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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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C Miguel Montero Arizona Diamondbacks

DH Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers

Remaining Starting Pitchers

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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

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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.