Every MLB Team's Player on the Verge of Becoming an All-Star

Every MLB team has a player who is on the verge of coming into his own and becoming a perennial All-Star.

They are the talk of the town since everybody loves thinking about the future of their beloved team.

Some teams have more clear-cut candidates like the Miami Marlins. Some already consider Mike Stanton to be a superstar in this league, but everyone will agree that he is at least a star in the making.

Other teams, however, like the Houston Astros are a little short of talented young stars and might have to wait a year or two until a player comes into his own and makes the All-Star team for the first time.

Here's a list of every team's player who is on the verge of becoming an All-Star.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Ian Kennedy

Can you believe that Ian Kennedy wasn't named an All-Star in 2011?

He had a 9-4 record with a 3.44 earned run average at the halfway point of the season, and ended up being one of three pitchers to win over 20 games. Justin Verlander (24) and Clayton Kershaw (21) were the others.

To be fair, Kennedy did go on an absolute tear during the second half and lowered his already impressive earned run average from 3.44 to 2.88 at the end of the season.

If there is one thing I'm willing to bet the house on, it's that Kennedy will not only be an All-Star in 2012, but for many years beyond that.

He is just that good.

Atlanta Braves: Tommy Hanson

Just like Kennedy, Tommy Hanson was also snubbed from the 2011 All-Star team. Some actually considered him to be the most deserving player left off the final roster.

He had a 10-4 record at the midpoint of the season with a solid 2.52 earned run average.

But despite his impressive start in 2011, he was forced to watch the last month and a half of the season from the bench due to an injury.

Whether he's in a Braves uniform in 2011, or possibly even a Baltimore Orioles jersey, as the Orioles are rumored by Sports Illustrated to be interested in him, expect to see Hanson on the All-Star team in the near future. 

Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz

Speaking of the Orioles, Brian Matusz is another name that you might need to become familiar with in the coming years.

And no, it will not be because of his 10.96 earned run average and 1-9 overall record that he finished the 2011 season with. Matusz had an injury-plagued season last year and is simply a better pitcher than that.

The former fourth-overall pick in 2008 has the potential to become the ace of the Orioles rotation. He doesn't have the stuff that will blow you away—fastball tops out in the high 80s to low 90s—but has the ability to throw all four of his pitches in any pitch count—fastball, curve ball, slider and change up.

As soon as Matusz finds a way to put it all together, as well as stay healthy, he'll be representing the Orioles in the All-Star game.

Boston Red Sox: Daniel Bard

Picking the next All-Star on the Boston Red Sox was difficult task. It's not because of the lack of talent on the roster, but rather the abundance of it. It was hard to find a player on their roster who hasn't been an All-Star since everyone on their freakin' team has already been one!

Daniel Bard is a name that comes to mind since he has some of the filthiest stuff in baseball. His fastball travels roughly around 98 miles per hour and his devastating slider whips across the plate around 84 miles per hour.

The Red Sox trading for closing pitcher Andrew Bailey certainly hurt his chances of becoming an All-Star, however, since he was lined up to become the closer if the team didn't look for outside help.

But we have seen setup men make it recently. Aaron Crow, David Robertson, Tyler Clippard and Johnny Venters were all All-Stars last year despite being eighth-inning guys.

Chicago Cubs: Darwin Barney

This one might be a little more far-fetched, but I really like what I saw from Darwin Barney his rookie year in 2011.

Think Dustin Pedroia without the pop since Barney only managed to lift two balls over the fence last year. But Pedroia hit only eight jacks his rookie year, so there's still a chance that Barney can develop some power.

Even so, power is not Barney's game, and it doesn't need to be in order for him to become an All-Star.

The native Portlander finished sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last year due to his respectable .276 batting average. He also finished with the third-best ultimate zone rating out of all the second basemen in the NL.

It's a stretch, but I do expect to see Barney on the All-Star team at some point in his career.

