Kuzul

This year has been an eerie year in baseball in terms of stars. In the previous years, deserving players were clear cut and obvious stand-outs. This year, at a plethora of positions, it’s not an easy decision. Here’s who should be the 2010 All-Stars, following the 34 players per league (I included four extra players due to new rules regulating pitching and inevitable injuries) and (at least) one player per team rules resulting in some snubs.

American League

Catcher: Victor Martinez (Boston Red Sox) .291 BA/9 HR/37 RBI/.843 OPS
There’s no clear-cut All-Star candidate at this position. V-Mart leads AL catchers in OPS and is second in RBI.

Backups: John Buck (Toronto Blue Jays) .271 BA/12 HR/38 RBI/.841 OPS

Snubs: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins) .304 BA/3 HR/31 RBI/.818 OPS

Who will start: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)

First Base: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) .328 BA/19 HR/60 RBI/1.041 OPS
First base, as usual, is stacked but Cabrera is obviously the best candidate to start, leading the AL in home runs and RBI, and is a serious triple crown threat.

Backups: Justin Morneau (Minnestoa Twins) .340 BA/15 HR/47 RBI/1.070 OPS
Kevin Youkilis (Boston Red Sox) .312 BA/14 HR/47 RBI/1.026 OPS

Snubs: Paul Konerko (Chicago White Sox) .296 BA/17 HR/51 RBI/.970 OPS
Billy Butler (Kansas City Royals) .330 BA/7 HR/37 RBI/.874 OPS

Who will start: Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins)

Second Base: Robinson Cano (New York Yankees) .365 BA/14 HR/49 RBI/1.016 OPS
This is the most obvious, clear-cut choice. Cano leads AL second basemen in batting average, home runs, RBI, and OPS.

Backups: Ty Wigginton (Baltimore Orioles) .274 BA/13 HR/39 RBI/.848 OPS

Snubs: None

Who will start: Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)

Shortstop: Derek Jeter (New York Yankees) .280 BA/8 HR/39 RBI/.756 OPS
This is perhaps the weakest position in the American League, but Derek Jeter is the strongest, leading AL shortstops in RBI and second in batting average.

Backups: Alex Gonzalez (Toronto Blue Jays) .269 BA/13 HR/38 RBI/.802 OPS

Snubs: None

Who will start: Derek Jeter (New York Yankees)

Third Base: Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays) .304 BA/12 HR/52 RBI/.922 OPS
Longoria is another clear-cut choice, leading AL third basemen in RBI, home runs, and OPS.

Backups: Adrian Beltre (Boston Red Sox) .336 BA/10 HR/48 RBI/.899 OPS
Michael Young (Texas Rangers) .309 BA/8 HR/44 RBI/.833 OPS

Snubs: None

Who will start: Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays)

Designated Hitter: Vladimir Guerrero (Texas Rangers) .327 BA/15 HR/57 RBI/.920 OPS
There is only one designated hitter who deserves to go to Anaheim and that’s Vladimir Guerrero, leading all major stats for DHs.

Backups: None

Snubs: None

Who will start: Vladimir Guerrero (Texas Rangers)

Outfield:
Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers) .337 BA/16 HR/52 RBI/.981 OPS
Magglio Ordonez (Detroit Tigers) .333 BA/9 HR/47 RBI/.930 OPS
Torii Hunter (Los Angeles Angels) .293 BA/12 HR/50 RBI/.896 OPS

Hamilton actually deserves to go this year, leading AL outfielders in RBI, OPS, and batting average. A rejuvenated Ordonez should get the nod being third in RBI, OPS, and batting average, and Hunter has been scorching recently, being second in RBI. Nelson Cruz should have been a starter but injuries have reduced his playing time.

