2011 All-Star Game: the Rightful National League Starters
Year after year, baseball fans watch the All-Star game in mid-July. It seems that year after year, those same fans see players in the game that don't deserve to be there.
C'mon everyone. The game means something now, so how about we stop with the popularity contest?
I watched Ken Griffey Jr. float to the top of the NL outfield polls throughout his days in Cincinnati - I knew that he didn't belong there, even as a young kid. His year-after-year .230 batting average was certainly not representative of an All-Star.
This year, the fans surprisingly have it mostly right, so keep up the smart voting!
Still, I present this list to give you those athletes that really deserve the starting nods. It's time to be responsible and fair when it comes to picking who gets the honor of being an All-Star.
1B: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
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The first baseman vote is one that voters are currently messing up, and in a big way. Albert Pujols leads the category, while the reigning MVP, Joey Votto, is performing better than him in just about every statistical category.
Votto's .338 batting average is best in the National League (Pujols ranks 32nd), as is his .466 on-base percentage. He has been the main bright point on a struggling Reds' team.
I give fans credit; I remember Votto being the last man voted into the All-Star game last year, and to have him make people notice him like he has is impressive.
Votto's only lacking quality right now is his power game. At the All-Star break last year, Votto had 23 home runs. With about a month to go, he has only eight. Still, Votto is making a legitimate case to be a back-to-back MVP, so he should be starting on the right side of the infield.
2B: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
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Phillips is the current leader in second-base voting, and comfortably so. Though Phillips has fallen off offensively as of late, he's still the best option.
He's got the second-best batting average in Cincinnati (behind teammate Joey Votto), and is only .002 behind Darwin Barney for the lead among NL second-baseman. His on-base percentage is a career-high .354.
His overall stat-line reads .294/.354/.412, also having five dingers and 33 RBI.
If Phillips isn't voted in for his stellar offensive numbers, then he should be for his incredible defensive performances. The two-time Gold Glove athlete has a .996 fielding percentage in 2011; that totals up to a single error in 55 games this season.
He has been described by some as the best all-around second baseman ever.
SS: Jose Reyes, New York Mets
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There was a time when I thought this man would never see another All-Star game. Reyes had a magnificent 2008, but injuries plagued him throughout 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he's back on the radar.
His batting average of .337 is second in the National League, and best among shortstops in all of baseball. His .506 slugging percentage also makes its own case.
There aren't many shortstops in the league who are performing even half as well as Reyes, so he should be a run away winner, but Troy Tulowitzki is the current vote-leader. Reyes currently ranks third.
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3B: Placido Polanco, Philadelphia Phillies
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The race for the starter at third-base shouldn't even be a contest.
He is by far the best player at the position in baseball right now, let alone the National League. He is on a .320 streak right now, good for on of his best seasons.
Polanco certainly has the numbers to back-up his rightful spot, but to save time, go look at stats for other NL third-baseman—you'll find that Polanco is the only guy in the category.
C: Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves
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I'm going to catch some heat for this pick, because Yadier Molina certainly has the potential to be here. However, Brian McCann is the better of the two.
He's batting .302, which is behind Molina's impressive .321 mark. Where McCann shines is that he has seven home runs and 31 RBI, both numbers better than Molina's.
He's also much better than Molina defensively, given his .993 fielding percentage. He has more experience and, oh by the way, he's last year's ASG MVP.
Outfield: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
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Braun leads the whole league in terms of All-Star votes, and that is for good reason. He ranks among the top ten in every offensive category imaginable.
Some will argue that Braun is the best player to be in the Majors today, and Braun's career numbers won't do much to disprove that. Still, career numbers aren't why he deserves to be there.
When you dominate like he can, how can he not be popular among voters? If you look for the picture perfect combination of power, speed and natural ability, this is what you get.
Outfield: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
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For the last three seasons, Kemp has shown flashes of brilliance, and flashes of pure garbage.
This year, the former has reigned supreme and in a big way. He leads the National League in RBI with 48, has 16 homers, and has a .323 batting average, which is heavily influenced by Kemp batting .400 over his last ten games. Like Braun, Kemp brings an incredible combination of pure talent, power and speed.
Kemp currently is 5th among NL outfielders, but should be second at the very least.
Outfield: Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals
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Do I think that Lance Berkman will keep up his sick pace all year? I don't, especially given his last few poor performances. However, up to now, Berkman is batting above .330 and has a .599 slugging percentage. 2011 has been his best season so far.
It's hard to argue his case, whether you think he will keep it up or not. Berkman has continued his All-Star caliber after taking a couple years off from it. There's no doubt that he has been a catalyst to the Cardinals' hot start this year. If he keeps it up, Berkman is guaranteed to be NL Comeback Player of the Year, at the very least.
SP: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies
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I know fans can't vote on the pitcher, but I may as well name the starter, and who better than Doc?
He leads baseball with 97 K's and is tied for the lead in wins with eight. His 2.56 ERA is also indicative of a pitcher who dominates a good part of the time.
Kevin Correia and Yovani Gallardo are the two tied with Halladay for the lead in wins, but their stats are nowhere near as impressive.
Honorable Mentions
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I know some of you are steaming that one of your favorites are off this list that probably deserve to be here. For that reason, I present some honorable mentions that could break the starting lineup if the next few weeks go well for them. Hope you enjoyed the read!
Andre Either, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Gaby Sanchez, 1B, Florida Marlins
Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs
Matt Holliday, OF, St.Louis Cardinals
Yadier Molina, C, St.Louis Cardinals
Hunter Pence, OF, Houston Astros
Jay Bruce, OF, Cincinnati Reds
Brett Wallace, 1B, Houston Astros
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