Since the MLB All-Star Game is basically just a popularity contest (like any All-Star Game really), every year I put together the "should-be" All-Star team. MLB bases their starting lineups strictly on fan-voting, and most years the fans get it wrong. Not the whole lineups but decent chunks of them. Also MLB has a stipulation that every team, no matter how awful their record, must have an All-Star, which in turn often creates snubs out of guys that are more than deserving. I set up these teams using the following:
Each roster has 31 roster spots. Actual MLB all-star rosters often feature a few more spots.
The starting lineups consist of the player at each position that is having the best overall year, offensive, defensive, and team performance all factored together. The bench has at least one backup for each position. To fill out the rest of the bench, the best remaining players regardless of position were selected. The pitching staffs include 4 relievers on each team, with the rest filled in with starters.
NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STARS
Starting Lineup
1. CF- Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh)
McCutchen is hitting .318 as the 3 hitter for the Pirates. Also 3rd in NL in OPS (.976)
2. 2B - Neil Walker (Pittsburgh)
Leads all NL 2B in HR and RBI
3. LF - Yasiel Puig (Los Angeles)
Games most exciting player, 2nd in MLB in OPS (.997)
4. RF - Giancarlo Stanton (Miami)
Leads the entire NL in HR and RBI (17, 53)
5. 1B - Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona)
The best of a real good 1B crop (.308 BA., 13 HR)
6. SS - Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado)
Leads MLB in OPS (1.115), best SS hands down
7. DH - Charlie Blackmon (Colorado)
Very deserving young OF, put him at DH for lineup balance
8. 3B- Todd Frazier (Cincinnati)
Stands out strong in a weak 3B crop
9. C - Jonathan Lucroy (Milwaukee)
Leads all NL Catchers in BA., OPS and doubles. Team is also 1st in Central
P - Johnny Cueto (Cincinnati)
Stats across the board make Cueto a fairly easy decision
Bench
C- Yadier Molina (St.Louis)
Resident NL's best catcher, still an All-Star especially defensively
1B- Anthony Rizzo (Chicago)
A close 2nd best at first, Rizzo is having a break out year
1B- Freddie Freeman (Atlanta)
NL's best defensive 1B, also having a solid year at the plate
1B- Adam LaRoche (Washington)
Leads NL 1B in OPS and BA.
2B- Chase Utley (Philadelphia)
Also a resident NL's best, Utley having one of his best seasons
3B- Pablo Sandoval (San Francisco)
Need a back up 3B, NL's best team's leader gets the nod.
SS- Hanley Ramirez (Los Angeles)
Most physically gifted SS, having a solid year for LA
OF- Carlos Gomez (Milwaukee)
Break out season for Gomez, hitting .310 with 32 XBH
OF- Justin Upton (Atlanta)
14 HR and 121 TB make Upton one of the NL's biggest threats
OF- Michael Morse (San Francisco)
A rebound season for Morse in his new home, driven in 42 in 65 games.
Pitchers
RHP- Julio Teheran (Atlanta)
Young stud having a break out season for ATL, 2.41 ERA
RHP- Tim Hudson (San Francisco)
Fountain of youth in the Bay Area for Hudson, 6-2, 1.97 ERA
RHP- Adam Wainwright (St.Louis)
Consistent NL elite, 0.93 WHIP in over 100 innings
RHP- Jason Hammel (Chicago)
Best pitcher on a terrible team, 0.98 WHIP, almost a K per IP
LHP- Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco)
Young ace of NL's best team
RHP- Josh Beckett (Los Angeles)
No-hitter was no fluke, Beckett is back (2.35 ERA, 8.7 K/9)
RHP- Stephen Strasburg (Washington)
Electric arm having a bounce back year in D.C
RHP- Jonathan Papelbon (Philadelphia)
Since opening day, 14/14 SVS, 0.37 ERA
RHP- Huston Street (San Diego)
Having a great year on NL's worst team. 18/18 SVS
RHP- Francisco Rodriguez (Milwaukee)
Leads NL in Saves, 0.86 WHIP
RHP- Craig Kimbrel (Atlanta)
Most intimidating closer, 18 SVS, 1.82 ERA
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