Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2010 17:48:02 GMT -5
AL All Star Predictions
Starters:
Catcher - Joe Mauer (Twins)
Why: Mauer is a no brainer here. He leads all American League catchers in every important category including a 34.9 VORP which ranks second in the AL overall. The home runs (11) and RBI (44) haven't really been where they should, but everything else has. He's in the discussion for first half MVP.
Reserves: Brian McCann (Mariners)
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First Base - Kendry Morales (Angels)
Why: There's a ton of talent at first base in the AL, but Morales has been on a tear in the first half. On pace for 42 home runs and 162 RBI, he's been a step ahead of the pack which includes Miguel Cabrera, Lance Berkman, and Mark Teixeira.
Reserves: Prince Fielder (Mariners), Lance Berkman (Red Sox), Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)
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Second Base - Brian Roberts (Orioles)
Why: Hudson or Kinsler would easily be here if they hadn't missed games due to injury, but that's not to say Roberts hasn't had an All-Star worthy first half. He has easily been the best hitter in the O's lineup posting a line of .301/.384/.460, very solid for a second baseman.
Reserves: Ian Kinsler (Rangers)
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Third Base - Evan Longoria (Rays}
Why: The early front runner for MVP, Longoria has been as good as advertised. He leads the AL in OPS, VORP, XBH, ISO, 3B, and leads 3B in nearly every category. He has 20 home runs and 71 RBI overall, but he's been a terror for left handed pitchers, putting up 10 home runs and a 1.232 OPS in 80 at bats. Longoria is the biggest reason the Rays are in contention.
Reserves: Aramis Ramirez (Blue Jays)
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Shortstop - Derek Jeter (Yankees)
Why: If his 42 game hit streak doesn't get him here by itself, the rest of his numbers sure will. On the league's best team, Jeter sets the table as well as any top of the order hitter. His defense has been awful, but he makes up for that with 69 runs scored and 49 driven in. If he can pick up a few extra stolen bases in the second half, Jeter could be a 30-30 guy.
Reserves: Erick Aybar (Angels), Jack Wilson (Mariners)
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Left Field - Carl Crawford (Rays)
Why: Crawford leads all left fielders in VORP (31.7), runs (70), XBH (38), TB (162) and is in the top 3 in most other categories. He's on pace for a robust 70 stolen bases and 140 runs scored, and has been showing an unusual amount of pop, with 10 home runs. As the lead off hitter for the best offensive team in the AL, Crawford has to be here.
Reserves: Jason Kubel (Twins), Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)
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Center Field - Curtis Granderson (Yankees)
Why: The 18 home runs and 64 RBI speak for themselves. He's clearly been the best CF in the AL, and the fact that he bats 7th in the Yankees lineup is sick. His .267 average is mediocre, but who's really complaining with the numbers he's putting up? Oh, he's also a very good defensive outfielder as well. What doesn't this guy do?
Reserves: Rajai Davis (Athletics)
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Right Field - Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners)
Why: In addition to putting up a 11.9 UZR in right field, Ichiro is having a typical Ichiro season. Solid average (.323), lots of runs (60) and plenty of stolen bases (22). Truth be told, if Guerrero or Scott had played more RF this season, they would be here instead. But still, Ichiro has been very solid for a great Mariner club.
Reserves: Nelson Cruz (Rangers)
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Designated Hitter - Adam Lind (Rays)
Why: Lind has been the protection for Longoria in the Rays lineup so far this season. Hitting in the cleanup spot, he's having a very nice season with 19 home runs and 53 RBI. Though he's struggled against lefties, he's been lights out in close/late situations, hitting .356 with 5 home runs in 59 at bats. The Rays will need Lind's clutch hitting to continue if they plan on taking the wild card.
Reserves: Vladimir Guerrero (Rangers)
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*Note - I didn't go team by team to see who their all star should be. Instead, I just took hitters based purely on performance.
Starters:
Catcher - Joe Mauer (Twins)
Why: Mauer is a no brainer here. He leads all American League catchers in every important category including a 34.9 VORP which ranks second in the AL overall. The home runs (11) and RBI (44) haven't really been where they should, but everything else has. He's in the discussion for first half MVP.
Reserves: Brian McCann (Mariners)
---
First Base - Kendry Morales (Angels)
Why: There's a ton of talent at first base in the AL, but Morales has been on a tear in the first half. On pace for 42 home runs and 162 RBI, he's been a step ahead of the pack which includes Miguel Cabrera, Lance Berkman, and Mark Teixeira.
Reserves: Prince Fielder (Mariners), Lance Berkman (Red Sox), Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)
---
Second Base - Brian Roberts (Orioles)
Why: Hudson or Kinsler would easily be here if they hadn't missed games due to injury, but that's not to say Roberts hasn't had an All-Star worthy first half. He has easily been the best hitter in the O's lineup posting a line of .301/.384/.460, very solid for a second baseman.
Reserves: Ian Kinsler (Rangers)
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Third Base - Evan Longoria (Rays}
Why: The early front runner for MVP, Longoria has been as good as advertised. He leads the AL in OPS, VORP, XBH, ISO, 3B, and leads 3B in nearly every category. He has 20 home runs and 71 RBI overall, but he's been a terror for left handed pitchers, putting up 10 home runs and a 1.232 OPS in 80 at bats. Longoria is the biggest reason the Rays are in contention.
Reserves: Aramis Ramirez (Blue Jays)
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Shortstop - Derek Jeter (Yankees)
Why: If his 42 game hit streak doesn't get him here by itself, the rest of his numbers sure will. On the league's best team, Jeter sets the table as well as any top of the order hitter. His defense has been awful, but he makes up for that with 69 runs scored and 49 driven in. If he can pick up a few extra stolen bases in the second half, Jeter could be a 30-30 guy.
Reserves: Erick Aybar (Angels), Jack Wilson (Mariners)
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Left Field - Carl Crawford (Rays)
Why: Crawford leads all left fielders in VORP (31.7), runs (70), XBH (38), TB (162) and is in the top 3 in most other categories. He's on pace for a robust 70 stolen bases and 140 runs scored, and has been showing an unusual amount of pop, with 10 home runs. As the lead off hitter for the best offensive team in the AL, Crawford has to be here.
Reserves: Jason Kubel (Twins), Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)
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Center Field - Curtis Granderson (Yankees)
Why: The 18 home runs and 64 RBI speak for themselves. He's clearly been the best CF in the AL, and the fact that he bats 7th in the Yankees lineup is sick. His .267 average is mediocre, but who's really complaining with the numbers he's putting up? Oh, he's also a very good defensive outfielder as well. What doesn't this guy do?
Reserves: Rajai Davis (Athletics)
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Right Field - Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners)
Why: In addition to putting up a 11.9 UZR in right field, Ichiro is having a typical Ichiro season. Solid average (.323), lots of runs (60) and plenty of stolen bases (22). Truth be told, if Guerrero or Scott had played more RF this season, they would be here instead. But still, Ichiro has been very solid for a great Mariner club.
Reserves: Nelson Cruz (Rangers)
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Designated Hitter - Adam Lind (Rays)
Why: Lind has been the protection for Longoria in the Rays lineup so far this season. Hitting in the cleanup spot, he's having a very nice season with 19 home runs and 53 RBI. Though he's struggled against lefties, he's been lights out in close/late situations, hitting .356 with 5 home runs in 59 at bats. The Rays will need Lind's clutch hitting to continue if they plan on taking the wild card.
Reserves: Vladimir Guerrero (Rangers)
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*Note - I didn't go team by team to see who their all star should be. Instead, I just took hitters based purely on performance.