2013 All-Star Roster: Predicting Players Who'll Make Biggest Impression on Fans

While technology has brought us all increased familiarity with athletes, baseball has remained somewhat localized. For instance, the casual fan in Philadelphia isn't likely to be all that familiar with the pitch arsenal of the Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma. 

This helps make the All-Star game such a fun event. It also provides an opportunity for players to make an impression on a national level.

Check out the rosters, and then I'll offer up the three players I expect to find a way to make an impression on a national level.  

MLB All-Star Game Rosters

American League

	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	Matt Moore	Rays
P	Felix Hernandez	Mariners
P	Hisashi Iwakuma	Mariners
P	Justin Masterson	Indians
P	Joe Nathan	Rangers
P	Steve Delabar	Blue Jays
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

	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	Diamondbacks
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	Diamondbacks
1B	Allen Craig	Cardinals
1B	Freddie Freeman	Braves
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.

Max Scherzer, P, Tigers

Max Scherzer has pitched so well this season that he is going to start leaving teammate Justin Verlander in his shadow. 

The 28-year-old has made huge strides in the last two seasons. His increased feel with his curveball and slider have left him nearly unhittable.

As you've probably noticed, he has an impressive 13-0 record, and that's come for good reason. Scherzer has a WHIP of 0.946 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio at 5-to-1. 

He will dominate the best hitters in the National League in the All-Star contest and show everyone why he is putting himself in a great position to win his first Cy Young. 

Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals

The Bryce Harper hype machine can get a little tiring, but it exists for good reason: the kid makes spectacular plays. 

Harper is still making strides as a player, and he is far from a finished product, but he has the knack for the spectacular. He also plays every play like it is his last. 

I'm convinced that he will have at least one play, either in the field or at the plate, that leaves fans with their jaws hanging. 

Mariano Rivera, P, Yankees

Mariano Rivera isn't going to be able to offer up anything fans haven't seen him do countless times in the past. He'll throw his unhittable cutter, quickly get outs and head back to the bullpen. 

However, the atmosphere around the 13-time All Star will be different. The MLB's all-time saves leader is hanging up the cutter at the end of this season. 

This game will turn into a celebration of his career. It doesn't hurt that it will be played in New York. Sure, it is in the rival's stadium, but it's still New York, and it's still Mariano Rivera. 

The enormity of his amazing career will be on display, and as fans begin the process of viewing him as a former player, his appearance in this game will be the lasting image.