2012 MLB Predictions: Picking the NL All-Star Starters

Technically, the MLB season has already begun, although it will really kick in tonight when the Cardinals and Marlins square off. Now that the season is upon us, it's time for all of us to start predicting who will be the All-Stars, the MVPs, the Cy Young winners, etc.

For now, I choose only to focus on the All-Star team. Admittedly, that's hard to predict because, in one of baseball's dumber moves, fans vote on the starters. Generally, this results in at least three All-Star starters that don't deserve to be there. 

That aside, I'll be looking at the guys who SHOULD start come mid-July. Who will our National League All-Stars be?

1B: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Now that Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols will not be hogging the spotlight at first base, there's one dominant man left that stands above the rest of the National League: Joey Votto.

Votto, who will be entering 2012 with a new 10-year deal that carries him through 2023 in Cincinnati, has been to back-to-back All-Star games and was the 2010 NL MVP. I don't think anyone is going to doubt his ability to play the game.

Votto hit .309 last season, knocking 29 home runs and 103 RBI. The astounding part of those stats? 2011 was considered a down year for Votto... WHAT???

His 2010 MVP season saw him hit a sizzling .324 with 37 home runs and 113 RBI—his OPS was 1.024.

Fielding-wise, Votto has been getting better and better, posting a .996 fielding percentage in each of his last couple seasons. He's poised for another MVP season.

2B: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds

Yep, another Red is going to show up on this list—hey, no one had a problem with Jeter and Rodriguez for years.

Anyway, Votto and teammate Brandon Phillips are going to be arguably the best players at their positions in the National League. Phillips is coming off one of his better seasons, hitting .300 and belting 18 home runs.

While he's great at swinging the lumber, his glove is a thing of beauty.

The Gold Glove second baseman has been making brilliant plays in the field since day one, posting an impressive .992 fielding percentage in 2011. 

Like last season, I expect Rickie Weeks to be the big competition for Phillips. Regardless of who won the race to the All-Star game last season, though, Phillips is the better of the two.

With Phillips' contract ending in Cincinnati, I expect an MVP-caliber season from him so he can get paid in 2013.

SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Coming off his best season yet, Troy Tulowitzki is an early favorite to win the NL MVP award. He definitely competed for the title last season, hitting .302 with 30 homers and 105 RBI.

There's going to be stiff competition for Tulowitzki at the shortstop position, but I'm not sure Jose Reyes can repeat what he did in 2011. As for Tulo, he's loaded with power and has an absolute cannon for an arm.

He was trained well at Long Beach State and has all the tools to be one of the best in the game. He'll get to his third All-Star game, but will start this one.

3B: Hanley Ramirez, Miami Marlins

Hanley Ramirez had a season to forget in 2011, posting a pitiful .243 batting average, by far the worst of his career. Now, at a new position and in new colors, I expect a big turnaround.

Ramirez's career-best season saw him post a ridiculous .342 batting average—somehow, I don't find that to be a fluke. He's been one of the Marlins' most decorated players in their short history, having several All-Star appearances, being a multiple-time MVP for the Marlins, a two-time Silver Slugger and the 2006 Rookie of the Year.

Though he appeared disgruntled at first, I don't see the Jose Reyes addition affecting Ramirez to the point of mediocrity. Watch for him to get back to his old ways in 2012.

LF: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

Given recent events, this is going to be the roughest season Ryan Braun may ever have—certainly to date. He'll be booed out of every stadium he steps into.

Still, Braun is the reigning MVP and I'm not going to waste a bunch of time explaining why he'll be an All-Star—he has been since he stepped into the majors.

While it won't be another MVP season for Braun, he'll continue to be on everyone's radar.

CF: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

After a less-than-impressive 2010 campaign, Matt Kemp burst onto the scene with a vengeance last season, posting a .324 batting average with 39 home runs and 126 RBI.

That guy didn't win the MVP—crazy, isn't it?

While he doesn't have the greatest glove in the world, he's an effective all-around player. In terms of center fielders, Kemp doesn't have any competition. Yes, Carlos Gonzalez is a good player, but Kemp is on another level entirely.

With a gorgeous swing and a lot of power, Kemp is dangerous to everyone.

RF: Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

Justin Upton has one of the brightest futures as a big-league athlete. He's fresh off an All-Star season, one in which he hit 30 home runs.

It's worth noting that Upton is a dual-threat player; he's got some power and he can also steal a few bases—he had 21 in 2011. Upton was perhaps the biggest part of Arizona's improbable NL West title run last season, as he is one of the best all-around athletes in the game.

His glove comes with a few questions, but all things considered, Upton is poised to get to the next level.

C: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

After an incredible rookie season in 2010, Buster Posey's 2011 projections were through the roof. Then, he broke his ankle early in the season and it was over just as quickly as it started.

He'll be back with a vengeance in 2012. He's going to be the key to the Giants getting back to the postseason, as his offense was sorely missed in the Bay Area last season. Posey has a quick bat and is a tremendous contact hitter.

There's some power to his swing, but nothing out of this world. He'll rack up 20 to 25 long balls this year, but Posey is more of a threat to smack a fastball into the gap.

Fresh off the disabled list, watch for Posey to outdo his rookie season.

SP: Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

Yes, I'm going to go with the man who is often considered the Phillies' third-best starter to start the All-Star game. Coming up through the minor leagues, Hamels was slated to be the next big ace in Philly.

Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee altered that, but now, Hamels is due for his best season yet.

The master of the cutter had a so-so 14-9 season, but that wasn't the impressive part of his 2011 campaign. Hamels found himself to be a hard-luck loser a lot, as he posted a good sub-1.00 WHIP and had a 2.79 ERA. He certainly deserved to win at least three or four more games than he got credit for.

Hamels is entering his prime now, and despite the loaded National League pitching talent, it's going to be his time to shine at the break. He was outstanding during the Phillies' World Series run in 2008, but has been overlooked ever since.

This year, Hamels takes his rightful place at the top.