what used to be perennially owned by Barry Bonds, Burrell beats out a less-than-stellar LF bunch.  Burrell, joining Utley in the starting lineup, has hit 9 HR, in addition to knocking in 30 runs, while hitting .315.  He definitely deserves this spot.

CF: Nate McLouth, Pirates

Yeah, you read that correctly, Nate McLouth.  After several mediocre seasons with the Pirates, McLouth has been a real offensive threat this season.  After pounding 7 HRs and 25 RBIs, and with no real offensive spark-plug in the remaining NL centerfielders, McLouth should get the start.

RF: Justin Upton, Diamondbacks

You would have to imagine that someone from the best team in baseball would start, right?  Indeed.  Upton is hitting at a .348 clip, with 5 HR and 16 RBIs.  This young talent can really rake.  Sorry Xavier Nady, two outfield Pirates are too many for an All-Star game.

SP: Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks

There is no way anyone can say at this point that a 7-0 pitcher shouldn't start the All-Star game.  Webb has been virtually unhittable, with a 2.49 ERA in 47 innings of work.  Webb also has the least BBs by any contending pitcher, to go along with 37 K's.  Webb will pitch quite an admirable three-or-so innings if he gets to start in the All-Star game.

CL: Billy Wagner, Mets

He has been lights out this year, returning to his form from just a matter of years ago.  He has yet to give up a run after pitching 13 innings, and has walked just two batters in the process.  Opponents are hitting just .070 off of him.  I think it's pretty obvious, Wagner is so dominant when he's on.

Snubs:

*SP Carlos Zambrano- When you go 4-1 with a 2.11 ERA, you would expect to start in the All-Star game, but Zambrano may need to put up a couple more victories to edge out Webb.

*1B Derrek Lee- It's really unfortunate that Lee has to play the same position as the best player in baseball.  Otherwise, he would be an All-Star each and every season.

*SS Miguel Tejada- No one knew how well he would convert to the NL playing style, but he's done one hell of a job.  With 5 HR and 25 RBIs, Tejada makes a strong case for an All-Star starting job, but instead he's third string behind Furcal and Ramirez.