Chicago White Sox: John Danks

The White Sox are in the beginning stages of the rebuilding process, so there is currently a lack of talent on their roster. It will be at least a couple of years before we start seeing some young talent emerge from the minors.

But the moment, John Danks is the ace of the staff after he signed a five-year, $65 million extension this offseason.

Danks has proven that he can be a consistent starter who can eat up innings much like his ex-teammate Mark Buehrle. But with Buehrle now gone, Danks will be the focal point on the White Sox roster and will have a legitimate shot at becoming an All-Star in the near future.

Cincinnati Reds: Drew Stubbs

Drew Stubbs is simply one of the most exciting players in baseball at the moment. He has the rare combination of blistering speed and a violent, powerful swing. He truly has the makeup of a potential five-tool player.

He will need to work on lowering his strikeout totals, however, since he struck out more than 200 times in 2011. Even if you can steal more than 40 bases and hit more than 20 home runs, whiffing that many times is simply unacceptable.

But Stubbs is arguably the fastest player in baseball. Once he figures out his swing and learns to put the ball play more often to utilize his speed, watch out.

Cleveland Indians: Justin Masterson

Justin Masterson was the main piece of the Victor Martinez trade to the Red Sox a few years ago. He was a top prospect in the Red Sox's organization and always had the physical and mental tools to become a legitimate ace of a staff.

He had his breakout year in 2011 after finishing 12-10 with a 3.21 earned run average. Those aren't godly numbers, but certainly not bad for a pitcher who is finally starting to reveal his true potential.

There are a lot of candidates on this roster to become the next All-Star like Shin-Soo Choo or Carlos Santana.

Masterson and his devastating sinker just have All-Star written all over them.

Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez

No, you don't need to check. I've already done the research and Carlos Gonzalez really hasn't been an All-Star yet in his career. 

I know you're thinking about 2010 as well when Gonzalez won the Silver Slugger award, a Gold Glove and finished third in the MVP voting. He hit an incredible .336 that year with 34 home runs and 117 runs batted in.

He was even hitting .317 with 17 home runs at the All-Star break that year, so why he didn't make the cut is beyond me. 

The 2011 season was the same story, even though his numbers were less impressive than they were the year prior.

I fully expect Gonzalez to rebound and have an excellent 2012 season, and he'll be rewarded with an trip to Kansas City for the All-Star game.

Detroit Tigers: Brennan Boesch

You might not be too familiar with the name if you don't really pay attention to the AL Central, but Brennan Boesch of the Detroit Tigers has everything you want in a ball player.

He can hit for average, he has some pop, has a good glove in left field and simply plays the game the right way. 

He probably won't become a perennial All-Star in the future, but I certainly can see him making the team one day.

Houston Astros: J.D. Martinez

Just because the Houston Astros blew up their entire roster doesn't mean there aren't any hidden gems still left on the team.

It's going to take a year or two, but people will be talking about J.D. Martinez—the outfielder for the Astros.

He is the Astros' sixth-overall prospect according to Baseball America and will be filling the shoes of Hunter Pence in the lineup, as well as in the outfield. He has an unorthodox swing, but his physical strength and solid plate discipline more than make up for it.

In just 53 games in 2011, Martinez batted .274 with six home runs and 35 runs batted in. Most impressively, he only struck out 48 times in 226 at bats.

It's a deadly combination when a power hitter is able to limit the strikeouts and put the ball in play, and that's exactly what Martinez can do.

Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer was my pick for AL Rookie of the Year in 2011, but the people who actually have a say in the matter voted him third.

Hosmer did a little of everything last season by batting .293 with 19 home runs and 78 runs batted in. And for a rookie to only strike out 82 times in 563 at-bats is nothing short of miraculous.

The thing about the Royals, however, is that there are a multitude of players who could be the team's next All-Star. Designated hitting extraordinaire Billy Butler has yet to make an All-Star appearance, and neither has Alex Gordon.

