2011 MLB Pre-Season All-Star Team: American League

With Opening Day only a few hours away, the crack of the bat is soon to be heard. The eyes of the sports world will shift from the dreariness of winter sports, to the excitement of baseball and the thrill of the approaching summer months. 

Last season was a memorable one for Major League Baseball. There were numerous perfect games (and near perfect games), including a perfect gem in the playoffs by Roy Halladay; Ken Griffey Jr's retirement; the surge and disappointment of Stephen Strasburg; and the resurgence of the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants.

This season will be no different. There will be thrills and disappointment. But first, here are some players who will make the most impact in their respective leagues. These are the pre-season all-star teams.

Starting Pitcher: Felix Hernandez

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PEORIA, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: (EDITORS NOTE : THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN DIGITALLY DESATURATED.) Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 20, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Although he has a fastball that has been clocked over 100 miles per hour, Felix Hernandez does not just rely on his fastball. He has a plethora of pitches which he uses to continually confuse and confound batters.

The defending Cy Young award winner will seek to replicate his magical season of 2010, in which he led the American League with 232 strikeouts. If Hernandez has a good offense behind him, he will win 20 games. The only question is, can the Mariners give him run support?

Catcher: Joe Mauer

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FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins poses for a photo during photo day at Hammond Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Not only is Joe Mauer one of the best offensive players in baseball, he is also one of the best defensive players as well. The 27-year-old catcher finished last season with a .327 batting average. He also hit 43 doubles, second all time for a catcher.

Look for Mauer to lead Minnesota to another American League Central title.

First Baseman: Miguel Cabrera

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LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 02: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers during the game against the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 2, 2011 in Lakeland, Florida. The Astros defeated the Tigers 6-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Despite his run-ins with the law, Miguel Cabrera is a five time All-Star. Cabrera ended his 2010 season with a .328 batting average, a career high 38 home runs, and 126 RBIs. He is my prediction to win the 2011 American League Most Valuable Player.

The only questions is, can he clean up his personal life?

Second Baseman: Robinson Cano

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait on Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Robinson Cano proved last year that he is the new face of the New York Yankees. He is the winner of the 2010 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award for second base. Cano leads a Yankee lineup that includes some of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.

Third Baseman: Evan Longoria

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FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 22: : : Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a portrait during the Tampa Bay Rays Photo Day on February 22, 2011 at the Charlotte Sports Complex in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays may be in a transition period, but Evan Longoria is not. His game has been consistent ever since he stepped into the Majors in 2007. Longoria was the recipient of the Gold Glove Award last year. He will be a superstar for years to come.

Shortstop: Alexei Ramirez

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 26: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox poses for a photo on photo day at Camelback Ranch on February 26, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The name of Alexei Ramirez is not a common name among most baseball fans. That will change this season. Ramirez broke into the Majors in 2008 and has quickly become one of the hottest players in baseball. He was the winner of the Silver Slugger Award last season.

Right Field: Shin-Soo Choo

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GOODYEAR, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Cleveland Indians poses during their photo day at the Cleveland Indians Spring Training Complex on February 22, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

The Korean born Shin-Soo Choo is coming off his best season in the Majors, having batted .300 with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs, while stealing 22 bases. It was his second straight season in the 20-20 club. Despite their horrific record the past several seasons, Cleveland is on the rise, and Choo is the man that will lead them.

Centerfield: Josh Hamilton

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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 25: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during Spring Training Media Day on February 25, 2011 at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Josh Hamilton, the defending American League Most Valuable Player, is seeking to lead Texas back to the World Series. Hamilton is coming off a season in which he batted .359 with 32 home runs and 100 RBIs.

He recently signed a two-year, $24 million deal that should give him an incentive to have another "Mantlesque" season.

Leftfield: Carl Crawford

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FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 20: : : Carl Crawford #13 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait during the Boston Red Sox Photo Day on February 20, 2011 at the Boston Red Sox Player Development Complex in Ft. Myers, Florida (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After signing a seven-year, $142 million contract with Boston, Carl Crawford became one of the biggest free agent surprises this past winter. However, Crawford will not surprise anyone with his play this season.

He has been consistently one of the best outfielders in the Major Leagues for the past several seasons. He has over 409 stolen bases in his eight-year career. He also has over 100 triples. He is a four-time All-Star and Gold Glove award winner.

Designated Hitter: Victor Martinez

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LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Victor Martinez #41 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a portrait during Photo Day on February 21, 2011 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Despite being hampered by injuries last season, the 32-year-old Venezuelan batted .302 with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs. Victor Martinez signed with Detroit during the offseason, where he looks to become a key figure in the Tigers' lineup.

Closing Pitcher: Neftali Feliz

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SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 25: Neftali Feliz #30 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during Spring Training Media Day on February 25, 2011 at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Neftali Feliz, last year's American League Rookie of the Year, seeks to pitch his team back to the World Series. After questioning in the offseason whether or not to make Feliz an ace, the Rangers opted to keep Feliz as their closer–a wise decision.