2011 MLB All-Star Game: The 6 Deepest Positions on Your All-Star Ballot

The 2011 MLB All-Star game will be held on July 12th at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona—home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It's about time Chase Field was granted the All-Star Game, seeing as though a pool in the stadium is all too fitting for the midsummer classic.

One great thing about the MLB All-Star Game is the interactive fan voting for the game's starters.  From online vote casting to in-stadium balloting, the fans have multiple venues in which to vote for their favorite players.

However, the sheer mass of some fan bases tend to distort the voting in their favor, allowing big names to start over big years.

That being said, you have come to the right place for All-Star balloting advice.  Here are the six deepest positions on this year's ballot and how you—the fan—should vote. 

6. NL Shortstop

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 05: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets celebrates his fourth inning RBI double against the Atlanta Braves on June 5, 2011 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty

Here is a list of potential All-Stars at shortstop for the National League:

Name	Team	BA	HR	RBI	SB
Jose Reyes	NYM	.339	1	23	19
Starlin Castro	CHC	.301	1	26	5
Ryan Theriot	STL	.298	0	22	4
Stephen Drew	ARI	.282	3	33	4
Troy Tulowitzki	COL	.252	11	33	4
Jimmy Rollins	PHI	.267	3	18	14

My Starter: Jose Reyes is the clear-cut choice to start among these National League shortstops.  Reyes is celebrating his newly-found health with a monster first half to the season.  Reyes is getting on base, driving in ample runs at his position, and advancing himself on the base-paths.  It will be good seeing the real Jose Reyes back in the mid-summer classic, its been too long.

My Top Two Reserves: Stephen Drew (playing in his ballpark), Troy Tulowitzki (offense AND defense)

Just Missed Consideration: Jamey Carroll LAD, Alex Gonzalez ATL

5. NL First Base

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CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 3: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds makes contact with the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 3, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Los Angeles 2-1. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty

Here is a list of potential All-Stars for the National League at first base:

Name	Team	BA	HR	RBI
Prince Fielder	MIL	.291	15	50
Gabby Sanchez	FLA	.311	10	38
Albert Pujols	STL	.278	14	39
Joey Votto	CIN	.336	8	38
Todd Helton	COL	.300	7	24
Ryan Howard	PHI	,243	12	47

My Starter: Joey Votto receives my vote as starter at first base for the National League squad.  Votto has validated his MVP award from a year ago and has deserved—in my eyes—the starting first base spot over some other big names.  Votto his batting .336, which leads all NL first-basemen, and has produced nearly the same amount of runs as Albert Pujols...with five less home runs.  The key figure that gave my vote to Votto is his WAR rating (Wins Above Replacement).  Votto has a WAR of 3.2, which basically means he is solely responsible for 3+ wins for the Reds.  In comparison, the next two NL first base are a full win below Votto (Sanchez, Fielder).

My Top Two Reserves: Gabby Sanchez, Prince Fielder...and Albert Pujols

Just Missed Consideration: Daniel Murphy NYM (splits too much time at second), Brett Wallace HOU

4. AL First Base

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 5: Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox hits a home run against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park on June 5, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Here is a list of potential All-Stars at first-base for the American League:

Name	Team	BA	HR	RBI
Adrian Gonzalez	BOS	.340	12	51
Paul Konerko	CHW	.318	14	47
Miguel Cabrera	DET	.318	13	45
Mark Teixeira	NYY	.258	18	41
Adam Lind	TOR	.317	10	33

My Starter: Adrian Gonzalez should easily be the starter at first base when the AL squad takes the field in mid-July.  Gonzalez has transitioned from the NL to the AL without skipping a beat, and will be a nice boost to his new team.  Gonzalez has the highest batting average among AL first-basemen and has the most RBI.

My Top 2 Reserves: Paul Konerko, Miguel Cabrera

Just Missed Consideration: Justin Smoak - SEA, Mitch Moreland - TEX, Mark Trumbo LAA, Casey Kotchman - TB

3. AL Shortstop

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 06: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the Chicago White Sox hits the ball against the Seattle Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field on June 6, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Mariners 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Here is a list for potential All-Star shortstops for the American League:

Name	Team	BA	HR	RBI	SB
Asdrubal Cabrera	CLE	.307	12	42	7
Alexei Ramirez	CHW	.293	6	31	2
Elvis Andrus	TEX	.277	3	26	19
Yunel Escobar	TOR	.286	7	24	2
Erick Aybar	LAA	.296	3	21	14
Derek Jeter	NYY	.263	2	16	5
Jhonny Peralta	DET	.314	8	32	0

My Starter: Asdrubal Cabrera has been a major reason why Cleveland currently sits atop the AL Central.  Cabrera has led the young Indians during their early season surge with clutch, power hitting and dazzling fielding.  Cabrera isn't the best defensive shortstop—but when he makes plays—you can usually find him on the Top 10.  Alexei Ramirez was a close second because of his WAR rating of 3—highest among AL SS's—and his incredible efficiency at the plate and in the field.  It is a crime that Ramirez isn't even in the top five of current AL shortstops in all-star votes.

