St. Louis Cardinals: 5 Redbirds Who Deserve All-Star Berths

The St. Louis Cardinals are off to a hot start this season (14-8) in large part because of several players who have stepped up their games after Albert Pujols left in free agency.

I know the game is still a couple months away, but All-Star voting is now open for fans.

As the NL Central leaders and current World Champions, the Cardinals deserve to have several players in the All-Star Game.

Let’s take a look at five players who deserve All-Star berths if they keep up their hot starts.

5. Lance Lynn, SP

When Chris Carpenter was injured in spring training, Lynn got his shot in the starting rotation.

He certainly hasn’t disappointed, winning all four of his starts and compiling a team-leading 24 strikeouts in the process.

He has a very respectable 1.33 ERA and has allowed only four runs total.

He deserves to be selected by the players for a spot on the NL All-Star team, despite not being a household name.

4. Kyle Lohse, SP

Lohse is another Cardinal starter who hasn’t lost a game he’s pitched.

He’s 4-0 through five starts with a 1.62 ERA. He’s only allowed six runs this season and has held opponents to a .190 batting average.

His strong pitching has been key for the Cardinals, especially while Adam Wainwright continues to struggle while working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

3. Yadier Molina, C

Molina is playing his usual strong defense and has been doing a bulk of the catching for one of the most successful pitching staffs in baseball so far.

This year, he’s making strides at the plate, hitting .316 with four home runs and 15 RBI.

He’s settled into the No. 6 spot in the batting order nicely and has become a run producer.

If he can keep up his production at the plate, the Cardinals won’t miss Pujols as much.

2. Carlos Beltran, OF

Beltran has filled in nicely for the Cardinals.

He was the team’s big-name signing this offseason and has shown some flashes of his old brilliance at the plate. He’s hitting .256 with five homers and 11 RBI.

If Matt Holliday wasn’t struggling so much, Beltran would have more RBI opportunities. Holliday won’t struggle all year though, so the chances to drive in runs will increase.

1. David Freese, 3B

Freese has picked up right where he left off from last year’s playoffs.

He’s hitting .333 with five home runs and a team-leading 20 RBI so far this season.

He’s been a team leader at the plate and has made improvements on the field.

If he can stay healthy, he’s definitely worthy of the All-Star team.