Backups: Alex Rios (Chicago White Sox) .317 BA/13 HR/37 RBI/.936 OPS
Brennan Boesch (Detroit Tigers) .337 BA/10 HR/36 RBI/1.001 OPS
Nick Swisher (New York Yankees) .296 BA/11 HR/44 RBI/.888 OPS
David DeJesus (Kansas City Royals) .323 BA/5 HR/31 RBI/.880 OPS
Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays) .307 BA/7 HR/38 RBI/.860 OPS
Delmon Young (Minnesota Twins) .306 BA/8 HR/43 RBI/.846 OPS

Snubs: Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners) .336 BA/3 HR/20 RBI/.826 OPS
Vernon Wells (Toronto Blue Jays) .274 BA/16 HR/42 RBI/.879 OPS

Who will start: Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers), Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays), Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners)

Starting Pitcher: David Price (Tampa Bay Rays) 10-3, 2.45 ERA, 73 Ks, 1.23 WHIP, 91.2 IP

Price is leading the American League in two of the three triple crown categories and deserves to start as of now.

Backups: Clay Buchholz (Boston Red Sox) 10-4, 2.47 ERA, 62 Ks, 1.24 WHIP, 91.0 IP
Andy Pettitte (New York Yankees) 8-2, 2.47 ERA, 62 Ks, 1.11 WHIP, 87.1 IP
Cliff Lee (Seattle Mariners) 5-3, 2.55 ERA, 67 Ks, 0.90 WHIP, 77.2 IP
Jeff Niemann (Tampa Bay Rays) 6-1, 2.84 ERA, 62 Ks, 1.07 WHIP, 92.0 IP
Jason Vargas (Seattle Mariners) 5-2, 2.88 ERA, 53 Ks, 1.11 WHIP, 84.1 IP
Jered Weaver (Los Angeles Angels) 7-3, 3.04 ERA, 107 Ks, 1.11 WHIP, 94. IP
Francisco Liriano (Minnesota Twins) 6-4, 2.98 ERA, 93 Ks, 1.20 WHIP, 87.2 IP
Jon Lester (Boston Red Sox) 8-2, 3.13 ERA, 96 Ks, 1.15 WHIP, 92.0 IP
Phil Hughes (New York Yankees) 10-1, 3.17 ERA, 78 Ks, 1.13 WHIP, 82.1 IP
Colby Lewis (Texas Rangers) 7-4, 3.07 ERA, 90 Ks, 1.02 WHIP, 93.2 IP
Fausto Carmona (Cleveland Indians) 6-5, 3.31 ERA, 52 Ks, 1.22 WHIP, 92.1 IP

Snubs: Ricky Romero (Toronto Blue Jays) 6-3, 3.08 ERA, 96 Ks, 1.22 WHIP, 96.1 IP
John Danks (Chicago White Sox) 6-5, 3.18 ERA, 67 Ks, 1.19 WHIP, 85.0 IP
Shaun Marcum (Toronto Blue Jays) 6-3, 3.24 ERA, 75 Ks, 1.14 WHIP, 97.1 IP
Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners) 5-5, 3.39 ERA, 97 Ks, 1.23 WHIP, 103.2 IP

Who will start: Clay Buchholz (Boston Red Sox)

Closer: Jose Valverde (Detroit Tigers) 16/17 saves, 0.59 ERA, 0.73 WHIP
Valverde is having a wonderful season for the Tigers, and his ERA is almost half that of the next best closer in the AL.

Backups: Rafael Soriano (Tampa Bay Rays) 16/17 saves, 1.40 ERA, 0.78 WHIP
Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees) 16/17 saves, 1.11 ERA, 0.58 WHIP
Andrew Bailey (Oakland Athletics) 13/16 saves, 1.86 ERA, 0.97 WHIP

Snubs: Neftali Feliz (Texas Rangers) 19/21 saves, 2.87 ERA, 0.96 WHIP
Jon Rauch (Minnesota Twins) 17/20 saves, 2.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
Jonathan Papelbon (Boston Red Sox) 16/17 saves, 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP

Who will close: Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)

AL Should-Be All-Star Team Breakdown

National League:

Catcher: Miguel Olivo (Colorado Rockies) .302 BA/9 HR/30 RBI/.897 OPS
Catcher is a weak position in the National League. Olivo leads NL catchers in OPS and RBI, and is second in batting average.