My Top Two Reserves: Alexei Ramirez, Elvis Andrus/Derek Jeter (should be over/barely under 3000 hits...will be a nice curtain call for a great player)

Just Missed Consideration: Jed Lowrie - BOS

2. NL Outfield

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 5: Matt Kemp #27 and Andre Ethier #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 5, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Dodgers defeated the Reds 9-6. (Photo by Joe

Here is a list of candidates for the three outfield positions on the National League squad:

Name	Team	BA	HR	RBI	SB
Hunter Pence	HOU	.313	8	34	3
Matt Kemp	LAD	.320	17	50	14
Andre Ethier	LAD	.324	5	30	0
Ryan Braun	MIL	.304	13	43	14
Jay Bruce	CIN	.299	17	46	4
Martin Prado	ATL	.277	8	33	2
Matt Holliday (DL)	STL	.342	6	31	0
Lance Berkman	STL	.329	13	42	0
Andrew McCutchen	PIT	.275	9	32	11
Justin Upton	ARI	.272	11	30	11

My Three Starters: The three guys that have stood out this year in their respective outfields and deserve the starting nods in this NL All-Star outfield are Matt Kemp, Jay Bruce, and Ryan Braun.  These guys make up the top three in home runs and RBI for the NL, and are each at or above a .300 batting average.  This group combines power with above average speed and defense to give the NL their best chance at a quick start.

My Next Three in Line: Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, Andrew McCutchen (second highest NL OF WAR rating to Matt Kemp)

Just Missed Consideration: Drew Stubbs - CIN, Michael Bourne - HOU, Colby Rasmus - STL

1. AL Outfield

Rob Carr/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 05: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays waits to bat against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 5, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Here are some candidates for the outfield positions on the American League squad:

Name	Team	BA	HR	RBI	SB
Jose Bautista	TOR	.348	20	41	5
Josh Hamilton	TEX	.300	3	20	3
Jason Kubel	MIN	.310	5	30	1
Carlos Quentin	CHW	.268	15	42	0
Alex Gordon	KC	.280	7	31	5
Curtis Granderson	NYY	.269	17	41	9
Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	.301	7	30	22
Matt Joyce	TB	.340	10	34	4
Adam Jones	BAL	.301	8	32	5
Denard Span	MIN	.294	2	15	4

My Three Starters: My top three outfielders that should start for the American League outfield are Jose Bautista, Matt Joyce and Curtis Granderson.  Bautista is having a ridiculous year once again, and is really beginning to run away with the AL MVP Award—at the beginning of June.  By the way, Bautista's WAR rating is FIVE.  Matt Joyce has come out of nowhere and has put up numbers that are as surprising as Bautista's were last year.  His stats have definitely caught baseball fans in Tampa and beyond off-guard.  Granderson has put up incredible power numbers and is still a threat on the base paths.  His WAR rating is an impressive 2.7.

My Next Three in Line: Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Quentin, Adam Jones.

**Josh Hamilton spent an extended period on the DL, Denard Span is incredible in the field and has an astonishing 2.8 WAR rating (explaining the inclusion of both on the list)**

Just Missed Consideration: Jeff Francoeur - KC, Michael Brantley - CLE, Melky Cabrera - KC 

The Rest of My Starters

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 03: Jered Weaver #36 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 3, 2011 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Yankees 3-2. (Photo by Je

American League

Catcher: Alex Avila - DET (.289/9/32)

Second Base: Robinson Cano - NYY (.277/12/39)

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez - NYY (.280/10/33)

Starting Pitcher: Jered Weaver - LAA (7-4 - 2.14 ERA - 92.2 IP)

National League

Catcher: Brian McCann - ATL (.302/7/31)

Second Base: Rickie Weeks - MIL (.284/11/26)

Third Base: Placido Polanco - PHI (.315/3/33)

Starting Pitcher: Roy Halladay - PHI (8-3 - 2.54 ERA - 98.1 IP)