Ladies and Gentlemen, Your 2012 NL All-Stars

With the lack of breaking news and new developments in the world of Major League Baseball, I decided to examine the best of the best, at least when it comes to prospects and young, developing studs, in the National League, and put together what I foresee to be the All-Stars to be representing the NL in 2012.

Now, this may seem a bit premature, but I love me some prospects and the fresh, new talent sprouting around the league.

Keep in mind, this is based PURELY on current trends and potential, and does not include any sort of development-hindering woes.

These will be both the best prospects and young guys that are beginning to, or already have, shown their faces in the Bigs.

For the (seemingly) unlikely candidates, I'll give a brief explanation.

So, without further adieu, you 2012 National League All-Stars.

C--Brian McCann

1B--Albert Pujols

2B--Chase Utley

3B--David Wright

SS--Hanley Ramirez

LF--Ryan Braun

CF--Cameron Maybin

RF--Jason Heyward

SP--Tim Lincecum

CL--Carlos Marmol

Now, some of these guys (Chase Utley and Albert Pujols) will be reaching the end of their ropes as far as production goes, but they still, at least in my opinion, will be producing then at a level slightly below what the are producing now.

McCann, Wright, Ramirez, and Braun are no-brainers now, and, foreseeable, will be in the future.  They are the best offensive players at their positions and should be able to continue their development into, dare i say, all-time greats.

The same goes for Tim Lincecum.

Here's where the wild-cards come in: Maybin, Heyward, and Marmol.

Each of these guys are LOADED with talent, and are, obviously, all young.

I'll start with Maybin, because I listed him first and I'll go from there.

Cameron Maybin

I have a, non-literal, love affair with this North Carolina native.  He has everything you want: speed, a good arm, and sufficient power.

Maybin is developing more and more and, despite his relatively-small market, should be hard to overlook when he begins to hit his stride as the center fielder for the Fish.

By the time 2012 rolls around, Maybin could be a (from here on out AVG/HR/RBI/SB) .289/25/89/45 type hitter (batting lead-off is what is killing his RBIs in my projection).

Jason Heyward

Heyward is, in some scout's books, the number two or three prospect in all of Major League Baseball.  He's a giant of a 19-year-old that could develop into a monster on the field.

His power, eye, and arm are all reasons for Braves fans (like myself) to be excited about the next few years.

I could see Jason, as a 22-year-old in 2012, as a .300/28/98/20 hitter once he begins hitting his early prime.

Carlos Marmol

Smell that smoke?

That's the heat from this kid's fastball.

He can bring the heat and has excellent off-speed stuff to complement the heater.

As a set-up man last year behind Kerry Wood, he was spectacular.  Add to this the extra intensity that comes along with the ninth, and you have yourself a very dangerous weapon coming out of the bullpen gates.

So, what do you think?

Am I crazy, rational, or a little of both?

Tell me what you think.

As always, thanks for the support and feedback.