The MLB All Star game is on July 12th and voting is underway to pick the starting lineups for the National League and American League teams. Our baseball experts give their choices, with Chengez picking the AL team and Aditya picking the NL Team.
National League Selections
C: Wilson Ramos (WSH)
He's had a monstrous first half at the plate and is showcasing baseball fans what he's capable of when healthy. A .342 BA, 12 HRs and 41 RBIs vaults him a place in the starting lineup for me.
Honorable Mentions: Buster Posey (SF)
He's a total stud and will always be under consideration to start the All Star game for the NL for years to come. Had a hard time choosing between him and Ramos, and I have a hunch that the fans will end up choosing Posey regardless.
1B: Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
Again, not much has to be said here, as Goldy has been his usual self after a somewhat slow start to the season. He's in the class of elites that includes Trout, Harper and Machado and therefore deserves to start.
Honorable Mention: Wil Myers (SD), Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
One of the few bright spots for the Padres has been the emergence of Wil Myers, and I think he will end up being part of the team regardless. Rizzo is also a stud and he's on my fantasy team so I'm clearly biased here.
2B: Daniel Murphy (WSH)
He's been absolutely killing it with the Nationals this year and that batting average is insane. The depth at second base also takes a major nosedive after Murphy as it's quite a shallow category in the NL this year.
Honorable Mention: Josh Harrison (PIT)
SS: Trevor Story
He's had a hard time choosing between him and Corey Seager, but I'm choosing him purely on bias of having a cooler name and a hot start to the season.
Honorable Mentions: Corey Seager, Johnathan Villar
Corey Seager and Joc Pederson have been excellent prospects for the Dodgers with Seager filling in the void left by Hanley Ramirez extremely well, and Villar has had a resurgence in form with Milwaukee. I can see both players end up making the roster regardless.
3B: Nolan Arenado (COL)
Again had a hard time choosing between Arenado and Bryant, but I just feel like Arenado doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Maybe it's because he plays for a bad team or maybe it's because he plays half his games in Coors. But regardless, dudes a stud and deserves to start for the team.
Honorable Mentions: Kris Bryant (CHC), Matt Carpenter (STL)
I have a hunch Bryant will run away with the fan voting and will start for the NL thanks to his charisma and the extensive media coverage that the Cubs are receiving these days. Matt Carpenter is also a solid option.
DH: Bartolo Colon (NYM)
Duh...
OF: Bryce Harper (WSH)
Bryce Harper and Mike Trout will probably start for the NL and AL respectively for years to come barring an injury or if Harper ends up joining the Yankees. He has cooled off a bit for his standards after having a sensation April, but I mean how can you not start Bryce Harper in the All Star game? He has been a Baseball star since the age of 15, and this is the All star game!!
OF: Carlos Gonzalez (COL)
He's had a nice bounceback season with Colorado and has not had his annual DL trip so far as well (knock on wood). It'll be nice to see CarGo at the big stage yet again.
OF: Starling Marte (PIT)
For me, Marte was the most qualified in the OF bunch to start this game. He already has 20 Steals, has a solid batting average and is an amazing fielder. A true 5 tool player that deserves to start this game hands down.
Honorable Mentions: Yoenis Cespedes (NYM), Gregory Polanco (PIT), Giancarlo Stanton (MIA), Matt Holliday (STL).
Cespedes has continued to steal the spotlight in New York, Polanco is having a breakout season with Pittsburgh and Matt Holliday still continues to produce in the twilight of his career. While having Stanton here might be baffling considering how bad he's been this season, the prospect of seeing him hit a moonshot during the All Star Game is quite enticing.
SP: Clayton Kershaw (LAD)
This is a no brainer. Kershaw is hands down the best pitcher in the league and only God knows whether the best is still yet to come. You could certainly make the case for Arrieta or MadBum to start instead, but for me, it has to be Clayton.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Arrieta (CHC), Madison Bumgarner (SF)
Arrieta continues to impress after winning the Cy Young last year while Bumgarner has only allowed a total of 10 runs in his last 10 starts. The NL's pitching depth in my opinion is far superior to the AL, and that will be their key to success in order to win the All Star game.
