The 2013 MLB All Star game is a little over a month and a half away. The game will take place in the big apple for the 2nd time in the past 5 years this time at Citi Field making the New York Mets the Host. MLB has one of the best televised and marketed all star games out of all of the major sporting organization. The All-Star game is exciting, fun, and well played and a chance to see some of your favorite stars out there at one time. Also, the winner of the All-Star game gets their league home field advantage in the World Series. So they actually have a reason to play hard. As most of you know you can go on to MLB.com and cast your vote for who you think should be the starters of the 2013 MLB All-Star Game and if you haven't Click Here and go vote NOW!! Here are my selections and a brief reason why. I will also, post a list at the end of players I think should make the team.
First Base - (AL) Prince Fielder (NL) Joey Votto
Prince Fielder is an out right choice in my opinion for the AL the only other player that could I think compete with Fielder would be the HR leading Chris Davis but he doesn't hold no where near the popularity that fielder has . Fielder so far this year is hitting .272, 9 HRs, and 42 RBI's.
Joey Votto on the other hand was not unanimous. I think there are several players that could have get the start and a couple will be announced on the team but Votto is a league favorite and the most Veteran of the bunch. So far this season Votto is hitting .352, 10 HR, and 27 RBI's.
Second Base - (AL) Robinson Cano (NL) Brandon Philips
Robinson Cano is another unanimous there is no other 2B in the league that can stand next to the stuff Cano does. So far this year Cano is hitting .292, 13 HR, 35 RBI's
Brandon Philips for the first time in several years has some competition at the 2B position but due to his outstanding year so far this year I gave him the nod. Philips is off to one of his best starts in his career. He is hitting .288, 8 HR's, and 43 RBI's.
Shortstop - (AL) J.J Hardy (NL) Troy Tulowitzki
For the first time in my 23 years of life there is not a complete obvious player for the AL shortstop position. In the past we have had players like Ripken, Jeter, Rodriguez as obvious write-ins but this year we don't and I am going with one of my favorites J.J Hardy. Hardy has had a great season so far with 10 HR's and 30 RBI's
Troy Tulowitzki is one of the best SS in the game if not the best right now. He can do it all as long as he stays healthy. So far this season he is hitting .337, 12 HR, and 43 RBI's
Third Base - (AL) Miguel Cabrera (NL) David Wright
Miguel Cabrera is right now the best player in professional baseball. He is Mr. Triple Crown and is on repeat to do it again this year. Hitting .368, 15 HR, and 59 RBI's. its hard to put anyone else up there no matter how good they are playing.
David Wright was a tuff choice I really wanted to go Ryan Zimmerman or Pablo Sandoval but due to Wright being the home town man I had to go with him.
Catcher - (AL) Matt Wieters (NL) Buster Posey
Matt Wieters is one of my favorite players in the game right now and he is very underrated. Wieters has been a consistent 20 HR hitter and 60+ RBI hitter the last two years and been atop of the American League catchers since entering the league back in 2008.
Buster Posey much like Wieters is the Premier catcher in all of MLB. Coming off his 2nd World Series and MVP Award in only 2 seasons of playing Posey has pronounced himself as one of the most elite players in the game right now.
Outfielders (not by specific position)
(AL) Yoenis Cespedas, Mike Trout, and Jose Bautista, (NL) Justin Upton, Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen
Cespedas has been one of the top outfielders since his rookie season. The Cuban defector has been very versatile and is a good all around hitter, Mike Trout, Mr. baseball; is one of the most dynamic and elite baseball players of era. Trout will be in the ranks of Ripken, Jeter, Mantle, Mays, and the many other greats. Jose Bautista was a tough pick I could of picked several other players especially after Bautista's rough first month but it seems that he is getting back in his grove and is putting up the numbers he is expected to put up. He is the face of the Blue Jays organization and will be selected to start the 2013 MLB All Star Game.
Justin Upton made his impact with the Braves organization very quick as he started off with one of the best starts in Braves history putting up almost 10 homeruns in the first 20 games. Since then Justin has slowed down but I still believe he is a big enough crowd favorite to get the Vote. Mr running into a wall him self Bryce Harper.. As much as I want to dislike this kid for his sometime bad attitude I cant because the kid like Trout will be a symbol of our era and hopefully with time and age he will mature in to one of the best well rounded players of the next generation. Andrew McCutchen is another just great talent in the OF started the season off slow but within the past month has really picked up his game and helped the Pirates out tremendously.
(AL) Designated Hitter (DH) David Ortiz
After the Boston Bombing and Ortiz's speech he will be a automatic write-in for the All-Star game but he deserves it as well he had a 22 game hit streak early this season and is hitting over .300 for the season so far.
Starting Pitchers (AL) Clay Bucholz (NL) Matt Harvey
Clay Bucholz has been one of the premier pitchers this season and I must say its good to see him back in rare form. After his rough season last year im glad to see him where he is at and he is leading all of the MLB in the ERA category with a 1.73
Matt Harvey hasn't been the best pitcher in the NL this year but he has been one of the biggest suprises and has helped the Mets stay alive in the NL: East. I believe with the game being in New York we could see the young thrower get the nod.
