My MLB All-Star Team

With the MLB All-Star voting winding down (little more than a week left), I feel enough of the season is in the books that I can now present my All-Star teams.

American League

C: Victor Martinez, Cle

All season Victor has been proving that he's at least the equal of last year's batting champ, Joe Mauer of the rival Twins. Martinez has been the most consistently excellent offensive weapon on one of the AL's top run-producing teams. His defense has also improved to the point where he's now just passibly below average, but at least no longer abhorrent.

1st: David Ortiz, Bos

"1st baseman," sure. But man, can he rake? Power numbers are down ("only" 13 HR's), but his average (.332) is higher than most could have imagined in the face of the extreme shift he must deal with. His talents as a hitter are really being exhibited; he's not just an Adam Dunn-type.

2nd: Placido Polanco, Det

Does he ever strike out? Apparentlt not very often (only 13 times so far). He's also yet to commit an error, has scored 49 runs and is hitting close to .340. That's the picture of an All-Star to me. This season, Polanco has finally been healthy enough to show that his prodigious hitting talents can hold up over a longer sample size.

SS: Orlando Cabrera, LAA

He's always been able to play defense, but now he's swinging the bat better than he has in a long time. He showed this type of offensive talent as far back as Montreal and it's finally translated into a situation where his name has hovered near the top of the AL batting list (.337). Still, Cabrera really is getting this spot because Jeter, Peralta, Guillen and Young are booting the ball all over their respective infields.

3rd: Alex Rodriguez, NY

His girly yelp in Toronto and his late-night shenanigans with his blonde bombshell shouldn't overshadow the fact the he carried the entire Yankees team during the month of April (hooray for Mr. April!). He's having his best year (73 RBI's!) since he arrived in New York as his defense has recovered and his swing looks down-right menacing. He deserves to be starting in 'Frisco.

OF: Carl Crawford, TB

Baseball pergutary in Tampa may very well be rough, but Crawford sure doesn't let it affect his game. He's been tearing it up on the basepaths as well as hitting for power and average (five more extra base hits than the comparable Grady Sizemore). He's a plus defender too.

OF: Magglio Ordonez, Det

There's just something about him that I don't like. It's not fair, so I won't let it keep me from putting the AL hitting leader (.383!) on this team. He's been the clutch bat for a Tigers offense that has had to bash its way to victories in spite of the pitching (mainly relief pitching) woes afflicting Detroit.

OF: Torii Hunter, Min

He's a joy to watch in the outfield. Great range, great arm and highlight-reel catch after highlight-reel catch to boot. The thing is, he's also been the bat (15 HR's and 56 RBI's) keeping the Twins in the Central race. Terrific year so far for Mr. Hunter.


National League

C: Russell Martin, LAD

Can't Jorge Posada or Jason Varitek play for the NL? I guess not. Martin will have to do. 11 SB's from a catcher!? Wow, I like it. He's an up-and-coming talent out in La La Land and he deserves to start behind the plate for the NL All-Stars.

1st: Prince Fielder, Mil

Woa! Sorry, I got distracted, The Prince of Plate just smacked another moon shot while I was typing this (in reality he's got 26 and counting). The way he's been crushing the ball this past month, he's got to start over the fast-heating-up Albert Pujols. Plus, Pujols is another guy I just don't like (unfairly or not).

2nd: Chase Utley, Phi

Last year was his year to get all the fan-fare, I guess. He's not being talked about too much outside of Philly this year. I guess his offense greatness is getting boring to some. Not me. Sure, he strikes out at a pretty decent rate, but look at that power (12 hrs and 56 RBI's) he has at second base! Utley out edges Hudson, Uggla and Phillips for this spot.

SS: Jose Reyes, NYM

Jose Reyes is so terrifying on the bases that he got Armando Benitez (yes I know it was Benitez, but still) to balk twice in an extra-innings game that he ended up blowing to the Mets. Armando was promply cut and Reyes' legend grew further. Reyes' transformation for OBS chump to champ has been so remarkable that he's got to be on this team even with Jimmy Rollins, Edgar Renteria and Hanley Ramirez in the same league (J.J. Hardy is proving that he never deserved to be in that group of NL shortstops). SI had an article on "stars of the future" a few years back and Reyes and LeBron were both in it. They've sure lived up to the hype, huh?

3rd: Miguel Cabrera, Fla

This time the Marlin beats the Met, as Cabrera is having a better year than David Wright and thus makes up for Reyes snatching away the SS spot from Hanley Ramirez. His defense is pitiful (just put him back in the outfield and be done with it, Florida), but he can hit with anyone in baseball.

OF: Matt Holliday, Col

I though those humidors were supposed to tone down Coors field? Well maybe they have, but don't look to Holliday as any kind of proof. The NL batting leader (.366!) is finally getting some publicity and will probably move into the top three in the NL. I've already got him there. The surprising Rockies could get even better once Garrett Atkins wakes up (he's already begun to somewhat so beware).

OF: Eric Byrnes, Ari

"Byrnes!?," you say. Yep, Byrnes. I say screw it. I don't want streaky Carlos Lee or BALCO Barry taking this spot, I'm giving it to Eric Byrnes. I love the way he plays the game: balls to the wall. He always taken away a ton of hits in the outfield at the expense of his body. Now, he's finally the one inflicting some pain. He steal bases (14), hits for average (.318), hits for some surprising power (11 HR's) and most importantly he's been the D-Backs' most consistent (you'd have to go back to April to find the last time he posted back to back O-fers) spark at the top of their young line-up.

OF: Ken Griffey Jr., Cin

He's 40 and the Reds suck, but the 'Ole Kid keeps putting up numbers (19 HR's and almost as many walks and strike outs). Griffey should start in SF to show Bonds fans how the game should be played: with a prodigious bat as well as a clean smile.

-MP

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