B/R's 2015 MLB All-Star Game Predictions 2 Months out

Balloting for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game is underway (vote early, vote often). And while the game itself is still two months off, it's not too soon to guess who will punch a ticket to the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati.

OK, fine, you could argue it is too soon. Injuries, slumps and hot streaks will inevitably hit between now and July. But where's the fun in that?

To be clear: We're basing these picks—which include 34 starters, reserves and pitchers for each league—not simply on who has the best numbers now, but who we think will ultimately get the nod.

Remember: Starting position players are selected by the fans. Reserves and pitchers, meanwhile, are picked by players and coaches voting and the managers of the American League and National League squads, plus a final fan vote.

That means, in some cases, we went with big names and perennial All-Stars over lesser-known players who've stuffed the stat sheet.

Don't worry, though: We'll also guess at a few of the inevitable snubs that color every All-Star debate.

American League Starters

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C Stephen Vogt, OAK (.337/.432/.663, 9 HR, 30 RBI)

1B Miguel Cabrera, DET (.333/.435/.600, 10 HR, 29 RBI)

2B Jose Altuve, HOU (.331/.386/.490, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 13 SB)

3B Josh Donaldson, TOR (.311/.380/.534, 8 HR, 25 RBI)

SS Jose Iglesias, DET (.350/.407/.356, 6 RBI, 5 SB)

LF Hanley Ramirez, BOS (.272/.321/.520, 10 HR, 22 RBI)

CF Adam Jones, BAL (.331/.378/.538, 6 HR, 23 RBI)

RF Mike Trout, LAA (.300/.399/.577, 10 HR, 21 RBI)

DH Nelson Cruz, SEA (.348/.399/.709, 15 HR, 30 RBI)

Stephen Vogt's current production is a mirage. He's a 30-year-old journeyman, after all, with nothing in his minor or major league past to suggest he can sustain this torrid start.

In fact, Vogt spelled out his own shortcomings to Sports Illustrated's Ben Reiter:

"

Look at me. I'm not chiseled. I'm a regular guy. I wasn't destined to do this. I didn't make it to the big leagues at 22—I made it at 27, and still didn't do well. I made my first Opening Day roster at 30, for crying out loud. If one kid is watching me and is like, "Man, I want to do what he's doing," I want to tell him, "You can."

"

Call us sentimental but we'll buy the buzz and hand Vogt at least a surprise All-Star start, if not sustained excellence.

Around the infield, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve are locks, while Josh Donaldson edges the Kansas City Royals' Mike Moustakas. 

Shortstop in the AL is a bit of a wasteland, with few can't-miss candidates. We'll give the edge, for now, to Jose Iglesias, who has augmented his superlative glove with unexpected offense.

Mike Trout, the reigning AL MVP, and Adam Jones, a four-time All-Star, anchor the outfield. Any number of players could join them, but we'll go with Hanley Ramirez.

The converted infielder banged out 10 home runs in April, but this month has missed time with a shoulder injury and collected just one extra-base hit.

On the other hand, Ramirez has gone 5-for-14 in his last three games, hinting at a return to his April output.

As for Nelson Cruz at DH, let's just say he's on pace to club 68 home runs and leave it at that.

American League Pitchers

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Starting Pitchers

Dallas Keuchel, HOU (57.2 IP, 1.87 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 42 SO)

Felix Hernandez, SEA (54.2 IP, 2.30 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 55 SO)

Sonny Gray OAK (56.0 IP, 1.61 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 53 SO)

David Price, DET (53.0 IP, 3.40 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 42 SO)

Michael Pineda, NYY (51.2 IP, 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 55 SO)

Scott Kazmir, OAK (45.1 IP, 2.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 43 SO)

Corey Kluber, CLE (52.2 IP, 4.27 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 64 SO)

Nick Martinez, TEX (43.0 IP, 1.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 19 SO)

Dallas Keuchel, Felix Hernandez, Sonny Gray and David Price are virtual shoo-ins based on a combination of current performance and past pedigree, and you could probably put Scott Kazmir in that category as well.

Michael Pineda got knocked around by the Kansas City Royals on Friday, but he has emerged as the New York Yankees' ace after his 16-strikeout performance May 10.

Speaking of which, Corey Kluber looked like his Cy Young Award-winning self while punching out an eye-popping 18 batters in his most recent start.

Nick Martinez has been surprisingly effective, despite a lack of strikeout stuff, and he might be the best bet for a Texas Rangers representative. (Remember: Every team must send at least one player.)

As for who'll start the game, we'll tap Keuchel as the early leader in the clubhouse, though King Felix is right there.

Relief Pitchers

Andrew Miller, NYY (17.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 29 SO, 13 SV)

Glen Perkins, MIN (17.1 IP, 1.56 ERA, 16 SO, 13 SV)

Joakim Soria, DET (1.06 ERA, 17.0 IP, 15 SO, 12 SV)

Huston Street, LAA (2.87 ERA, 15.2 IP, 18 SO, 12 SV)

Greg Holland, KC (0.90 ERA, 10.0 IP, 6 SO, 7 SV)

Closers, and relief pitchers in general, are mercurial creatures, and a couple of bad outings can turn pretty numbers ugly in a hurry.

