NATIONAL LEAGUE
1B Yesterday's latest update made me happy. No way Pujols had warranted being the starting first baseman this season, and finally the voters agreed, putting Prince Fielder in the much-deserved top spot.So currently, who are the top vote-getters?
1. Prince Fielder, 2. Albert Pujols, 3. Nomar Garciaparra, 4. Derrek Lee, 5. Carlos Delgado
Who shouldn't be there?
Jesus, if there's one guy on here that's living off his performance in season's past, it's Nomar. One home run is good, if you're a backup second baseman, but not a starter at first. Meanwhile James Loney is stuck in the outfield, crashing into walls. Delgado is batting a paltry .229 right now but he's a Met. They could have Tim Bogar starting at first and he'd be in the top 5.
Who SHOULD be there?
Look, all hatred and bias aside, I do believe Pujols should be on the team, and if he doesn't win the starting job we know he definitely will be. But Prince Fielder has been outstanding at the plate so far this year. I'll refrain from displaying my Cub bias too much, but I do feel D-Lee deserves a spot on this team. It'll be interesting to see if LaRussa picks any Cubs at all to fill out his roster, and with Soriano looking like he'll be a starting outfielder, he won't have to. One guy that also deserves consideration is Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres, who was in a bit of a slump recently until he faced the Cubs. Also while he's not on the ballot, keep an eye on the Nationals' Dmitri Young, who could very well end up as their representative.
2B Here's a position where I blew nearly all my votes on The Riot as a write-in. This spot is pretty easy, as one guy has been head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, and he's gotten more than enough support from the voters to give him the starting job.So currently, who are the top vote-getters?
1. Chase Utley, 2. Jeff Kent, 3. Craig Biggio, 4. Rickie Weeks, 5. Jose Valentin
Who shouldn't be there?
Thank God Utley is on top, because the rest of that top 5 is a complete disaster. Kent and Biggio are both in the twilight of their careers and are playing as such. Weeks would be a decent selection if he could stay healthy, and actually hit. Jose Valentin should be happy that he's even on the ballot let alone in the top 5, or on a Major League starting roster for that matter.
Who SHOULD be there?
Well Utley obviously. But since I just trashed the other top four guys, who else? I don't know, maybe Brandon Phillips of Cincinnati. The Marlins' Dan Uggla is second among NL 2B with 40 RBI. Kelly Johnson of Atlanta and Orlando Hudson of Arizona have both had productive seasons thus far that should garner attention. Had he not spent so much time on the DL, I think a stronger case could have been made for Colorado's Kaz Matsui.
3B The NL hot corner is jammed pack with talent, so there's bound to be some guys getting the shaft here. A slew of injuries has weeded out some of the guys but this is still one of the more interesting positions to examine.So currently, who are the top vote-getters?
1. David Wright, 2. Miguel Cabrera, 3. Chipper Jones, 4. Aramis Ramirez, 5. Scott Rolen
Who shouldn't be there?
I really can't argue with the top 4. Aside from #1 and #2 needing to be switched around, they all deserve to be at the top. That brings us to our favorite Julia Stiles look-alike, Rolen. Scottie has battled injury this year and even when on the field has been far from his old self. I have a bad feeling that Rolen will somehow be one of LaRussa's homer picks, which is really too bad, because there are a bunch of third basemen that should be an All-Star over him.
Who SHOULD be there?
ESPN's favorite mancrush, David Wright should be there, but Miggy Cabrera deserves to be the starter. Cabrera currently leads all NL 3B in AVG, HR, and RBI. While they've both missed time with injuries, Chipper and A-Ram have both played well enough to possibly earn a spot. Looking beyond the top 5, there's Ryan Zimmerman, who could maybe eek in as the lone Washington Nationals rep.
SS My one All-Star wish this season is that David Eckstein NOT be on this team. You wonder why the NL gets their asses handed to them each year, it's because of ridiculous roster picks like him. At this point I'd take Cristian frickin' Guzman over Eckstein. You hear me LaRussa? Don't do it!So currently, who are the top vote-getters?
