By Andrew Lipsett
The MLB All-Star Game, despite being the only remaining interesting All-Star Game among the 4 major sports, is a fairly exceptional excercise in uselessness. The fan voting tends to be more of a popularity contest, and even the revamped, Commissioner-controlled reserve selection is just a band-aid for a large wound. Nevertheless, one thing the All-Star Game does do is allow bloggers like me to share their ballots with the rest of you, whether you care or not. So, that’s precisely what I’m about to do. The AL squad will be today, and the NL on Saturday. As always, I’m sure you’ll tell me if you think I’m wrong.
American League
C: Joe Mauer
When the Twins took Mauer over Mark Prior with the first pick of the 2001 draft, most thought they went down the list a bit to save some cash. Well, that might be true, but Mauer is proving that he deserved the top spot with his 2006 contest; the current MLB Batting Average Leader, Mauer has also gotten on base at a .447 clip while vastly improving his power (.528 SLG, 5 HR). His defense is excellent, his hitting is becoming truly outstanding, and he’s just 23 – very very young for a catcher. He could be one of the true greats of the position, and this certainly looks like his first great year.
Runners-up: Ramon Hernandez, Jorge Posada, Victor Martinez
Current leader: Jason Varitek
1B: Travis Hafner
There might not be a tougher position in the AL, but Hafner – on the ballot for the same reason David Ortiz and Jim Thome are, an NL park – gets the nod for continuing his exceptional rise to the top of the MLB talent pool. Hafner got hot right out of the gate, and hasn’t really slowed down; his 1.063 OPS is the third-best in the game, and his .450 OBP is second. With 19 homers, 14 doubles, and a solid .614 SLG, Hafner emerges from a crowded field to stake his claim at first.
Runners-up: Jim Thome, Jason Giambi, David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Paul Konerko
Current leader: David Ortiz
Second Base: Jose Lopez
If 1st base is tough because of the sheer amount of talent, 2nd base is tough for the opposite reason; there are few real standouts at the position in the AL. No AL 2B has an OPS over 800, though several are clumped just below it. There’s a case for most; Brian Roberts has the best OBP of the bunch (.379), while Jose Lopez of Seattle leads in both SLG (.470) and HR (9). Robinson Cano of the Yankees has the best BA (.323), but has walked just 9 times on the season. Overall, I’ll give the edge to Lopez; though he gets on base less than desired, his power has been incredibly valuable, as has his durability – he leads AL 2B in AB’s.
Runners-up: Brian Roberts, Robinson Cano
Current leader: Robinson Cano
Third Base: Mike Lowell
Third is, appropriately, a 3-man race in the AL. The Hot Corner has been especially hot in the East: Alex Rodriguez, Troy Glaus, and Mike Lowell have each been excellent. Rodriguez has been below his typical production, Lowell has bounced back from a hard season, and Glaus has put up his normal numbers. Glaus has certainly been the power threat in the bunch: his .551 SLG and 20 HR both lead AL 3B’s. A-Rod, on the other hand, holds a slim lead in OPS at .909 (Glaus’s is an even .900) and OBP (.395). Lowell is the wild card here; his offensive production has been just slightly below the other two, while his defense has been a revelation at Fenway. I find it virtually impossible to decide between these three, so I’m going to give it to the home team.
Runners-up: Alex Rodriguez, Troy Glaus, Eric Chavez
Current leader: Alex Rodriguez
Shortstop: Derek Jeter
Sorry, sports fans. Say whatever you want about Jeter, but he deserves it this time. With an .432 OBP that blows the competition out of the water (Tejada has the next best, at .380) and a solid power stroke on the season, the Yankees SS has been the best shortstop in the game this year, especially given his role as a table-setter in the impressive Yankee lineup. But don’t make me say anything else about this.
Runners-up: Miguel Tejada, Carlos Guillen, Michael Young
Outfielders: Jermaine Dye, Vernon Wells, Manny Ramirez
You have no idea how hard it was for me to leave Alex Rios off this list. He genuinely deserves to be here, but in the end, there was simply no place to put him. With Jermaine Dye quietly emerging as the league’s most dangerous offensive OF, and Vernon Wells having the breakout year that everyone has predicted for him for two seasons, Manny being Manny means that Rios is a bench player in the Summer Classic. Dye has been a revelation in 2006; with a 1.041 OPS and an AL-best .644 SLG, Dye’s 20 HR and .397 OBP combine to make him far and away the best OF in the AL… and quite possibly the best overall offensive player in the league this season. While Wells and Ramirez have both been excellent, Dye is having an MVP season.
Runners-up: Alex Rios, Nick Swisher, Ichiro Suzuki, Jonny Gomes, Gary Matthews, Grady Sizemore, Trot Nixon
Current leaders: Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez, Ichiro Suzuki