Backups: Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves) .258 BA/7 HR/29 RBI/.796 OPS

Snubs: None

Who will start: Yadier Molina (St. Louis Cardinals) .245 BA/2 HR/29 RBI/.640 OPS

First Base: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals) .306 BA/15 HR/50 RBI/.974 OPS
Like in the American League, first base in the National League is stacked. Pujols leads NL first basemen in OPS, second in home runs, and third in RBI, and fourth in batting average.

Backups/People who could DH:
Adrian Gonzalez (San Diego Padres) .311 BA/15 HR/47 RBI/.961 OPS
Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies) .290 BA/14 HR/51 RBI/.850 OPS
Troy Glaus (Atlanta Braves) .280 BA/14 HR/55 RBI/.874 OPS
Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds) .311 BA/14 HR/43 RBI/.955 OPS

Snubs: Adam Dunn (Washington Nationals) .275 BA/16 HR/40 RBI/.943 OPS
Aubrey Huff (San Francisco Giants) .307 BA/12 HR/37 RBI/.949 OPS

Who will start: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)

Second Base: Martin Prado (Atlanta Braves) .339 BA/6 HR/30 RBI/.849 OPS
Second base isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, and Prado is clearly deserving to start, leading NL second basemen in batting average, and third in OPS.

Backups: Kelly Johnson (Arizona Diamondbacks) .265 BA/13 HR/34 RBI/.874 OPS

Snubs: None

Who will start: Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies) .267 BA/11 HR/33 RBI/.853 OPS

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies) .306 BA/9 HR/34 RBI/.877 OPS
Any of the top three candidates could start as it’s that close of a race at shortstop. Tulowitzki leads NL shortstops in batting average and OPS.

Backups: Hanley Ramirez (Florida Marlins) .286 BA/11 HR/40 RBI/.862 OPS

Snubs: Juan Uribe (San Francisco Giants) .279 BA/11 HR/43 RBI/.834 OPS

Who will start: Hanley Ramirez (Florida Marlins)

Third Base: Scott Rolen (Cincinnati Reds) .299 BA/15 HR/46 RBI/.932 OPS
Rolen is the reason the Reds are in contention. He leas NL third basemen in OPS, second in home runs, third in batting average, and fourth in RBI.

Backups: David Wright (New York Mets) .283 BA/12 HR/53 RBI/.877 OPS

Snubs: Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals) .283 BA/13 HR/36 RBI/.905 OPS
Casey McGehee (Milwaukee Brewers) .272 BA/11 HR/47 RBI/.796 OPS

Who will start: David Wright (New York Mets)

Outfield:
Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers) .304 BA/10 HR/45 RBI/.861 OPS
Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers) .318 BA/12 HR/43 RBI/.964 OPS
Corey Hart (Milwaukee Brewers) .269 OPS/18 HR/53 RBI/.925 OPS
Braun is fourth in the National League among outfielders in batting average and RBI. Ethier leads NL outfielders in OPS, second in batting average, and fourth in home runs. Hart leads NL outfielders in home runs, RBI, and third in OPS.

Backups: Jonny Gomes (Cincinnati Reds) .293 BA/9 HR/49 RBI/.858 OPS
Marlon Byrd (Chicago Cubs) .320 BA/9 HR/34 RBI/.882 OPS
Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates) .315 BA/7 HR/22 RBI/.870 OPS
Chris Young (Arizona Diamondbacks) .278 BA/12 HR/49 RBI/.824 OPS
Jayson Werth (Philadelphia Phillies) .278 BA/12 HR/43 RBI/.904 OPS

Snubs: Garrett Jones (Pittsburgh Pirates) .282 BA/10 HR/44 RBI/.820 OPS
Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves) .264 BA/11 HR/44 RBI/.864 OPS
Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado Rockies) .295 BA/10 HR/42 RBI/.805 OPS
Colby Rasmus (St. Louis Cardinals) .276 BA/13 HR/34 RBI/.930 OPS
Josh Willingham (Washington Nationals) .265 BA/12 HR/40 RBI/.883 OPS
Ryan Ludwick (St. Louis Cardinals) .276 BA/11 HR/41 RBI/.832 OPS

Who will start: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers), Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves), Jayson Werth (Philadelphia Phillies)

Starting Pitcher: Ubaldo Jimenez (Colorado Rockies) 13-1, 1.15 ERA, 88 Ks, 1.00 WHIP, 101.1 IP
The most obvious choice at any position in baseball. Jimenez has been dominating the league and making history to this point.

