My National League All-Stars

Ok so MLB.com just posted the National League All-Star voting results to date, and personally I'm disgusted with the All-Star voters. So as a simple solution I will name who I think deserves to be starting the All-Star game. Here's the NL:

National League:

Catcher:
Current Vote Leader:

• Mike Piazza, Mets *.264, 8 HR, 31 RBI

My Pick:

• Mike Matheny, Giants *.241, 8 HR, 34 RBI

Analysis: Yes, Mike Matheny is on the sad excuse for a team that we call the Giants but right now he's tied for 1st among NL catchers in HR and RBI's and let's face it, the Giants have to send someone to the Midsummer Classic.

First Base:
Current Vote Leader:

• Albert Pujols, Cardinals *.337, 20 HR, 64 RBI, .421 OBP, .605 SLG

My Pick:

• Derek Lee *.386, 25 HR, 67 RBI, .466 OBP, .719 SLG

Analysis: This one's close, but Derek Lee is simply having the better all-around season. Pujols is a great player but he can't compare to Lee right now. Even with all the hype surrounding Lee and his run for the Triple Crown, I personally don't see it happening. But I will put my money on him winning the MVP. When you look at Pujols OBP and SLG, they're considerably better than the league average. Then you look at Lee's OBP and SLG and he's in a completely different stratosphere. Unless your name is Barry Bonds, you won't see a lot of people with SLG up around .720.

Second Base:
Current Vote Leader:

• Jeff Kent, Dodgers *.297, 15 HR, 58 RBI *.377 OBP

My Pick:

• Jeff Kent, Dodgers *.297, 15 HR, 58 RBI *.377 OBP

Analysis:As much as I don't like Jeff Kent, he's the best NL second baseman right now and I can't deny that. I've never been much of a Kent fan so when I say he should start the All-Star game at 2nd, I mean it. His .377 OBP leads all 2nd basemen and ranks him up there with the NL leaders.

3rd Base:
Current Vote Leader:

• Scott Rolen, Cardinals *.248, 5 HR, 20 RBI *.343 OBP

My Pick:

• Morgan Ensberg, Astros *.286, 21 HR, 52 RBI *.383 OBP, .580 SLG
  

Analysis: How in the name of all that is holy did Scott Rolen get enough votes to get into first place in voting? For a guy playing on a team with an anemic offense, the kind of numbers Ensberg is putting up are astounding, even if he does play in hitter's ballpark. Ensberg strikes out quite a bit with 62 K's in 269 AB, but he also can take his share of walks (41 BB), which would account for his high OBP.

Shortstop:
Current Vote Leader:

• Cesar Izturis, Dodgers *.275, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 5 SB *.322 OBP

My Pick:

• Felipe Lopez, Reds *.321, 14 HR, 48 RBI *.364 OBP, .565 SLG

Analysis:I have no clue how Izturis is 1st in voting. Lopez came out of nowhere this year and now he's the best shortstop in the National League. The only thing keeping him out of the All-Star game is the fact that he plays for the Reds. He's lost in the shuffle between big name hitters such as Adam Dunn and Griffey Jr. He doesn't take a whole lot of walks, but he still manages to get on base, hit for average, and hit a good amount of homers.

Outfield:
Current Leaders:

• Bobby Abreu, Phillies *.314, 17 HR, 52 RBI, 20 SB, .432 OBP, .541 SLG
  
• Jim Edmonds, Cardinals *.292, 14 HR, 46 RBI
• Carlos Beltran, Mets *.262, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 1 SB

My Picks:

• Andruw Jones, Braves *.280, 24 HR, 54 RBI, .596 SLG
• Carlos Lee, Brewers *.274, 22 HR, 72 RBI, 8 SB, .341 OBP, .561 SLG
• Bobby Abreu, Phillies *.314, 17 HR, 52 RBI, 20 SB, .432 OBP

Analysis:
Beltran was going to be an All-Star before he even picked up a bat this season, namely because of who he is, not what he does. For the monster contract that he was signed for, he's been a huge disappointment.
Abreu, is putting together yet another solid season and this year he's finally getting some recogition. He's always been a 5 tool player; he's just slipped beneath the radar in previous seasons. His .432 OBP is above-average, and his strikeout to walk ratio is almost 1:1; an impressive stat considering most power hitters strike out a lot and don't walk. He has 59 walks and 57 K's.
Jim Edmonds isn't having a terrible season, but he's definitely not having an All-Star season. The reasons he's tops in voting right now is because he plays for the Cards and all of their players are getting votes from the hometown loyals.
Andruw Jones has been red hot in June, and his numbers show it. With Chipper Jones down with an injury (what else is new) the other Jones has stepped up and now he has the spotlight.
Carlos Lee is 14th in voting for outfielders. That's absolutely disgraceful for the Major League leader in RBI's. His 20 homers make him one of the elite power hitting outfielders in the NL, although his .274 BA is respectable, but nothing to be jacked up about.


American League All-Star picks and analysis coming soon.