Out of all those players will still season plenty of other big name players make the team if I could pick 1 player from every league to make the team, not start but just be on the team. Then from the American League it would be Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles. He in my opinion is one of the most underrated players in all of MLB he is a great all around player and hitter but, he is overlooked due to the Miguel Cabrera and Evan Longoria's of the AL. For the NL I would have to give my vote to "El Oso Blanco" Evan Gattis of the Atlanta Braves. Just the kids story before the season never playing about AA-ball and then making the team out of spring. Then having the season he is having in a limited number of at bats.
First Base - (AL) Prince Fielder (NL) Joey Votto
Prince Fielder is an out right choice in my opinion for the AL the only other player that could I think compete with Fielder would be the HR leading Chris Davis but he doesn't hold no where near the popularity that fielder has . Fielder so far this year is hitting .272, 9 HRs, and 42 RBI's.
Joey Votto on the other hand was not unanimous. I think there are several players that could have get the start and a couple will be announced on the team but Votto is a league favorite and the most Veteran of the bunch. So far this season Votto is hitting .352, 10 HR, and 27 RBI's.
Second Base - (AL) Robinson Cano (NL) Brandon Philips
Robinson Cano is another unanimous there is no other 2B in the league that can stand next to the stuff Cano does. So far this year Cano is hitting .292, 13 HR, 35 RBI's
Brandon Philips for the first time in several years has some competition at the 2B position but due to his outstanding year so far this year I gave him the nod. Philips is off to one of his best starts in his career. He is hitting .288, 8 HR's, and 43 RBI's.
Shortstop - (AL) J.J Hardy (NL) Troy Tulowitzki
For the first time in my 23 years of life there is not a complete obvious player for the AL shortstop position. In the past we have had players like Ripken, Jeter, Rodriguez as obvious write-ins but this year we don't and I am going with one of my favorites J.J Hardy. Hardy has had a great season so far with 10 HR's and 30 RBI's
Troy Tulowitzki is one of the best SS in the game if not the best right now. He can do it all as long as he stays healthy. So far this season he is hitting .337, 12 HR, and 43 RBI's
Third Base - (AL) Miguel Cabrera (NL) David Wright
Miguel Cabrera is right now the best player in professional baseball. He is Mr. Triple Crown and is on repeat to do it again this year. Hitting .368, 15 HR, and 59 RBI's. its hard to put anyone else up there no matter how good they are playing.
David Wright was a tuff choice I really wanted to go Ryan Zimmerman or Pablo Sandoval but due to Wright being the home town man I had to go with him.
Catcher - (AL) Matt Wieters (NL) Buster Posey
Matt Wieters is one of my favorite players in the game right now and he is very underrated. Wieters has been a consistent 20 HR hitter and 60+ RBI hitter the last two years and been atop of the American League catchers since entering the league back in 2008.
Buster Posey much like Wieters is the Premier catcher in all of MLB. Coming off his 2nd World Series and MVP Award in only 2 seasons of playing Posey has pronounced himself as one of the most elite players in the game right now.
Outfielders (not by specific position)
(AL) Yoenis Cespedas, Mike Trout, and Jose Bautista, (NL) Justin Upton, Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen
Cespedas has been one of the top outfielders since his rookie season. The Cuban defector has been very versatile and is a good all around hitter, Mike Trout, Mr. baseball; is one of the most dynamic and elite baseball players of era. Trout will be in the ranks of Ripken, Jeter, Mantle, Mays, and the many other greats. Jose Bautista was a tough pick I could of picked several other players especially after Bautista's rough first month but it seems that he is getting back in his grove and is putting up the numbers he is expected to put up. He is the face of the Blue Jays organization and will be selected to start the 2013 MLB All Star Game.
Justin Upton made his impact with the Braves organization very quick as he started off with one of the best starts in Braves history putting up almost 10 homeruns in the first 20 games. Since then Justin has slowed down but I still believe he is a big enough crowd favorite to get the Vote. Mr running into a wall him self Bryce Harper.. As much as I want to dislike this kid for his sometime bad attitude I cant because the kid like Trout will be a symbol of our era and hopefully with time and age he will mature in to one of the best well rounded players of the next generation. Andrew McCutchen is another just great talent in the OF started the season off slow but within the past month has really picked up his game and helped the Pirates out tremendously.
(AL) Designated Hitter (DH) David Ortiz
After the Boston Bombing and Ortiz's speech he will be a automatic write-in for the All-Star game but he deserves it as well he had a 22 game hit streak early this season and is hitting over .300 for the season so far.
Starting Pitchers (AL) Clay Bucholz (NL) Matt Harvey
Clay Bucholz has been one of the premier pitchers this season and I must say its good to see him back in rare form. After his rough season last year im glad to see him where he is at and he is leading all of the MLB in the ERA category with a 1.73
Matt Harvey hasn't been the best pitcher in the NL this year but he has been one of the biggest suprises and has helped the Mets stay alive in the NL: East. I believe with the game being in New York we could see the young thrower get the nod.
Out of all those players will still season plenty of other big name players make the team if I could pick 1 player from every league to make the team, not start but just be on the team. Then from the American League it would be Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles. He in my opinion is one of the most underrated players in all of MLB he is a great all around player and hitter but, he is overlooked due to the Miguel Cabrera and Evan Longoria's of the AL. For the NL I would have to give my vote to "El Oso Blanco" Evan Gattis of the Atlanta Braves. Just the kids story before the season never playing about AA-ball and then making the team out of spring. Then having the season he is having in a limited number of at bats.