2015 MLB All-Star Roster: List of Starters for AL, NL Lineups

When fans went to the Internet and voted for the All-Star Game starters for the National League and American League, they did not do their jobs with equanimity.

It seemed that they took their responsibility seriously in the National League, where fans elected eight starters from six National League teams. A strong argument can be made for all eight players who were elected.

Fans elected an American League team with a strong Kansas City flavor. The defending American League champions had an impressive run last fall in getting to the seventh game of the World Series, and four of the nine players elected (American League voters also voted for a designated hitter) wear Royal blue on an every-game basis.

Some of those Kansas City representatives may not be the best players at their positions.  

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The 2015 National League All-Star starters are out. For reaction, head to ESPN Baseball Now: http://t.co/7JDXXKxSrC pic.twitter.com/Up31K7s60A

— ESPN (@espn) July 5, 2015"

In the National League, Matt Holliday's selection may be the most questionable of all the starters. Holliday has a .303/.417/.839 slash line, but his three home runs and 26 RBI are not very impressive. Holliday may not be able to play in the game because of a quadriceps strain, and he could be replaced.

Giancarlo Stanton is one of the game's most explosive power hitters and, like Holliday, was elected to the National League starting outfield. Stanton has pounded 27 home runs and has knocked in 67 runs, but he suffered a broken bone (hamate) in his left hand, and he will not be able to participate.

The third NL outfielder is Bryce Harper, who leads the senior circuit with 13,864,950 votes and is having a brilliant season with a .347/474/1.196 slash line along with 25 home runs and 60 RBI. Like Stanton, Harper has that must-watch aura around him. If the Nationals are playing, fans stop what they are doing so they can watch Harper swing the bat.

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.@Bharper3407 is top vote-getter in Senior Circuit, setting all-time NL single-season voting mark with 13,864,950. pic.twitter.com/oOsvJU3w7Y

— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2015"

Stanton's teammate, speedy Dee Gordon, will start for the National League at second base. He is a sharp fielder at his position and excels at getting on base and causing havoc. Gordon has 29 stolen bases. Power-hitting Jhonny Peralta (11 HR, 42 RBI) of the Cardinals will serve as Gordon's double-play partner and start for the NL at shortstop.

One of the most interesting elections took place at third base in the senior circuit, where Todd Frazier of the Cincinnati Reds was elected to play in front of his hometown fans in Cincinnati over Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals. Carpenter led the voting at the position until Frazier rallied late in the voting process.

Frazier is a most deserving winner, as he has a .285/.344/.946 slash line with 25 homers and 54 RBI.

"Right now I'm pretty much on cloud nine with how excited I am," Frazier told MLB.com's Doug Miller. "It's something you think when you're little playing in the backyard with your brothers. I have two older brothers. I thought they were going to be the ones. They taught me the ropes. ... It's going to be a great time. I'm pretty much going to have 14-15 people coming. They're just as excited as I am."

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt (20 HR and 67 RBI) of the Arizona Diamondbacks and catcher Buster Posey (.877 OPS and 57 RBI) of the Giants round out the NL starting lineup. 

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Your American League All-Star starting lineup! pic.twitter.com/XgwEazd9Ix

— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) July 5, 2015"

American League fans elected catcher Salvador Perez, shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and outfielder Alex Gordon of the Royals.

Perez is widely acknowledged to be the best defensive catcher in the American League and perhaps the second-best in baseball at his position behind Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Perez is having a solid all-around year with a .263/.271/.721 slash line this year along with 13 homers and 34 RBI, but his offensive numbers are not as productive as Stephen Vogt of the Oakland A's. Vogt has an impressive .294/.385/.895 slash line, and he has belted 13 homers and 53 RBI.

Escobar (276/.314/.670) is an important player for the Royals, but his election to the starting AL lineup is questionable. Jose Iglesias of the Detroit Tigers is a brilliant defensive shortstop and is hitting .323, while Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox is an improving defensive player and has a .302/.339/.752 slash line.

Cain is an exciting flychaser in the outfield, and he has impressive offensive numbers that include a .305/.364/.826 slash line along with 84 hits and 16 stolen bases. Gordon is also excellent with the glove, but his .262 batting average with 10 homers and 33 RBI may not be All-Star worthy. J.D. Martinez of the Tigers (23 home runs, 56 RBI) and Jose Bautista (17 HRs, 56 RBI, .917 OPS) of the Blue Jays may have been better candidates.

Miguel Cabrera (.350/.456/1.034, 15 home runs, 54 RBI) of the Tigers will not be able to take his usual spot in the middle of the American League lineup. He is on the disabled list with a calf injury, and baseball fans may see Albert Pujols (24 homers, .886 slugging percentage) of the Los Angeles Angels take his place in the lineup.

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays led all players with 14,090,188 votes, and the third baseman is having a brilliant season with 19 home runs and 56 RBI, along with a solid slash line of .296/.352/.879.

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A few reasons why @BringerOfRain20 garnered the most #ASG votes all-time in a single season. http://t.co/4AYMzmlsNo pic.twitter.com/FbLCKVdymh

— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2015"

Mike Trout of the Angels will make his third consecutive start for the AL in the outfield. Trout appears to be a fixture for the junior circuit as his combination of power, speed, explosive all-around play and defense has made him one of the best players in the game. His numbers—.300/.393/.972 slash line, 21 homers and 44 RBI—verify his status.

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Here’s the first great catch Mike Trout made against Chris Young, http://t.co/egLJBfGZxB here’s the second http://t.co/fCQhNIhf6M.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2015"

Jose Altuve of the Astros got the victory at second base over Omar Infante of the Royals when the spark-plug second baseman rallied in the final weeks of voting. Altuve has impressive numbers with a .301/.344/.763 slash line along with seven homers, 35 RBI and 24 stolen bases. Jason Kipnis of the Cleveland Indians has also been brilliant with a .341/.419/.925 slash line, six homers and 35 RBI.

Nelson Cruz of the Mariners was voted in as the American League's designated hitter, and he has 21 homers and 50 RBI. However, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and Prince Fielder of the Texas Rangers would have also been worthy choices.