Right now, though, Andrew Miller, Glen Perkins and Joakim Soria don't have a blown save between them. Huston Street still looks like one of the game's top door-slammers.

And Greg Holland hasn't missed a beat since returning from the disabled list, picking up three saves and allowing just one earned run in six innings.

American League Reserves

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Catchers

Russell Martin, TOR (.277/.371/.554, 7 HR, 21 RBI)

Salvador Perez, KC (.281/.290/.422, 4 HR, 19 RBI)

Russell Martin could easily get the start, especially if Vogt's numbers wane. Salvador Perez is also starter-caliber but will get in regardless with his manager, Ned Yost, managing the AL squad.

Infielders

1B Jose Abreu, CWS (.296/.367/.504, 6 HR, 21 RBI)

1B Eric Hosmer, KC (.324/.400/.559, 7 HR, 29 RBI)

2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS (.275/.360/.415, 5 HR, 15 RBI)

2B Ian Kinsler, DET (.311/.377/.405, 10 2B, 19 RBI)

SS Alcides Escobar, KC (.303/.344/.403, HR, 14 RBI)

3B Mike Moustakas, KC (.326/.382/.486, 4 HR, 13 RBI)

3B Evan Longoria, TB (.271/.364/.442, 4 HR, 14 RBI)

Jose Abreu hasn't matched the production from his breakout 2014 campaign, but the Cuban import is a legit MLB star. 

Eric Hosmer is having a great year and should edge out other worthy first-base candidates (see the snubs section), thanks to the Yost connection.

Second base is also stocked with talent, but we'll go with Pedroia and Kinsler based on track record and star wattage. The same goes for Evan Longoria at third, with Mike Moustakas looking close to automatic based on his current production.

As for shortstop, the pickings are slim, so let's go with Escobar to join the parade of Royals.

Outfielders

Michael Brantley, CLE (.348/.426/.563, 4 HR, 21 RBI)

Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY (.333/.415/.382, HR, 14 SB)

Lorenzo Cain, KC (.323/.374/.466, 3 HR, 19 RBI)

Maybe you're rolling your eyes at another Kansas City player making the cut. But Lorenzo Cain is more than deserving and, again, that's what you get for winning the pennant and putting your skipper at the helm.

Michael Brantley and Jacoby Ellsbury haven't flashed a lot of pop in the early going, but they've put up numbers in enough other areas to earn spots.

National League Starters

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C Buster Posey, SF (.292/.367/.446, 6 HR, 18 RBI)

1B Adrian Gonzalez, LAD (.356/.427/.689, 9 HR, 32 RBI)

2B Dee Gordon, MIA (.425/.449/.521, 10 2B, 14 RBI, 12 SB)

3B Matt Carpenter, STL (.323/.388/.623, 7 HR, 24 RBI)

SS Starlin Castro, CHI (.272/.303/.354, 3 HR, 22 RBI)

LF Bryce Harper, WAS (.326/.467/.690, 13 HR, 33 RBI)

CF Andrew McCutchen, PIT (.231/.327/.285, 4 HR, 22 RBI)

RF Giancarlo Stanton, MIA (.255/.335/.555, 11 HR, 36 RBI)

DH Paul Goldschmidt, ARI (.431/.441/.659, 10 HR, 32 RBI)

It's hard to believe Buster Posey was left off last year's All-Star team. After adding a third ring to his resume, expect the Giants' backstop to move into Derek Jeter territory and become a perennial pick.

The Senior Circuit is loaded with deserving first basemen. We'll pick Adrian Gonzalez—who is having a monster year in a huge market—to get the nod, with last year's starter, Paul Goldschmidt, slotting in at DH.

Dee Gordon is bound to come back to Earth at some point, but with his batting average still soaring above .400, the speedy second baseman figures to garner a lot of votes.

Third base could be a close race, but we'll give it to Matt Carpenter, who is having an excellent season and has the loyal Cardinals fanbase behind him.

Assuming he isn't traded out of the NL, the Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki figures to get some support on name recognition alone, despite a so-so, injury-marred season. But we'll bet on Starlin Castro, who was an All-Star last season as a reserve, winning the fan vote this time around.

In the outfield, Bryce Harper and Giancarlo Stanton slot in as two of the game's most exciting young mashers. Between them, pencil in Andrew McCutchen, a four-time All-Star and franchise player who struggled early but has raised his average more than 30 points since May 1.

