The MLB All-Star game is still a while away (July 15), but fan voting ends on July 2 (this Wednesday). Today and tomorrow I will present my picks for who should be in the starting lineup in New York. Here are my picks for the NL:
Catcher
Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves
McCann is about 500,000 votes behind Geovany Soto for the top spot, but if you compare their numbers it should be clear (except to delusional cubs fans) that McCann currently deserves the honor:
McCann - .295 Avg, .536 SLG, 45 RBI, 14 HR, 23 Doubles, 38 Strikeouts
Soto - .280 Avg, .511 SLG, 47 RBI, 13 HR, 20 Doubles, 69 Strikeouts
First Baseman
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
This is one of the easier decisions for all-star voters.
.364 Avg, 21 HR, 107 Hits, 67 RBI, 27 Doubles
Second Baseman
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
This is a tougher choice, because Utley's numbers are very similar to those of Dan Uggla.
Utley - .298 Avg, 65 RBI, 23 HR, 59 Runs
Uggla - .289 Avg, 58 RBI, 23 HR, 57 Runs
Shortstop
Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
The latest update on the voting shows Ramirez taking over the lead from Miguel Tejada, and rightfully so.
Ramirez - .294 Avg, 18 HR, 69 Runs, 20 SB
Honorable Mention to Christian Guzman (.313 Avg, 110 Hits, 24 Doubles)
Third Baseman
Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
Another no-brainer - if someone is flirting with .400, they will be an all-star. Hopefully Jones will be healthy enough to play in the game.
.394 Avg, 100 Hits, 46 RBI, 16 HR
Outfield
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
Carlos Lee, Houston Astros
Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers
I'll take those three in the outfield any day over the three that are currently holding the top spots in the voting - Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, and Ken Griffey.
Braun - .287 Avg, 20 HR, 58 RBI, 94 Hits
Lee - .279 Avg, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 22 Doubles
Hart - .292 Avg, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 21 Doubles, 10 SB
Soriano - .283 Avg, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 11 Doubles
Fukudome - .298 Avg, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 16 Doubles
Griffey - .234 Avg, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 14 Doubles
Pitchers
The fans of course don't vote for the pitchers, but here are four starters and one reliever I would pick.
Brandon Webb - 12-4, 3.21 ERA, 94 SO, 29 BB
Edinson Volquez - 10-3, 2.08 ERA, 110 SO, 48 BB
Tim Lincecum - 9-1, 2.38 ERA, 114 SO, 43 BB
Ben Sheets - 9-2, 2.83 ERA, 91 SO, 23 BB
Brad Lidge - 19/19 Saves, 0.84 ERA, 42 SO in 32 IP
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4 comments:
How about eliminating the fan vote entirely. Let the players vote like in the NFL.
SS
I agree with you full force on the infield and pitching. I think your outfield, however, is more of a, "so what if they never made the Coco Cordero trade" fantasy team. I think the all star game should be a reward for this years accomplishments, not a lifetime achievement award. Thats what the Hall of Fame is for and that's where Griffey belongs.
I would replace Hart and Lee (I realize he has good numbers, but he costs his team at least 2 runs a week with his horrible defense. Plus, he couldn't score from third on a triple.) I'd go with Matt Holliday and Xavier Nady because they have absolutely no protection in the lineup and have earned their RBI's. Plus I have to give you crap because you didn't post a baseball update in a week.
-SS
Holliday and Nady have better batting averages, but their power numbers are lacking (especially for Holliday, who plays at Coors Field)...where's your Brewers pride?
Interesting that you bring up that Carlos Lee - Francisco Cordero trade....are any of those players with the Brewers or Rangers now? Or playing in the major leagues?
I saw Mench was sent to Triple A. Bad news for his teammates if he makes it to the buffet first. Those aren't big league spreads.
SS
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