AL All-Star Starters: May Edition

Like I promised in my NL edition, the AL version would be made shortly thereafter.   So here it goes, the superior league in the MLB, talent-wise.

C: Joe Mauer, Twins

Look up "hitter" in a sports dictionary, and you find a picture of Mauer.  This kid is only 25, and already hitting .300 on a consistent basis.  Mauer, this year, has returned to his 2006 form by hitting .337.  Although he doesn't have impressive power numbers (0 HR, 14 RBIs), neither do other catchers.  This would surely be Jorge Posada's spot if he didn't have a serious shoulder injury.

1B: Casey Kotchman, Angels

Has anyone noticed that Kotchman's numbers are eerily similar to that of Albert Pujols (.333 BA, 6 HR, 21 RBIs)?  Sure, other 1B have put up nice power numbers, such as the Twins' Justin Morneau  (6 HR, 25 RBI), but he is also batting a sub-par .274 from the dish.  Kotchman receives this starting job, but it's only May.

2B: B.J. Upton, Rays

The "Bossman" joins his younger brother as a starter in the game.  Upton has been very impressive early, hitting .294, with three HR and 22 RBIs.  That's a very appealing stat line when comparing him with other AL 2B.  We'll see if the Red Sox Dustin Pedroia can't steal Upton's spotlight as it gets closer to the All-Star break.

SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees

Although he will win the fan vote regardless, so far this season he has earned it on the field too.  Although he has gone without a home run, 16 RBIs are impressive, and so is his .310 BA.   The Yankees captain has had a nice season to-date.

3B: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox

With A-Rod injured, Youkilis looks to scratch his way into the starting lineup.  He's has put up pretty solid numbers (.314 BA, 4 HR, 22 RBIs), not to mention his unbelievably consistent defense.

LF: Manny Ramirez, Red Sox

Manny is having himself a season, hitting .326 at the plate, with seven jacks, and 26 RBIs.  This offensive machine is always a little unsure of what he's doing in the outfield, but there's no denying his excellence on offense.

CF: Josh Hamilton, Rangers

Yeah, his team has been awful, but former Reds player Josh Hamilton has come back from drug issues to be a great addition to the Rangers.  With seven HR and 36 RBIs, in addition to hitting .300, Hamilton is more than contributing.  His MLB-leading RBI total is no fluke; this kid can crush the ball.

RF: Magglio Ordonez, Tigers

Hitting just short of .300, Mags has six HR and 23 RBIs, which is very good this year in comparison to other RFs.  In addition, Magglio doesn't see a whole lot of good pitches, so to be hitting almost .300 is pretty darn good right now.

DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox

I'm pretty sure he's going to win this every year.  If he's only hit .226 so far this year, it will be tough denying him of the spot when he hits .280 or so.  His seven HR, 27 RBIs are good totals so far for Big Papi, thus deserving the spot.

SP: Cliff Lee, Indians

Sorry Ervin Santana, Lee gets the start.  Lee is 5-0, with an incredible 0.96 ERA!  Not to mention that he has 32 Ks to two BBs.  A 16:1 K:BB ratio is just absurd.  That's pretty much all I have to say about Lee, his numbers speak for themselves.

CL: Santiago Casilla, A's

This could have gone to a number of people, but Casilla has been lights out so far this year.  After 17.1 IP, he has still yet to give up a run.  Tack on 21 Ks to three BBs, and he has pitched more than adequately for the A's.  Although Casilla does not come in normally in save situations, he could definitely fill the slot in an All-Star game. 

Snubs:

*LF Hideki Matsui: He has a .342 BA, and decent power numbers (four HR, 17 RBIs).  But Manny has simply been too good this year.

*CF Torii Hunter: Hunter has fit in very well in LA, hitting five HR and 20 RBIs, to compliment a .310 BA.

*1B Eric Hinske: Wow, has he had quite the revival. Seven HR and 16 RBIs  later, he's helping the Rays hang in the  AL East