The MLB Non-Stars: Overlooked Players Sparkling on the Diamond

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

I like to do this thing every year called the MLB Non-Star team.

And it seems as if every year, my criteria and make-up for the team changes slightly.

There remains one constant, though.

Pick players who didn't make the All-Star team.

In this case, I'm picking players who didn't make my own All-Star team.

One thing is also for sure as far as the make-up goes. These are all players who are having good years. Most of them don't get the publicity that others do and there is one common theme you'll notice throughout both teams.

The players on this team all come together to form an actual team, not just a collection of players having the best years.

This year's team has expanded. I've got the set lineup that includes the designated hitter position, three bench spots, a full starting rotation, and a bullpen that now has three extra spots. I added the three spots to better help recognize role players.

Here is a bit of a refresher from last year's team though.

American League

C: A.J. Pierzynski, 1B: Casey Kotchman, 2B: Akinori Iwamura, 3B: Mike Lowell, SS: Jhonny Peralta, OF: BJ Upton, Nick Markakis, David Murphy, DH: Aubrey Huff, SP: Felix Hernandez, Gavin Floyd, John Danks, Nick Blackburn, Jon Lester, RP: Dan Wheeler, Scott Linebrink, Bobby Jenks, RS: Casey Blake, Brian Roberts, Magglio Ordonez.

National League

C: Ryan Doumit, 1B: Derrek Lee, 2B: Brandon Phillips, 3B: Garrett Atkins, SS: Jose Reyes, OF: Carlos Beltran, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, DH: Mark Teixeira, SP: Cole Hamels, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Kyle Lohse, Chad Billingsley, RP: Taylor Buchholz, Carlos Marmol, Jon Rauch, RS: Mark DeRosa, Ryan Theriot, Randy Winn.

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