2011 MLB All-Star Game: National League (Most Deserving) Roster

The roster I am proposing for this article is not a prediction of what I think the final roster will look like. History has shown that fan voting and other hidden agendas tend to slightly skew the final roster from what it truly should resemble.

Instead, this will focus on who truly deserves to go to the 2011 MLB All-Star game as of right now. Why right now? We are almost halfway to the halfway point of the season, that's why. All selection rules will apply (i.e. one player from every team, etc.).

First Base: Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 08: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds hits the ball against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 8, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Reds defeated the Cubs 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The reigning NL MVP is putting up monster numbers again this year.  His current stat line is .351 BA, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 30 R and 4 SB.

Second Base: Rickie Weeks Milwaukee Brewers

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 14: Rickie Weeks #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers at home plate during their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 14, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

This was a close call for the starter at 2B (you can see the backup later), but ultimately Weeks power gave him the starting nod.  His current stat line is .295 BA, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 23 R and 3 SB.

Shortstop: Starlin Castro Chicago Cubs

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 08: tarlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs fields the ball against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on May 8, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Reds defeated the Cubs 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The wunderkind continues to impress.  His current stat line for the season is .331 BA, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 23 R and 4 SB.

Third Base: Placido Polanco Philadelphia Phillies

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 27: Placido Polanco #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies scores a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on April 27, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks 8-4

Placido Polanco is lighting it up at the hot corner.  His current stat line is .354 BA, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 21 R and 3 SB.

Catcher: Brian McCann Atlanta Braves

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Catcher Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves drops the ball as Jamey Carroll #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides safely into home to tie the game in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2011 in Los Angeles, Cali

Brian McCann is putting up stellar numbers again this year.  His current stat line is .300 BA, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 9 R and 1 SB.

Left Field: Matt Holliday Saint Louis Cardinals

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Matt Holliday #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals hita a solo home run in the 2nd inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Matt Holliday is putting up MVP type numbers so far this year.  His current stat line is .398 BA, 5 HR, 28 RBI and 29 R.

Center Fielder: Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - MAY 09: Matt Kempt #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a catch in the outfield during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 9, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Matt Kemp is putting up big numbers amid the whole McCourt ordeal.  His current stat line is .345 BA, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R and 12 SB.

Right Field: Lance Berkman Saint Louis Cardinals

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - APRIL 27: Right fielder Lance Berkman #12 of the St. Louis Cardinals can't make the catch on a fly ball by Angel Sanchez #36 of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 27, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Big Puma seems rejuvenated this year.  His current stat line is .351 BA, 10 HR, 33 RBI and 27 R.

Designated Hitter: Andre Ethier Los Angeles Dodgers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - MAY 13: Andre Ethier #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI infield single in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 13, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Who better to serve as the NL DH than the man who owned a 30-game hitting streak?  His current stat line is a robust .362 BA, 4 HR, 21 RBI and 19 R.

Starting Pitcher: Josh Johnson Florida Marlins

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - MAY 10: Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins pitches during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Sun Life Stadium on May 10, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Is it just me or does this guy have a no-hitter going into the fifth inning just about every other start?  His stats are a deceiving 3-1 with a 1.63 ERA.

Backup Infielders

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - MAY 14: Shortstop Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets smiles at his bench after he intentionally dropped a soft line drive trying to double off Brett Wallace #2 of the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park on May 14, 2011 in H

1B Gaby Sanchez Florida Marlins

1B Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies

2B Brandon Phillips Cincinnati Reds

2B Neil Walker Pittsburgh Pirates

SS Jose Reyes New York Mets

3B Chipper Jones Atlanta Braves

Backup Outfielders

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks to the dugout after striking out during their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 13, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

LF Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers

CF Colby Rasmus Saint Louis Cardinals

RF Hunter Pence Houston Astros

RF Carlos Beltran New York Mets

Backup Catcher and Designated Hitter

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - APRIL 30: Prince Fielder #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers and catcher J.R. Towels #46 of the Houston Astros watch the ball leave the park in the ninth inning as he hits a home run to right field to tie the game against the Houston Astros at Minute

C Miguel Montero Arizona Diamondbacks

DH Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers

Remaining Starting Pitchers

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - MAY 10: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a game against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium on May 10, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Roy Halladay Philadelphia Phillies

Jaime Garcia Saint Louis Cardinals

Kyle Lohse Saint Louis Cardinals

Tim Lincecum San Francisco Giants

Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers

Shaun Marcum Milwaukee Brewers

Relief Pitchers

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MAY 12: Pitcher Francisco Rodriguez #75 of the New York Mets works against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Coors Field on May 12, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Mets defeated the Rockies 9-5. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Francisco Rodriguez New York Mets

Leo Nunez Florida Marlins

Huston Street Colorado Rockies

Joel Hanrahan Pittsburgh Pirates

Heath Bell San Diego Padres

Drew Storen Washington Nationals

Summary

The Cardinals lead the way with five selections: two starters (Holliday and Berkman) as well as their other outfielder and two starting pitchers.  Amazing they lead the way and Pujols and Carpenter didn't make the cut.

The Brewers are next with four selections.

The Phillies, Marlins, Mets and Dodgers all have three selections.

The Reds, Braves and Pirates all have two selections.

Every other team has a lone representative.

Let me know what you think in the comments section.

You can see the American League selections here; http://bleacherreport.com/articles/700475-2011-mlb-all-star-game-american-league-most-deserving-roster.