There is a lot of young talent on this Royals roster. It is entirely possible that they'll be returning to relevancy in the near future, and it will be thanks to the young core of offensive players.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Mark Trumbo

You really can't say enough about the type of rookie year Mark Trumbo had in 2011.

He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting by smacking 29 home runs and driving in 89 runs. His batting average and on-base percentage left a little to be desired—.254 and .291, respectively—but there's only so much you can ask for from a 25-year-old rookie.

Even though Trumbo should be slated to be the next Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to make the All-Star team, Mike Trout will be following in his footsteps in no time. Trout was the second-overall prospect, according to Baseball America, and possesses every tool to be considered a potential five-tool player.

But let's stop looking too far ahead...

If Trumbo manages to build upon his success from 2011, which means increasing his batting average and minimizing the strikeouts, he could find himself in an All-Star uniform before we know it.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Dee Gordon

Does Jose Reyes have a mini-me that no one knew about?

Dee Gordon, the young and exciting shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has the makeup of a lighter-hitting Reyes, but with just as much speed.

In just 56 games with the Dodgers in 2011, Gordon hit .304 and swiped 24 bases.

During Reyes' first two seasons in the majors, he averaged only 16 stolen bases per season in roughly the same amount of games as Gordon. Reyes might have hit for a little more pop than Gordon when both emerged in the majors, but Gordon has a head start in the base running department.

With a lack of talent at the shortstop position in baseball—Troy Tulowitzki and Reyes are the only legitimate superstars at the position—don't be surprised to see in the All-Star discussion before too long.

Miami Marlins: Mike Stanton

If you want to get ahead of the game and start paying attention to who the next superstars will be in MLB, look no further.

Mike Stanton is legitimately the next big thing in baseball, and I can confidently say that even though he's only 23 years young. Heck, even ESPN is jumping on board to crown him the next superstar in baseball.

Raw power like Stanton's only comes around once a generation.

As Jorge Arangure Jr. from ESPN The Gag stated, "Just six other players in history have had as many jacks in a season at that age or younger. Five of them are Hall of Famers."

As a San Francisco Giants fan, I have never in my life seen anyone hit the massive glove in left-center field. The 501-foot sign that sits in front of it is still isn't even an accurate measurement.

However, during batting practice last year, Stanton hit a bomb that the glove would've caught if he didn't pull the ball so much.

That's just incredible.

Milwaukee Brewers: Jonathan Lucroy

Jonathan Lucroy making the All-Star team one day might be a stretch, but he did play extremely well during the beginning of last season.

He was batting .288 with seven home runs at the end of June, but then his productivity started to dwindle towards the end of the year.

There isn't a lot of young talent on the Brewers roster, and there isn't a lot coming up through the farm system either. Lucroy is 25 years old, however, and will have the best of making an All-Star appearance somewhere down the road.

How great of a possibility that is remains unclear.

Minnesota Twins: Ben Revere

Ben Revere might be able to make the All-Star team based on his swagger in center field alone.

The 23-year-old speedster made some of the most fantastic catches in center last season, and even made it look easy in the process.

Just take a look at the route he took to make a play on this ball.

All those who have played center field before truly know how difficult it is to catch a ball that is hit directly over your head. Depth perception weakens when the ball is hit right at you, as opposed to the ball coming at you from either your right or left. 

Revere could not have played this ball any more perfectly due to his first few steps to the right in order to get a better angle on the ball.

Revere will continue to make incredible catches like this and it will inevitably spark a movement to get this man on an All-Star team one day.

You heard it here first.

New York Mets: Ike Davis

We weren't able to see much of Ike Davis in 2011 after his impressive rookie campaign in 2010.

He injured his ankle early in the season and the subsequent microfracture surgery forced him to miss the final three and a half months of the season.

But when Davis has been healthy, he's proven that he's capable of becoming one of the better hitting first basemen in the league. He hit 17 home runs his rookie year, and followed up with seven in 2011 during the month and a half he played.

