2011 MLB All-Star Game: Picking the Fantasy All-Star Team for Each League

With the MLB All-Star Game next Tuesday, it’s time to exam the 2011 Fantasy Baseball All-Star Teams.

On both the NL and AL teams, there are familiar faces and some newcomers.

Many of the All-Stars are the best player at the position, while others have had great seasons for where they were generally drafted at the beginning of the year.

Here are the 2011 Fantasy All-Star Teams for each league.

AL Catcher: Alex Avila

Alex Avila is well deserving of this spot on the AL team.

Avila has ten home runs and 46 RBI for the Tigers and has been a pleasant surprise for his fantasy owners in 2011.

AL First Base: Adrian Gonzalez

In his first season in Boston, Adrian Gonzalez has been one of the best hitters in the league.

Gonzalez has a .350 average and a whopping 74 RBI in 2011, leading the league in the both categories.

AL Second Base: Ian Kinsler

Despite a low batting average, Ian Kinsler is still the best fantasy second baseman in the American League.

Kinsler has 12 home runs and 18 steals, and once again is a threat to have a 30/30 season.

AL Shortstop: Asdrubal Cabrera

Aside from making spectacular plays on defense, Asdrubal Cabrera is deserving of a spot on the Fantasy All-Star Team.

Cabrera has 14 homers and 12 steals on the season while playing a value shallow position.

Team that with the fact that Cabrera was not a high draft pick, and he well deserves of the AL Shortstop spot on the Fantasy All-Star Team.

AL Third Base: Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez is having another one of his typical seasons.

On the season, ARod is batting .299 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI.

Though he may not be as young as he once was, Rodriguez is still one of the best hitters in the game.

AL Outfielders: Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson, Jacoby Ellsbury

The three outfielders on the AL squad are Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Bautista has continued his power surge from 2010, belting 27 home runs while hitting .331.

Granderson has also found his power stroke, hitting 22 homers while stealing 15 bases.

Ellsbury has bounced back nicely from his 2010 injury, swiping 26 bases while surprisingly hitting nine home runs.

AL Starters: Jered Weaver, Justin Verlander, James Shields

The American League has had several great fantasy pitchers, but Jered Weaver, Justin Verlander and James Shields have been the three best.

Weaver is 10-4 on the season with 16 of 18 starts being quality starts.

Verlander is 11-3 with 130 strikeouts, and has a no-hitter on the season to boot.

Shields has been surprisingly effective in 2011, sporting a 2.47 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.

AL Closer: Jose Valverde

Jose Valverde has been an efficient closer in 2011.

Valverde is a perfect 20-for-20 in save chances, and has 35 strikeouts on the season.

NL Catcher: Brian McCann

Brian McCann is the clear cut choice as the NL catcher.

McCann is batting .314 with 14 dingers and has been the best catcher in both baseball and fantasy baseball in 2011.

NL First Base: Gaby Sanchez

Though other first baseman, Prince Fielder, have had better seasons, Gaby Sanchez gets the spot due to his average draft position.

Instead of drafting Fielder in one of the first three rounds, Sanchez and his 13 homers and 47 RBI could have been had in one of the later rounds.

NL Second Base: Rickie Weeks

Not only is RIckie Weeks the NL starter in the real All-Star Game, but he is the NL representative in the Fantasy All-Star Game as well.

Weeks has 15 home runs and 60 runs scored on the season and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.

NL Shortstop: Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is arguably the best player in fantasy baseball this year.

Reyes is batting .354 with 65 runs and 30 steals and has been the best shortstop by far.

Despite the recent injury, expect Reyes to have a record breaking year in 2011.

NL Third Base: Aramis Ramirez

Up until recently, Aramis Ramirez hadn’t had a great 2011 season.

However, Ramirez has seven homers in his past ten games to put his season total at 12.

Ramirez will eventually cool off, but he still is the best fantasy third baseman in the NL this year.

NL Outfielders: Matt Kemp, Michael Bourn, Ryan Braun

Matt Kemp, Michael Bourn and Ryan Braun are the top three NL fantasy outfielders in 2011.

Kemp is batting .322 and has 22 home runs and 22 steals.  A 40/40 season is within reach of the Dodger outfielder.

Michael Bourn is leading the league with 35 steals, and also has scored 57 runs on the year.

Braun has been his usual self as well, batting .320 with 16 homers and 19 steals.

NL Starters: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Clayton Kershaw

The Philadelphia duo of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, as well as young Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw, are the best NL fantasy pitchers on the season.

Halladay has an 11-3 record with 131 strikeouts, while teammate Lee is 9-6 with four shutouts on the season.

Kershaw has been just as good, leading the majors with 138 strikeouts in 2011.

NL Closer: Craig Kimbrel

Atlanta rookie Craig Kimbrel was an All-Star snub, but he makes the Fantasy All-Star Team.

Kimbrel has 24 saves while striking out 67 batters in just 42 innings.