2013 MLB All-Star Roster: Power Ranking Likeliest Heroes in Clash

The 2013 MLB All-Star Game is full of stars and notable names, but there are a heap of newcomers making their first appearance in the Midsummer Classic. Both types of players will pay a big impact on the game.

With some of the best athletes on the planet gathering at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York for the entertaining event, we're sure to see some top-flight action. It also doesn't hurt that the home-field advantage for the 2013 World Series is on the line.

Let's take a look at the power rankings for the players who are most likely to step up and win the game for their respective league.

MLB All-Star Game Starters

American League

Pos.	Name	Team
*C	Joe Mauer	Twins
*1B	Chris Davis	Orioles
*2B	Robinson Cano	Yankees
*SS	J.J. Hardy	Orioles
*3B	Miguel Cabrera	Tigers
*OF	Mike Trout	Angels
*OF	Adam Jones	Orioles
*OF	Jose Bautista	Blue Jays
*DH	David Ortiz	Red Sox
^P	Clay Buchholz	Red Sox
P	Brett Cecil	Blue Jays
P	Bartolo Colon	A's
^P	Jesse Crain	White Sox
P	Yu Darvish	Rangers
P	Felix Hernandez	Mariners
P	Hisashi Iwakuma	Mariners
P	Justin Masterson	Indians
P	Joe Nathan	Rangers
P	Glen Perkins	Twins
P	Mariano Rivera	Yankees
P	Chris Sale	White Sox
P	Max Scherzer	Tigers
P	Justin Verlander	Tigers
C	Jason Castro	Astros
C	Salvador Perez	Royals
1B	Prince Fielder	Tigers
2B	Jason Kipnis	Indians
2B	Dustin Pedroia	Red Sox
2B	Ben Zobrist	Rays
SS	Jhonny Peralta	Tigers
3B	Manny Machado	Orioles
OF	Nelson Cruz	Rangers
OF	Alex Gordon	Royals
OF	Torii Hunter	Tigers
DH	Edwin Encarnacion	Blue Jays

National League

Pos.	Name	Team
*C	Yadier Molina	Cardinals
*1B	Joey Votto	Reds
*2B	Brandon Phillips	Reds
*SS	Troy Tulowitzki	Rockies
*3B	David Wright	Mets
*OF	Carlos Beltran	Cardinals
*OF	Carlos Gonzalez	Rockies
*OF	Bryce Harper	Nationals
P	Madison Bumgarner	Giants
P	Aroldis Chapman	Reds
P	Patrick Corbin	D-Backs
P	Jose Fernandez	Marlins
P	Jason Grilli	Pirates
P	Matt Harvey	Mets
P	Clayton Kershaw	Dodgers
P	Craig Kimbrel	Braves
P	Cliff Lee	Phillies
P	Jeff Locke	Pirates
P	Adam Wainwright	Cardinals
P	Travis Wood	Cubs
P	Jordan Zimmermann	Nationals
C	Buster Posey	Giants
1B	Paul Goldschmidt	D-Backs
1B	Allen Craig	Cardinals
2B	Matt Carpenter	Cardinals
2B	Marco Scutaro	Giants
SS	Everth Cabrera	Padres
SS	Jean Segura	Brewers
3B	Pedro Alvarez	Pirates
OF	Domonic Brown	Phillies
OF	Michael Cuddyer	Rockies
OF	Carlos Gomez	Brewers
OF	Andrew McCutchen	Pirates

* = Starter

^ = Injured, will not play

Rosters courtesy of MLB.com

Most Likely Heroes

1. Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), American League

Who else?

Miguel Cabrera has staked his claim as the hottest player in the game right now. As if winning the Triple Crown in historic fashion last year wasn't enough, he's currently making quite the case for repeating and winning the elusive prize yet again.

He has a sizable lead in batting average, hitting a whopping .360. He also leads the AL in RBI with 88, and only Chris Davis stands between him and the home-run lead.

That alone is enough to prove why Cabrera is the safest bet to be a hero during this year's All-Star Game.

2. David Wright (Mets), National League

The 30-year-old Wright has put his Mets on his back, taking an otherwise incompetent team and keeping them relevant in the National League.

He'll also have the luxury of being the hometown hero, as Shea Stadium hosts this year's All-Star event. As the franchise player in New York and one whose loyalty has stood the test of time, he'll have heaps of support every time he goes up to bat.

To expect anything other than one big hit from David Wright in this epic moment would be foolish. 

3. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), National League

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has gotten off to a historical start to his career, and that has resulted in his third straight All-Star appearance as just a 25-year-old.

Kershaw leads the NL in ERA with a whopping 1.93 rating, and the 2011 Cy Young winner is threatening to do to the impossible feat of notching a sub-3.00 ERA for his career. Right now, he's 2.69 for his career and this year has only dropped that rating.

It's been years since we've seen a pitcher start his career as dominant as Kershaw, and you can expect that to carry into the All-Star Game. 

4. Justin Verlander (Tigers), American League

Let's face it. Every year heading into the All-Star Game, we hear all about the players who have performed the best that season and end up being overwhelmed by elite players who have been there before.

Teammate Max Scherzer is getting all of the talk, and rightly so due to his 13-0 record. But Verlander has been here before, many times, and that experience will put him over the top.

Not many pitchers can take over an All-Star Game, but don't expect Verlander to give up many (if any) runs against the NL hitters. 

5. Bryce Harper (Nationals), National League

Two years, two All-Star Game appearances for Bryce Harper. That fact cannot be ignored, and quite frankly, it speaks for itself. 

Harper has missed a good chunk of 2013 with injuries, but he homered in his first at-bat back from injury and has found his long-hitting touch. He's blasted 13 homers on the season in just 50 games played so far.

This is just the second of many, many All-Star appearances for Bryce Harper, and he'll emerge with a big performance in 2013.