Editors Note – This piece was put together entirely by my great friend and ex season ticket partner (ex to the Rays, still have season tix with him to the Bucs) Daniel Edwards.
As I pondered which Rays would be in St. Louis on July 14, I decided to make my own projections according to the actual selection rules. I must admit, this proved to be more difficult than I originally anticipated. I now have a much greater appreciation for each Manger’s responsibility to fill the roster. Having only 7 selections to fulfill an obligation to ensure each team is represented as well filling up a roster to be effective in a potentially long game is easier said than done. With that being said, the selections have to be made and some deserving players will always be watching from home. My selections below deviate a bit from years past, lacking superstar veterans such as ARod, Chipper, Griffey Jr., Manny etc. But, I wanted this to represent the players that I felt have played the best baseball in the first half of 2009. After I finished I inevitably looked back at some of the players that didn’t make it and questioned how I could leave them off. With my apologies to a handful of guys I had to stick with my original picks.
I’m sure the actual selection will differ greatly from mine and that many people will disagree with them, but I encourage any debate over these selections. And yes, you can call me a homer, but I do have 4 Rays making the squad (including Zobrist). Although, I believe all of them will at least deserve consideration.
First a quick breakdown of the selection rules:
- 32 players per team
- Fan Voting – Determines the 8 position starters for each league
- Player/Manager Voting – Determines the first 8 pitchers (5 starters and 3 relievers) as well as one reserve at each position for each league
- All Star Managers – Select 7 players to fill the roster to 31 (At this time each team must be represented)
- 32nd Roster Spot – The Commissioners Office releases a list of 5 players from each league which allows fans to vote on the most deserving. Top vote getters from each league will earn the final roster spot
For the purposes of this exercise I will assume the current voting standings will remain the same as they are at the time of this posting. The stats are also current as of this posting.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Current Fan Voting Standings
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
C
Joe Mauer
MIN
Best hitting catcher in the game
1B
Mark Texiera
NYY
It’s either him or Youk
2B
Ian Kinsler
TEX
Pedroia is close but Kinsler deserves it
3B
Evan Longoria
TB
It may be a few years before he’s the starter again because of ARod
SS
Derek Jeter
NYY
The face of the Yankees
OF
Jason Bay
BOS
Having the best season of his career
OF
Ichiro Suzuki
SEA
Hitting .374
OF
Josh Hamilton
TEX
I think his performance in the 2008 HR Derby got him an automatic invitation
Pitchers – 5 Starts and 3 Relievers
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
SP
Zack Greinke
KC
Sub 2 ERA… Should be the starter
SP
Roy Halladay
TOR
Toronto’s hanging around because of him
SP
Felix Hernandex
SEA
The King is back
SP
Jered Weaver
LAA
Where would the Angels pitching staff be without him
SP
Kevin Millwood
TEX
Could be EJax but Millwood has been a horse this year
CL
Jonathan Papelbon
BOS
If he saves the game let’s just hope he keeps his clothes on
CL
Joe Nathan
MIN
1.52 ERA
CL
David Aardsma
SEA
1.53 ERA plus 45 K in 35.1 IP… Mariano will probably be here instead
Reserves – 1 at each position
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
C
Victor Martinez
CLE
Splits time b/w C & 1B but flat out rakes. Napoli or Posada could also make it, but I found too many other deserving players.
