What the National League All-Star Team Should Look Like

Image courtesy of mypinstripes.blogspot.com

So, it’s about that time of year where we bicker and argue about who should or shouldn’t represent their league in the All-Star Game. The debates surrounding who should play in the game are almost as American as baseball itself.

 

When I wrote my season preview  for the National League, I made the claim that they were now the dominant league. And while a few teams have disappointed so far, they seem to clearly be the better league. Their All-Star lineup will reflect that.

 

So, without further ado, here is what the All-Star Game lineup should look like. Part one covered the American League. Here’s part two, covering the National League.

 

Positions were determined by the official MLB All Star ballot. All stats are courtesy of Baseball Reference and Fangraphs and as of July 7.

 

First Base: Joey Votto .322/.433/.515, 15 home runs, 3.8 WAR

Votto’s turning out yet another fantastic season. After an injury derailed his MVP-level campaign last year, he’s come back nearly as strong. He isn’t hitting for as many doubles as usual but his home run rate is up from the last two seasons and he’s leading the league in walks and on-base percentage. There are a lot of great hitters in the game right now but no one makes outs less often than Votto.

Reserves: Paul Goldschmidt, Allen Craig

 

Second Base: Matt Carpenter .319/.391/.491, 25 doubles, 3.8 WAR

Carpenter, along with the rest of the St. Louis infield, has made the transition into the post-Pujols era quite smooth for the Cardinals. He hits for contact, often for extra bases, and plays solid defense. The season he’s having is all you can ask for from a second baseman.

Reserves: Brandon Phillips, Marco Scutaro

 

Shortstop: Jean Segura .321/.354/.490, 11 home runs, 26 steals

The speedster from San Juan came out of nowhere this year to become one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in baseball. He hits for contact, has some pop and steals like crazy. Segura came over to Milwaukee from Los Angeles in last year’s Zach Greinke trade. It’s beginning to seem that trade was a steal for the Brewers.

Reserves: Troy Tulowitzki, Everth Cabrera

 

Third Base: David Wright .304/.393/.519, 13 home runs, 14 steals 4.7 WAR

The fact that there was even some question to whether Wright should start the game is a joke. Wright is a five-tool guy playing at the peak of his powers. If the season ended today, he’d very likely win his first MVP. There are very few players in the league with as solid an all-around game as Wright. It’s just too bad he’s not a part of a better organization.

Reserves: Pedro Alvarez, David Freese

 

Catcher: Yadier Molina .346/.388/.490, 3.6 WAR

If Wright isn’t the favorite for MVP, it has to be Molina. His numbers are mind-boggling. He’s a 30-year old catcher who has been hovering around a .350 batting average all season. Once upon a time you’d never see a catcher challenging for a batting title. But now it’s become almost commonplace thanks to guys like Molina and Joe Mauer.

Reserves: Buster Posey, Jon Lucroy

 

Outfield: Carlos Gonzalez .303/.369/.622, 24 home runs, 15 steals, 4.3 WAR

Over the past four seasons, CarGo has quietly been one of the best hitters in baseball. Perhaps it’s because his brilliance is often confined among the Rocky Mountains, but Gonzalez rarely receives his proper due as one of the game’s best sluggers. Maybe if the Rockies are able to continue to compete in the NL West people will realize what a special player he is.

 

Outfield: Andrew McCutchen .301/.372/.467, 18 steals, 4.3 WAR

While McCutchen’s home run rate has dropped this year, he’s still hitting, getting on base and playing defense at an elite level. He’s continued to improve as a five-tool player and, incredibly, the face of the franchise that has the best record in baseball going into the All-Star break.

 

Outfield: Starling Marte .294/.345/.460, 27 steals, 1.1 DWAR, 3.7 WAR

That’s right. There are two Pirates outfielders deserving of an All-Star game start. The World is not ending, I just checked. Marte isn’t much of a power hitter and isn’t exactly Pete Rose either. But he gets on a decent amount, he’s a wild card on the base paths and he’s one of the league’s best fielding outfielders. Marte has been one of the driving forces in turning the Pirates offense from totally useful to pretty competent this season.

Reserves: Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Shin Soo Choo, Carlos Gomez

 

Pitcher: Matt Harvey: 7-2, 2.27 ERA, .911 WHIP, 141 Strikeouts, 27 Walks

Just over a month into his rookie season, Harvey was the subject of a Sports Illustrated cover that called him “the Dark Knight of Gotham.” The title fit. And just like the real Batman, Harvey is constantly let down by those around him. Week in and week out he gives the Mets an incredible seven or so innings only to earn a no-decision. The 24-year old already has more of those than wins. The All-Star game will provide him with a unique experience: a chance to play with an offense capable of scoring more than three runs.

Reserves: Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Adam Wainwright

 (I understand there will be 10+ pitchers but these are the ones I think have a case to start the game.)

Stay hungry, my friends.