Predicting 5 MLB All-Star Starters the Fan Vote Will Get Wrong

MLB All-Star voting wraps up on Thursday night, but the most recent voting updates have painted a good picture of who will be starting this year's Midsummer Classic.

As with any season, there are a handful of players set to start who are less deserving than some of their fellow league counterparts.

Here is a look at the five projected starters that I feel the fans are going to get wrong and who should start in their place.

AL Catcher: Mike Napoli over A.J. Pierzynski

Projected Starter: C Mike Napoli, Rangers

3,008,228 votes (first in AL voting)

.242/.347/.460, 12 HR, 30 RBI, 34 R

Projected Snub: C A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox

1,416,594 votes (fourth in AL voting)

.284/.335/.493, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 33 R

While Napoli has displayed terrific power this season as he did last year, he has been incredibly streaky with six home runs and 11 RBI coming over a five-game span back in April.

There are a number of catchers who could be considered more worthy, as Joe Mauer (.322 BA) is playing well again and Matt Wieters (10 HR, 34 RBI) has been a key cog in the Orioles resurgence. 

However, my vote goes to the 35-year-old Pierzynski who is in the midst of the best season of his career and has been a big reason why the White Sox have enjoyed a surprising start to the season.

AL Outfield: Curtis Granderson over Adam Jones

Projected Starter: CF Curtis Granderson, Yankees

3,812,339 votes (second in AL voting)

.243/.343/.500, 21 HR, 43 RBI, 51 R

Projected Snub: CF Adam Jones, Orioles

2,633,259 votes (fifth in AL voting)

.298/.344/.555, 19 HR, 40 RBI, 49 R

Not to knock Granderson, who is once again having a terrific season and displaying some of the best power in baseball, but Jones has earned the right to start for his breakout season.

He will undoubtedly make the roster either way, both guys will, but Jones has been a huge part of the reason why the Orioles have enjoyed a resurgent start.

NL Catcher: Buster Posey over Carlos Ruiz

Projected Starter: C Buster Posey, Giants

3,335,982 votes (first in NL voting)

.298/.361/.483, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 30 R

Projected Snub: C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies

2,448,942 votes (third in NL voting)

.361/.427/.579, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 35 R

Getting Posey back after he missed much of last season with an injury has been a huge boost for the Giants, and he has put up solid numbers in his return.

However, Ruiz has a batting average nearly 40 points higher than any other catcher and he in fact has the highest batting average in all of baseball right now.

Throw in the third-highest OBP in all of baseball and an OPS over 1.000 and it is a crime that Ruiz won't be starting the All-Star game.

NL Shortstop: Rafael Furcal over Starlin Castro/Jed Lowrie

Projected Starter: SS Rafael Furcal, Cardinals

2,323,486 votes (first in NL voting)

.287/.352/.386, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 51 R

Projected Snubs: SS Starlin Castro, Cubs/SS Jed Lowrie, Astros

Castro: 1,395,820 votes (third in NL voting)
Lowrie: Not in top five in voting at position

Castro: .301/.318/.438, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 35 R
Lowrie: .270/.359/.506, 14 HR, 33 RBI, 35 R

Furcal gave the Cardinals a boost last season when they acquired him at the deadline, and that was enough for the team to sign him to a two-year, $14 million contract.

He started the season off hot as he was hitting .369 on April 22, but he's batted just .263 since as his average has steadily fallen.

Meanwhile, Castro continues to rank among the best young hitters in the game and has also flashed good wheels this season with 16 steals.

Lowrie, on the other hand, has blossomed in an everyday role with the Astros, showing unexpected power. Both rank as better choices than Furcal to start the game. 

NL Outfield: Matt Kemp over Andrew McCutchen

Projected Starter: CF Matt Kemp, Dodgers

4,118,524 votes (first in NL voting)

.355/.444/.719, 12 HR, 28 RBI, 30 R

Projected Snub: CF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

1,685,543 votes (seventh in NL voting)

.341/.397/.579, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 40 R

There is no denying that what Matt Kemp did over the season's first month was phenomenal as he hit .417 BA, 12 HR, 25 RBI before May 1.

However, he hasn't played since since May 30 as he has been sidelined with a bad hamstring. Not only does he remain among the starters in voting, but is second behind only Joey Votto in the NL votes.

There are a number of more worthy starters, including Melky Cabrera (.352 BA), but what McCutchen has meant to a Pirates team in which he is the only starter hitting over .260 makes him the most deserving of the NL's third outfield spot.