National League Selections
C: Wilson Ramos (WSH)
He's had a monstrous first half at the plate and is showcasing baseball fans what he's capable of when healthy. A .342 BA, 12 HRs and 41 RBIs vaults him a place in the starting lineup for me.
Honorable Mentions: Buster Posey (SF)
He's a total stud and will always be under consideration to start the All Star game for the NL for years to come. Had a hard time choosing between him and Ramos, and I have a hunch that the fans will end up choosing Posey regardless.
1B: Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
Again, not much has to be said here, as Goldy has been his usual self after a somewhat slow start to the season. He's in the class of elites that includes Trout, Harper and Machado and therefore deserves to start.
Honorable Mention: Wil Myers (SD), Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
One of the few bright spots for the Padres has been the emergence of Wil Myers, and I think he will end up being part of the team regardless. Rizzo is also a stud and he's on my fantasy team so I'm clearly biased here.
2B: Daniel Murphy (WSH)
He's been absolutely killing it with the Nationals this year and that batting average is insane. The depth at second base also takes a major nosedive after Murphy as it's quite a shallow category in the NL this year.
Honorable Mention: Josh Harrison (PIT)
SS: Trevor Story
He's had a hard time choosing between him and Corey Seager, but I'm choosing him purely on bias of having a cooler name and a hot start to the season.
Honorable Mentions: Corey Seager, Johnathan Villar
Corey Seager and Joc Pederson have been excellent prospects for the Dodgers with Seager filling in the void left by Hanley Ramirez extremely well, and Villar has had a resurgence in form with Milwaukee. I can see both players end up making the roster regardless.
3B: Nolan Arenado (COL)
Again had a hard time choosing between Arenado and Bryant, but I just feel like Arenado doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Maybe it's because he plays for a bad team or maybe it's because he plays half his games in Coors. But regardless, dudes a stud and deserves to start for the team.
Honorable Mentions: Kris Bryant (CHC), Matt Carpenter (STL)
I have a hunch Bryant will run away with the fan voting and will start for the NL thanks to his charisma and the extensive media coverage that the Cubs are receiving these days. Matt Carpenter is also a solid option.
DH: Bartolo Colon (NYM)
Duh...
OF: Bryce Harper (WSH)
Bryce Harper and Mike Trout will probably start for the NL and AL respectively for years to come barring an injury or if Harper ends up joining the Yankees. He has cooled off a bit for his standards after having a sensation April, but I mean how can you not start Bryce Harper in the All Star game? He has been a Baseball star since the age of 15, and this is the All star game!!
OF: Carlos Gonzalez (COL)
He's had a nice bounceback season with Colorado and has not had his annual DL trip so far as well (knock on wood). It'll be nice to see CarGo at the big stage yet again.
OF: Starling Marte (PIT)
For me, Marte was the most qualified in the OF bunch to start this game. He already has 20 Steals, has a solid batting average and is an amazing fielder. A true 5 tool player that deserves to start this game hands down.
Honorable Mentions: Yoenis Cespedes (NYM), Gregory Polanco (PIT), Giancarlo Stanton (MIA), Matt Holliday (STL).
Cespedes has continued to steal the spotlight in New York, Polanco is having a breakout season with Pittsburgh and Matt Holliday still continues to produce in the twilight of his career. While having Stanton here might be baffling considering how bad he's been this season, the prospect of seeing him hit a moonshot during the All Star Game is quite enticing.
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| Aditya's All Star Team |
This is a no brainer. Kershaw is hands down the best pitcher in the league and only God knows whether the best is still yet to come. You could certainly make the case for Arrieta or MadBum to start instead, but for me, it has to be Clayton.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Arrieta (CHC), Madison Bumgarner (SF)
Arrieta continues to impress after winning the Cy Young last year while Bumgarner has only allowed a total of 10 runs in his last 10 starts. The NL's pitching depth in my opinion is far superior to the AL, and that will be their key to success in order to win the All Star game.
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