MLB All-Star Countdown: NL Shortstops

The list of potential shortstops who could represent the National League in the All-Star Game is exceptional, but there are vast differences between what kind of shortstops these players are.

In fact, the top two shortstops on this list are neck-and-neck in my eyes. One is a pure shortstop and one is a home run-hitting crowd pleaser. Yunel Escobar and Jimmy Rollins did not make this list but deserve recognition for their great seasons.

5. Ryan Theriot, Chicago Cubs
The man that they call “The Riot” in Chicago hasn’t been in the league for very long. The fourth-year Cub from LSU is tied with Carlos Guzman for the highest batting average on this list, hitting .310. He finds his pit fall in the area of power hitting. Theriot has only 11 doubles, one home run and 22 runs batted in.

4. Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros
Miguel Tejada leads the shortstops in All-Star voting and it is easy to see why. The veteran isn’t putting up the numbers he once did, but he is still exciting to watch. He has 10 home runs and 43 runs batted in this season. Tejada is not a very patient hitter, drawing only 14 walks this season, but he has a good .294 batting average.

3. Cristian Guzman, Washington Nationals
Did Washington fans start a movement to boycott the All-Star game? They must have, because Guzman has not cracked the top five in All-Star voting, and he is very deserving. Guzman has a .310 average with 45 runs on an astounding 102 hits. He only has three stolen bases but has also only struck out 22 times.

2. Jose Reyes, New York Mets
Jose Reyes continues to be an impressive player and deserves to be an All-Star this season. In addition to his .294 average, he has 90 hits, 20 doubles, eight triples, eight home runs and 31 runs batted in. He also has shown his speed, leading this list in stolen bases with 26.

1.  Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Hanley Ramirez has to be the most exciting player to watch on this list. Not only can he hit, but he is speedy too. Ramirez has a .295 average, 64 runs, 86 hits, 12 doubles, 16 home runs, 33 runs batted in, 40 walks and 19 stolen bases. His only downfall is that he whiffs in excess. He has struck out 70 times this year.

American League
C         A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox
1B        Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
2B        Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
3B        Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
SS        Michael Young, Texas Rangers
OF      (Next up
OF      Tentatively scheduled
OF      for tomorrow)
P

National League
C         Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves
1B        Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
2B        Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
3B        Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
SS        Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
OF      
OF      
OF      
P