Your Rosters, courtesy of MLB
And, what would rosters be without breaking them down?
American League
C - Joe Mauer
Mauer's third All Star selection in four years. He is the best offensive catcher in the American League beyond a shadow of a doubt, possibly all of baseball. His numbers this year are ridiculous. He's hitting .390 with 14 HR and 45 RBIs.
1B - Mark Teixeira
I wonder if Alex Rodriguez will get an invite as well? Teix has been good this year, but he really started turning his numbers around once Rodriguez returned and started hitting behind him to offer protection.
2B - Dustin Pedroia
Boo. I blame the fans in Boston for letting someone who has an average of .285 with 2 HR, 35 RBIs, and an OBP of .365 start the All Star game. For comparison, someone more deserving to start, Aaron Hill, of the Blue Jays, is hitting .297 with 19 HR, 56 RBI, and an OBP of .338. Or Ian Kinsler, who has 19 HR, 51 RBI, and an OBP of .333. Either are more deserving this year.
3B - Evan Longoria
Longoria makes his second consecutive trip, and deservedly so with an OPS of .925. Longoria is definitely among the top third baseman in the game today, and is the face of the Rays franchise.
SS - Derek Jeter
Jeter will make his 10th All Star appearence this year, this season he is hitting .308 so far with 9 HR and 32 RBI. Jason Bartlett is, by the numbers, more deserving of a start, hitting .362 with 8 HR and 37 RBI, not to mention a ridiculous OPS of .969.
OF - Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki, and Josh Hamilton
Hamilton? Really? The man has played 35 games this year, and isn't even doing that well, hitting only .240 with 6 HR in those games. We all remember the show he put on at last year's home run derby, which is the main reason why he got voted in: so we could see him compete again. Jason Bay deserves his selection, as he has shown power in Boston. Ichiro makes his 9th consecutive All Star appearence, putting up his usual Ichirio numbers.
National League
C - Yadier Molina
Boo. Name-that-Molina is only starting because the game is in St. Louis. Brian McCann should be starting, as he has put up better numbers in fewer games.
1B - Albert Pujols
The eighth appearence in nine years for Pujols. What else can be said about him. He's on pace to hit 62 HR this year. Let's all hope he can hit a certain number...say, 74? And bring back glory to the single season home run record. Hell, I'll even take 62.
2B - Chase Utley
The fourth consecutive appearence for Utley, he is one of the premier second basemen in the game today, and is arguably the best second baseman in the National League, both offensively, and defensively.
3B - David Wright
The only good thing that came out of Mike Hampton deserves a lot of credit. He's been doing well this season despite injuries to many of the Mets. As much as it pains me to say this, he does deserve this selection.
SS - Hanley Ramirez
HanRam will be 26 in Decemeber, and is already a two time All Star. He is a phenomenal shortstop and is the best all around player in the game today.
OF - Carlos Beltran, Raul Ibanez, and Ryan Braun
Really? Beltran? He's injured. Ibanez has had a career year in Philly. Braun is Braun, and is the starter in the OF by default. Alfonso Soriano is likely to replace Beltran.
There will be more analysis to come later, specifically, the starting pitching.
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Pedroia's just making up for the fact that Youk should be starting at first. Texiera's a prat. A limey prat.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Wake's selection makes up for any other oversight.
Wake was selected by Joe Maddon. He was seleccted as more of a career achievement award, in that it honors all his work in his career. And Tex has had a good season so far. Also, I read an article that said Pedroia will never match the numbers he put up last year based on his swing.
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