National League Pitchers

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Starting Pitchers

Max Scherzer (56.2 IP, 1.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 66 SO)

Johnny Cueto, CIN (58.1 IP, 2.93 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 56 SO)

Zack Greinke, LAD (53.1 IP, 1.52 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 44 SO)

Clayton Kershaw, LAD (51.0 IP, 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 66 SO)

Madison Bumgarner, SF (50.2 IP, 3.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 46 SO)

Matt Harvey, NYM (46.2 IP, 2.31 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 47 SO)

Cole Hamels, PHI (51.0 IP, 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 55 SO)

Shelby Miller, ATL (45.0 IP, 1.60 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 39 SO)

Jake Arrieta, CHI (45.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.07 WHIP)

Mark Johnny Cueto down as the favorite to start in front of his home crowd, though Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke are making strong cases with superlative seasons.

Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner have both looked mortal, but their status as top-shelf NL studs is unassailable. 

Matt Harvey has put the Tommy John talk behind him and is throwing gas. Cole Hamels and Shelby Miller are deserving, and each could be his team's lone representative. Jake Arrieta, meanwhile, has so far out-pitched his rotation-mate, three-time All-Star Jon Lester.

Relief Pitchers

Jeurys Familia, NYM (17.1 IP, 1.56 ERA, 21 SO, 13 SV)

Trevor Rosenthal, STL (18.0 IP, 1.00 ERA, 23 SO, 12 SV)

Aroldis Chapman, CIN (16.1 IP, 1.10 ERA, 27 SO, 7 SV)

Francisco Rodriguez, MIL (13.0 IP, 1.38 ERA, 16 SO, 7 SV)

It's hard to argue with any of these shutdown closers. Jeurys Familia has been a revelation in New York. Trevor Rosenthal and Aroldis Chapman are slamming more doors than a petulant teenager.

And Francisco Rodriguez looks like the best bet to represent the woeful Milwaukee Brewers, provided he isn't dealt to a contender first.

National League Reserves

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Catchers

Yadier Molina, STL (.283/.331/.342, 7 2B, 15 RBI)

Derek Norris, SD (.298/.328/.489, 3 HR, 23 RBI)

Yadier Molina isn't having his typical sterling season, but he's got the respect of his peers and a streak of six consecutive All-Star appearances.

Derek Norris has been better-than-advertised behind the dish, as MLB.com's Corey Brock noted in April, and has been a key part of the San Diego Padres' offensive renaissance.

Infielders

1B Anthony Rizzo, CHI (.349/.469/.612, 8 HR, 23 RBI)

1B Joey Votto, CIN (.293/.394/.496, 7 HR, 21 RBI)

2B Howie Kendrick, LAD (.314/.373./.489, 4 HR, 17 RBI)

2B Kolten Wong, STL (.310/.359/.465, 4 HR, 17 RBI)

SS Brandon Crawford, SF (.277/.372/.504, 6 HR, 24 RBI)

3B Nolan Arenado, COL (289/.326/.554, 7 HR, 19 RBI)

3B Kris Bryant, CHI (.287/.425/.475, 4 HR, 24 RBI)

Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto round out a ridiculously rich collection of first basemen, and Howie Kendrick and Kolten Wong have the numbers to justify inclusion at second base.

Over at the hot corner, Nolan Arenado might be the Colorado Rockies' only representative if Tulowitzki misses the cut. After his slightly delayed call-up, rookie Kris Bryant has done everything needed to prove he belongs.

The surprise of the bunch is Brandon Crawford, a flashy defender who leads all NL shortstops with 24 RBI, and has his manager, Bruce Bochy, leading the team.

Outfielders

Matt Holliday, STL (.328/.449/.462, 3 HR, 21 RBI)

Joc Pederson, LAD (.241/.399/.554, 10 HR, 21 RBI)

Justin Upton, SD (.277/.342/.511, 8 HR, 25 RBI)

Matt Holliday, a six-time All-Star, is raking for the first-place St. Louis Cardinals. Justin Upton has the stats to nudge other worthy candidates, including his teammate, Matt Kemp.

Joc Pederson's batting average doesn't leap off the page, but his raw power sure does. The Los Angeles Dodgers rookie currently has more home runs than any NL outfielder not named Bryce Harper or Giancarlo Stanton.

Notable Snubs

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We're not going to cover every possible snub, because so much can and will change. But here are a few notable names who just missed the cut.

Prince Fielder, TEX (.340/.399/.497, 5 HR, 22 RBI)

Prince Fielder is having a nice comeback season and could slip in as the Rangers' representative. The question is, who does he bump at first base?

James Shields, SD (48.1 IP, 3.91 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 64 SO)

James Shields has been a strikeout machine since arriving in San Diego, but he could be hurt by the NL's deep pool of pitchers and the fact that the Padres have other worthy representatives.

Yoenis Cespedes, DET (.290/.307/.497, 5 HR, 23 RBI)

A two-time Home Run Derby champion, Yoenis Cespedes should get a chance to defend his title in Cincinnati, but he may not make the team in a crowded group of worthy outfielders.

A.J. Burnett, PIT (45.0 IP, 1.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 36 SO)

At age 38, A.J. Burnett has found the fountain of youth. If it lasts, he could earn the first All-Star nod of his 17-year career. 

All statistics current as of May 16 and courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.