The MLB All-Star game is just a few weeks away and there are several players who will deservedly go, and there are some players that should go, but won't.
Let's just imagine for 600 words or so that fans aren't voting and the teams will actually feature the best players. I won't be adhering to the "one per team" rule and I'll find a way to keep the entire AL infield from being all Yankees. I won't be able to find a spot for all of the top tier first baseman in the league, but I'll do my best.
Here is the AL fantasy All-Star team:
Catcher: Alex Avila, Detroit Tigers- Avila is a no-brainer here. He leads all american league catchers in batting average, RBIs,, doubles, triples, OBP, SLG, and OPS and is third in home runs. Avila has always been thought of as an offensive force behind the plate, but he has been one of Detroit's most consistent hitters and deserves to start the All-Star game.
First base: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox- Gonzalez is the Obvious choice here. He has been the best hitter on of the best teams in baseball. He leads the MLB in batting average, hits, and RBIs and plays excellent defense at first base for the Sox. Now that he's out of the cavernous Petco park, Gonzalez is sure the win the AL MVP award.
Second base: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees- Hopefully he's just one of two Yankees on this list. He leads AL second baseman in HRs and RBIs and he has really started to turn things on in the last few weeks.
Third base: Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers- Beltre has been good, not great in his first year with Texas, but he has been good enough to lead AL third baseman in hits and RBIs.
Shortstop: Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians- He leads AL shortstops in HRs, RBIs and is second in average and has 12 steals to go with that. He's a huge reason why the Indians have found themselves in first place and is an even bigger reason why the future of that franchise is bright.
Left field: Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals- Gordon has been a great story this year. The once first round pick and top prospect of the Royals' farm system is hitting like they had hoped when they drafted him. He's got 9 HRs, 43 RBIs, and a .287 average to lead all AL LF's in those categories.
Center field: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox- Ellsbury is back from injury and stealing bases like he always has. His 24 steals leads the AL and his .310 average leads AL center fielders. He's also showing some power with 8 HRs and 38 RBIs.
Right field: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays- Bautista has 22 home runs, 47 RBIs, and is hitting .325, there is no question that he has been the best right fielder in baseball this year. He's been slumping lately and has hit just two home runs this month, but is great pace to lead the AL in home runs.
Starting pitcher: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers- Verlander has one no-hitter, he almost threw a second and he's been the hottest pitcher in baseball over the last month. His 110 K's leads the AL and his 9 wins are tied for the most. He is showing that he no longer just throws, but he's developing into one of the best pitchers around.
Closer: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees- Mo is right where he belongs at the top of the dominant closers list. His 19 saves are second best in the AL and his 1.84 ERA is the best among closers as well.
Reserves: Paul Konerko, Dustin Pedroia, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Peralta, Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, Matt Joyce, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Jered Weaver, James Shields, Gio Gonzalez, Brandon League, Kyle Farnsworth