Plus with Albert Pujols leaving the NL, a first base spot on the All-Star roster just went up for grabs.

New York Yankees: Jesus Montero

Just like the Boston Red Sox, there aren't too many players on the New York Yankees roster who haven't made an All-Star appearance. Heck, the only player in their starting lineup who hasn't made an All-Star team is left fielder Brett Gardner.

But if he makes it one day with the numbers he's putting up, then there really is something wrong with the voting system, but I digress.

I might as well throw out Jesus Montero's name since the Yankee faithful are going to vote him in no matter what. He's being hyped up to be the biggest prospect coming out of the Yankees organization since as long as I can remember.

Whether he deserves it—and chances are he will—expect Montero to be an All-Star in 2012 or 2013 at the latest.

Oakland Athletics: Jemile Weeks

Don't confuse Jemile Weeks with his older brother Ricky Weeks from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Oakland Athletics Weeks is much smaller in stature and relies on his speed more than his power to be effective.

In 97 games with the A's in 2011, Weeks batted a hair over .300 with two big flies and 36 runs batted in.

Even though speed is his strength, his base running needs some work since he was caught stealing 11 times in 33 attempts. Being more selective and training his quick-twitch muscles are a couple of ways he can improve that aspect of his game.

If Weeks isn't an All-Star next year, it won't be too much longer until he finds a spot on the roster.

Philadelphia Phillies: Antonio Bastardo

It's a shame that the Philadelphia Phillies spent a fortune on Jonathan Papelbon to close out games. I thought Antonio Bastardo would've done a admirable job acting as the closer, and he certainly would've been the much cheaper option.

He was nearly perfect when closing out games in 2011—8-of-9—and struck out 70 batters in only 58 innings pitched. He also has a filthy slide piece and enough giddy-up on his fastball to consider him having closer's stuff.

If Papelbon happens to struggle or go down with an injury, Bastardo could temporarily step in and act as the closer. Either way, I think there's still a chance that he could sneak into the All-Star game as a setup man.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez

I am very hesitant to give the nod to Pedro Alvarez, but I honestly have no clue who else on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster is worthy of such a recognition.

The former second-overall pick in 2008 has yet to live up to all the hype due to an extremely disappointing 2011 season that even got him demoted to Triple-A for a few weeks.

The laziness and lack of work ethic scare me. But he does have youth and potential on his side, so Pirates fans shouldn't give up on him yet.

What other choice do they have?

San Diego Padres: Tim Stauffer

Tim Stauffer instantly entered the spotlight when the San Diego Padres traded Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds. He was bumped up in the rotation one spot, and that means he is now the ace of the staff.

He isn't going to blow you away with his stuff, but he has four quality pitches—fastball, cutter, curve ball and change up—that he can throw in any count.

Stauffer didn't come out of nowhere, either. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2003 draft, so the potential was always there. Injuries have always kept him from making a name for himself, and 2011 was the first full season in his career.

If he can remain healthy in 2012, and with a little help from pitching in Petco Park, don't be surprised to see him represent the Padres in the All-Star game.

San Francisco Giants: Madison Bumgarner

Just because the San Francisco Giants already have two aces anchoring their staff—Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain—doesn't mean Madison Bumgarner can't be considered to be just as good.

He reminds me a little of Randy Johnson without the freakish size—although he is 6'5"—without the tenacity and velocity. But his delivery is deceptive and his slider is almost as devastating. His calm demeanor on the mound is truly what separates himself from the rest of the twenty-somethings in baseball.

The big lefty hurler is only 22 years old, and he has already proven that he can be consistent and effective, even when on the big stage.

His eight-inning, three-hit shutout against the Texas Rangers in Game 4 of the 2010 World Series was one of the best individual performances I've ever seen. He didn't only carve through one of the best lineups in baseball at 21 years old, but he made it look easy.

I will buy the argument for Buster Posey since, if he's healthy, will be going to the All-Star game no matter what next year. But I fully expect Bumgarner to be joining him.