1B
Kevin Youkilis
BOS
Youk and Texiera could trade places
2B
Aaron Hill
TOR
19 HRs and 56 RBIs at 2B
3B
Brandon Inge
DET
He’s better than most think
SS
Jason Bartlett
TB
Homer pick? Maybe… But compare his stats versus other SS… He has a .965 OPS
OF
Torii Hunter
LAA
Hamilton’s 35 HRs at the old Yankee Stadium cost him the starting spot
OF
Carl Crawford
TB
Willie Mays Hayes
OF
Johnny Damon
NYY
As much as this pains me, he is having a hell of a year
Manager Selections
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
1B
Justin Morneau
MIN
Already has over 60 RBI
2B
Robinson Cano
NYY
Quietly having a great year
OF
Jemaine Dye
CHW
Even at 35 he’s putting up huge numbers
OF
Ben Zobrist
TB
Maddon may try to talk himself out of this one, then he will remember that the Zobrist has a 1.026 OPS
SP
Dallas Braden
OAK
It was either Dallas Braden or Dallas Braden from the A’s
SP
Edwin Jackson
DET
He deserves a spot and Maddon won’t let him down
MR
George Sherrill
BAL
It was either him or Jones from the Orioles and this way Maddon can pick Zobrist
Final Roster Spot – Selection in Red
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
1B
Miguel Cabrera
DET
He’s the new Manny
1B
Russell Branyan
SEA
It’s tough to leave him off… but you can’t have a team of 1B
SP
Cliff Lee
CLE
One of the only bright spots in Cleveland
MR
Mariano Rivera
NYY
It would be unfair to the other players have to the greatest closer ever and a Yankee in this category. In my scenario he is my pick to win. Most likely he is in Aardsma’s position
OF
Adam Jones
BAL
Could easily replace Sherrill
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Current Fan Voting Standings
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
C
Yadier Molina
STL
Should be McCann but the game is in St. Louis
1B
Albert Pujols
STL
Best hitter in the game
2B
Chase Utley
PHI
2B shouldn’t put up numbers like this
3B
David Wright
NYM
This will probably be his spot for years to come, but where is his HR power?
SS
Hanley Ramirez
FLA
Thank God the fans finally started paying attention. Rollins was winning up until recently. (Quick message to J-Roll, Thanks for killing my fantasy team)
OF
Raul Ibanez
PHI
Best season of his career
OF
Ryan Braun
MIL
OPS nearing 1
OF
Carlos Beltran
NYM
Beltran’s been good and deserves to be an All Star, but Hawpe should be starting
Pitchers – 5 Starts and 3 Relievers
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
SP
Dan Haren
ARI
If he starts like he should he can’t get the win… But he’s used to that
SP
Matt Cain
SF
Who would want to face this 1-2 combo in the playoffs?
SP
Tim Lincecum
SF
Who would want to face this 1-2 combo in the playoffs?
SP
Josh Johnson
FLA
He’s scary good
SP
Johan Santana
NYM
Stats are almost identical to Yovani Gallardo, but Gallardo’s name isn’t Johan
CL
Fancisco Rodriguez
NYM
Take a look at his stats
CL
Heath Bell
SDG
See above
CL
Ryan Franklin
STL
See above
Reserves – 1 at each position
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
C
Brian McCann
ATL
As mentioned above, he should be starting
1B
Prince Fielder
MIL
He’s better than his dad
2B
Orlando Hudson
LAD
I flipped between him and Freddy Sanchez a hundred times
3B
Pablo Sandoval
SF
Mark Reynolds will probably get this spot since he does have over 20 HR. But Sandoval has a higher OPS, and unlike Reynolds, he hasn’t struck out 100 times
SS
Miguel Tejada
HOU
Could be Tulowitzki, but Miguel is hitting nearly 70 points higher
OF
Brad Hawpe
COL
See Beltran
OF
Justin Upton
ARI
He should get the to All Star game before his brother
OF
Adam Dunn
WAS
Tough pick especially with his low BA, but nearly 20 HR and 60 BB. Zimmerman could make it if he doesn’t.
Manager Selections
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
1B
Adrian Gonzalez
SDG
He’s slowly going to become a household name
1B
Ryan Howard
PHI
Manuel will make sure his slugger tags along.
2B
Brandon Phillips
CIN
Tough call here on selecting a Red. Cueto and Cordero cold be here as well.
OF
Matt Kemp
LAD
Kemp, Billingsley or Broxton? More than one could make it, but in my scenario Duke and Lilly had to be picked
SP
Zach Duke
PIT
If Sanchez were to get picked above I’m not sure Duke would make it. But he deserves it.
SP
Ted Lilly
CHC
It was Lilly or Lee. There were some teams that had tough picks. But surprisingly the Cubs really don’t have anyone that deserved a spot. Lilly’s not a bad pitcher to take to St. Louis though
SP
Yovani Gallardo
MIL
I hope he makes it
Final Roster Spot – Selection in Red
Pos
Player
Team
Comment
1B
Todd Helton
COL
35 and still hitting above .300
3B
Mark Reynolds
ARI
When he doesn’t strike out he hits the ball hard
SP
Jonny Cueto
CIN
I think he wins. Should have Lilly’s spot
SP
Chad Billingsley
LAD
He’s having a great year
CL
Francisco Cordero
CIN
Cordero, Hoffman and Broxton – If they don’t make it at least one should be in the running for the final spot