MLB All-Star Game: 5 Surprising Players Sure to Be All-Stars

The Major League Baseball All-Star game takes place on July 14, and some players are already making a strong argument for their inclusion on the team.

The likes of Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera and other routine selections will most likely find themselves involved in the all-star festivities again this year. The variation comes from the players who make their surprise appearances in the midseason accolades.

These curveballs could be rising stars who put it together in the first half of the season or veterans returning to prominence after a poor season or two.

Let's take a look at five players, who are not household names, who may find themselves representing their respective leagues at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park this July.

Dee Gordon

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Dee Gordon's speed allows him to get on base in a multitude of ways.

Dee Gordon is not a new name to baseball fans, but the second baseman has exceeded expectations so far this season.

Gordon earned his first selection to an All-Star game last season, but the Los Angeles Dodgers decided to trade him in the offseason. The Miami Marlins acquired the second baseman from Los Angeles in a multiplayer deal.

So far this season, the Marlins have reaped the benefits of the trade. Gordon currently leads the league with a .386 batting average. The speed demon also is fourth among all players in steals with 12 and third at 2.6 WAR.

The second baseman is a deadly weapon for the Marlins at the top of the lineup for the Marlins, leaving many questioning the Dodgers' incentive to make the trade.

Brandon Crawford

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CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 17: Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 17, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Buster Posey and the pitching staff take a lot of the acclaim for the San Francisco Giants, but Brandon Crawford also deserves some attention for his play this season.

The 28-year-old shortstop currently ranks second at his position in the National League, behind Freddy Galvis, with a .303 batting average. Crawford leads all National League shortstops in both on-base percentage (.391) and WAR (2.2).

Adding six home runs and 27 RBI, Crawford will likely earn the chance to represent his position at Great American Ball Park in July.

Joc Pederson

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Joc Pederson shows superstar power in his left-handed bat.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are taking the good with the bad when it comes to their prospect Joc Pederson. Early on, the strong center fielder showed the deep power all fans love to see.

Pederson ranks fifth in home runs among outfielders in the National League with 10 dingers through his 128 at-bats. The downside in the 23-year-old's game is his .234 batting average.

However, Pederson's power clearly puts fear into pitchers, as he already earned 30 walks this season, second to only Bryce Harper among all outfielders.

Moving forward, the Dodgers will hope for more consistency from Pederson, as he struck out 47 times already. As more pitchers try to test him, expect Pederson to belt a bunch more over the outfield wall.

Pederson is a sleeper candidate for the All-Star team at this moment and a strong prospect for the home run derby.

Jose Iglesias

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Jose Iglesias showed his potential when not plagued with injuries in his performance so far this season.

Jose Iglesias possesses the talent to be an elite shortstop, but he was an uncertain commodity returning from injury this season. Iglesias missed all of the 2014 season due to stress fractures in both legs.

The 25-year-old shortstop came out of the gates quick this season and showed why he was once a coveted prospect for the Boston Red Sox before joining the Detroit Tigers. Iglesias leads all shortstops with at least 100 at-bats in MLB in batting average, hitting .325 at the plate. 

On top of the batting statistics, Iglesias also contributes more than his part on the defensive end. If the Cuban infielder stay healthy, expect him to represent the American League in July.

Kris Bryant

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 20: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs hits an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on April 20, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Arguably the most anticipated rookie of the season was Kris Bryant. The star prospect made his long-awaited debut on April 17 and featured regularly for the Chicago Cubs since breaking into the big leagues.

The third baseman jumped out to a hot start with a .342 batting average, but then hit a cold spell in the beginning of May by going without a hit in 10 straight games. Bryant steadied the ship and currently bats with a .289 average, contributing five home runs and 27 RBI.

The 23-year-old shows discipline at the plate, ranking first among third baseman in the National League with 24 walks and a .411 OBP.

The Cubs' prospect played about 30 games less than Todd Frazier and other third basemen, so Bryant's power statistics should catch up to some players as the summer months approach.