Backups: Josh Johnson (Florida Marlins) 8-2, 1.80 ERA, 98 Ks, 0.98 WHIP, 100.0 IP
Matt Cain (San Francisco Giants) 6-5, 2.16 ERA, 68 Ks, 1.02 WHIP, 100.0 IP
Jaime Garcia (St. Louis Cardinals) 6-3, 1.59 ERA, 66 Ks, 1.24 WHIP, 79.1 IP
Adam Wainwright (St. Louis Cardinals) 10-4, 2.23 ERA, 101 Ks, 1.00 WHIP, 109.0 IP
Tim Hudson (Atlanta Braves) 7-2, 2.34 ERA, 41 Ks, 1.16 WHIP, 92.1 IP
Roy Halladay (Philadelphia Phillies) 8-6, 2.43 ERA, 98 Ks, 1.08 WHIP, 115.0 IP
Yovani Gallardo (Milwaukee Brewers) 6-3, 2.59 ERA, 103 Ks, 1.28 WHIP, 94.0 IP
Livan Hernandez (Washington Nationals) 6-4, 2.82 ERA, 40 Ks, 1.24 WHIP, 92.2 IP
Mike Pelfrey (New York Mets) 9-2, 2.69 ERA, 61 Ks, 1.24 WHIP, 93.2 IP
Chris Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals) 8-1, 2.83 ERA, 86 Ks, 1.15 WHIP, 101.2 IP
Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) 5-8, 3.12 ERA, 89 Ks, 1.08 WHIP, 92.1 IP

Snubs: Mike Leake (Cincinnati Reds) 5-1, 2.92 ERA, 58 Ks, 1.41 WHIP, 89.1 IP
Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers) 7-3, 2.96 ERA, 97 Ks, 1.28 WHIP, 85.0 IP
Jonathan Sanchez (San Francisco Giants) 5-5, 2.90 ERA, 82 Ks, 1.21 WHIP, 83.2 IP
Carlos Silva (Chicago Cubs) 8-2, 3.01 ERA, 57 Ks, 1.08 WHIP, 80.2 IP
Clayton Richard (San Diego Padres) 4-4, 2.93 ERA, 66 Ks, 1.29 WHIP, 89.0 IP
Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants) 7-2, 3.11 ERA, 106 Ks, 1.22 WHIP, 92.2 IP
Mat Latos (San Diego Padres) 7-4, 3.19 ERA, 71 Ks, 0.99 WHIP, 79.0 IP
Hiroki Kuroda (Los Angeles Dodgers) 6-5, 3.06 ERA, 70 Ks, 1.29 WHIP, 88.1 IP
Tommy Hanson (Atlanta Braves) 7-3, 3.38 ERA, 86 Ks, 1.22 WHIP, 82.2 IP
Barry Zito (San Francisco Giants) 7-3, 3.13 ERA, 63 Ks, 1.18 WHIP, 95.0 IP

Who will start: Ubaldo Jimenez (Colorado Rockies)

Closer: Brian Wilson (San Francisco Giants) 19/21 saves, 2.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Wilson is having another great year and has been a reliable closer for the Giants, with the second most saves in the NL.

Backups: Francisco Rodriguez (New York Mets) 16/19 saves, 2.25 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
Jonathan Broxton (Los Angeles Dodgers) 16/18 saves, 0.92 ERA, 0.95 WHIP

Snubs: Matt Capps (Washington Nationals) 21/25 saves, 3.06 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
Billy Wagner (Atlanta Braves) 14/16 saves, 1.23 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
Heath Bell (San Diego Padres) 17/20 saves, 2.22 ERA, 1.45 WHIP

Who will close: Jonathan Broxton (Los Angeles Dodgers)

NL Should-Be All-Star Team Breakdown

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