Fantasy Baseball All-Stars: Hitters

It's time to announce my fantasy all-stars and we start with a look at the hitters.

C—Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
.381 BA, 15 HR, 49 RBI

Mauer has been one of the most valued commodities in all of baseball. His production gets a hike when you consider he is doing it as a catcher, one of fantasy’s scarcest positions.

Biggest Surprise: Kurt Suzuki (OAK); Biggest Bust: Geovany Soto – CHC;

1B—Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
.338 BA, 32 HR, 85 RBI, 72 R, 10 SB

Nobody is even close to Pujols this year as he is hands down fantasy baseball’s top producer. He has a legitimate shot to become baseball’s first Triple Crown winner since 1967.

Biggest Surprise: Todd Helton (COL); Biggest Bust: David Ortiz (BOS)

2B—Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
.310 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 61 R, 9 SB

Utley is healthy and producing as normal for the Phillies and fantasy owners alike. He gets the slight nod over Ian Kinsler, who also has been lights out.

Biggest Surprise: Ben Zobrist (TB); Biggest Bust: Placido Polanco (DET)

3B—Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
.286 BA, 17 HR, 66 RBI, 48 R

The hot corner offers up plenty of options, but Longoria has been as productive as any and still the most dangerous threat at the position.

Biggest Surprise: Russell Branyan (SEA); Biggest Bust: Garrett Atkins (COL)

SS—Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
.345 BA, 14 HR, 60 RBI, 51 R, 12 SB

Ramirez is one of the game’s top performers and a five-category producer for owners at a position that offers few options.

Biggest Surprise: Marco Scutaro (TOR); Biggest Bust: Jhonny Peralta (CLE)

OF—Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
.315 BA, 16 HR, 58 RBI, 61 R, 7 SB

OF—Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays
.310 BA, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 58 R, 44 SB

OF—Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
.361 BA, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 44 R, 19 SB

Picking three outfielders is a challenge, but I would put these three up against any other three that could be offered up. Braun offers the most balance of power and average. Crawford is producing in all categories, but has separated himself from the pack with his production on the base paths and Suzuki is as consistent as they come.

Biggest Surprise: Adam Lind (TOR); Biggest Bust: Manny Ramirez (LA)