1. Jose Reyes, 2. J.J. Hardy, 3. Rafael Furcal, 4. Jimmy Rollins, 5. Edgar Renteria
Who shouldn't be there?
As much as it pains me to watch Cesar Izturis starting at SS for the Cubs, I'm kind of glad we didn't blow a bunch of money on Furcal, who isn't coming close to earning his fat paycheck in LA. No way should he be an All-Star. Hopefully a back injury will keep Eckstein out of consideration.
Who SHOULD be there?
Reyes starting is fine by me, but LaRussa better damn well have a spot for Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy. Oh and Tony, if you're having trouble picking another shortstop other than David Eckstein, here are some more choices for you to consider: Jimmy Rollins, Edgar Renteria, Hanley Ramirez, Cristian Guzm- nope I can't do it. I can't honestly consider Guzman All-Star worthy and live with myself. I would suspect one or two guys here will wind up on the Final Vote ballot.
C Cripes, I think I may just write-in Jody Davis several times and hope for the best here. I am glad to see Russell Martin got some love and pushed ahead of Paul Lo Duca however.So currently, who are the top vote-getters?
1. Russell Martin, 2. Paul Lo Duca, 3. Brian McCann, 4. Johnny Estrada, 5. Bengie Molina
Who shouldn't be there?
Eh, I really have no beef with any of the top 5. Any of the four behind Martin would be a suitable backup....
Who SHOULD be there?
....but if I had to pick one to be a reserve it'd be Bengie Molina. San Francisco, being this year's host, needs to have some more representation other than Bonds, and Molina has been hitting well this season. Right now, he's second among NL catchers in AVG, and third in RBI.
OF Well the NL OF pool certainly isn't shallow for All-Star talent. There are all sorts of guys to choose from that deserve to be there over a certain someone who's name rhymes with Schmarlos Schmeltran.So currently, who are the top vote-getters?
1. Carlos Beltran, 2. Ken Griffey, 3. Alfonso Soriano, 4. Barry Bonds, 5. Andruw Jones, 6. Carlos Lee, 7. Matt Holliday, 8. Luis Gonzalez, 9. Juan Pierre, 10. Moises Alou, 11. Jeff Francoeur, 12. Geoff Jenkins, 13. Andre Ethier, 14. Bill Hall, 15. Jason Bay
Who shouldn't be there?
Alright I'm gonna post a series of statlines. You try to pick out which one currently belongs to our leading vote-getter.
A) .306, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 13 SB
B) .270, 19 HR, 46 RBI, 7 SB
C) .265, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 9 SB
D) .320, 10 HR 38 RBI, 4 SB
E) .290, 14 HR, 31 RBI, 4 SB
So how many of you guessed C? If you did, you'd be correct. Does that look like someone who should be a starting outfielder for the NL? Didn't think so. Oh and if you're curious, A is Eric Byrnes, B is Adam Dunn, D is Aaron Rowand, and E is Barry Bonds.
Also as much as I hate to say it, Alfonso Soriano is a pretty weak choice for a starter as well. Luis Gonzalez in 8th is a joke, but is still a better choice than fellow Dodgers Juan Pierre and Andre Ethier.
Who SHOULD be there?
Griffey is the only starter I don't have an issue with. If I had to pick two others to put along with him, it'd be Carlos Lee of the Astros and Matt Holliday of Colorado. Jason Bay's play is enough to lock up the token Pirate All-Star spot once again, although Xavier Nady could be worth arguing. While he doesn't have the monster batting average like his fellow teammate Holliday, fellow Rockie Brad Hawpe has provided just as much power at the plate. Aaron Rowand, Eric Byrnes and Geoff Jenkins are all lower profile guys that have played their asses off and should be considered. Adam Dunn deserves credit for maintaining that high of a batting average this late into the season. And lastly, Bonds should be on the team (quickly ducking to avoid various items being heaved at me).
Well there you have it. I may cover pitching later this week.
0 comments:
Post a Comment