Seattle Mariners: Dustin Ackley

In just one half of a season, Dustin Ackley was able to prove to baseball that he was worthy of the second overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft.

In just 90 games with the Seattle Mariners last season Ackley batted .273 with six home runs, seven triples and 36 runs batted in. Not bad for a rookie batting in the worst lineup in baseball statistically.

This choice was a tossup between Ackley and Justin Smoak, but Ackley will have a better chance of making an All-Star team due to his position.

St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese

If we could've predicted the type of postseason that David Freese would have in 2011, we would've made him an All-Star last year.

Freese went unconscious during the St. Louis Cardinals' run to the World Series last year by batting .397 with five home runs and 21 runs batted in. His on-base-plus-slugging was an astonishing 1.258.

Most importantly, the majority of his hits came when the game was on the line. If I didn't know anything about baseball and I watched every Cardinals postseason game last year, I would've thought that Albert Pujols was the rookie instead of Freese, and that's with all due respect to Mr. Pujols.

If Freese doesn't make the 2012 All-Star team based on his performance this past postseason, it will truly be a crime.

Tampa Bay Rays: Jeremy Hellickson

It might sound crazy, but the Tampa Bay Rays are on the verge of rivaling the Giants for the best rotation in baseball. With David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and now Matt Moore, it would be hard to instantly disregard that debate.

While 2012 will be Moore's time to shine, 2011 belonged to Hellickson and he ran with it.

He took home the AL Rookie of the Year award for posting a 13-10 record with a 2.95 earned run average. He was given the nickname "Hellboy" due to his name, but I'm assuming that his freakish abilities on the mound have something to do with it.

Anyways, I like Hellickson's chances of making the All-Star team next year, as well as for many years to come.

Texas Rangers: Mike Napoli

In just his first year with the Texas Rangers, Mike Naploi found a way to put it all together and had himself a very successful 2011 campaign.

Despite limited playing time—113 games and 369 at-bats—Napoli managed to hit .320 with 30 home runs and 75 runs batted in. That speaks volumes to how good the Rangers lineup is if they can't find a way to get this guy more at-bats on a consistent basis.

What's even more impressive about Napoli's season was that his previous career-high in batting average was .273 in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

He's 30 years old, however, so it makes you wonder if 2011 was just a result of batting in the hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. In the end, that won't matter. If Napoli carries his success from 2011 over to 2012, he'll earn himself a spot on the All-Star roster.

Toronto Blue Jays: Sergio Santos

The Toronto Blue Jays found themselves a closer, and a pretty darn good one at that.

Sergio Santos didn't allow a run in the first 20 innings he pitched in 2011 and was a perfect 6-of-6 in his first six save opportunities when the role as appointed to him.

His productivity fluctuated throughout the rest of the season, but he still ended up with a 30 saves and a high strikeout total—92 in 63.1 innings pitched.

Now, he'll be pitching for the Blue Jays, who have an offense that should create more save opportunities than he got in Chicago.

I expect big things from Santos in 2012, and an All-Star appearance isn't out of the question if he does his job in the ninth inning on a consistent basis.

Washington Nationals: Jordan Zimmermann

You could go a lot of different directions when picking the next first-time All-Star for the Washington Nationals.

Michael Morse is a legitimate candidate if he's able to repeat his success from 2011, and closer Drew Storen could easily find his way onto the All-Star team in 2012.

But I like Jordan Zimmermann's chances most of all. He's going to emerge as one of the better pitchers in baseball next season that no one will talk about.

He only finished with an 8-11 record last year, but wins and losses don't even come close to telling the whole story. He finished with a 3.11 earned run average, a walks-and-hits-per-innings-pitched rate of 1.15 and a 124 to 31 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Those are all very good numbers that certainly do not warrant a losing record.

Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg are going to get all the attention in the Nationals rotation, and rightly so, but Zimmermann could easily end up having the best season out of the three.