The Should-Be All-Star Starters (NL Edition)

Ken Griffey, Jr. = amazing career and first-ballot hall-of-famer.

Ken Griffey, Jr. = not an all-star in 2008.

Far from it, not even close.

Yes, but tell that to the fans. Because, apparently, they didn't get that memo.

It's time we stop letting the fans ruin the all-star game.

Besides, that's Bud Selig's job. Tie anyone?

Here's who SHOULD, not WILL start in the all-star game for the National League.

For my AL picks, chick HERE.


CATCHER: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs (.290 AVG, 14 HR, 51 RBI)

This may be the most competitive race in the NL, with Brian McCann, Russell Martin and Bengie Molina (name that Molina!) all putting up scarily-similar numbers this season.

The best case could be made by McCann, who has almost identicle numbers as Soto across the board.

Soto:       .290 AVG, 14 HR, 51 RBI, .376 OBP, .524 SLG, 32 R, 83 H, 23 2B
McCann:  .298 AVG, 14 HR, 47 RBI, .368 OBP, .534 SLG, 36 R, 87 H, 25 2B

I'll admit, McCann holds a slight edge in a majority of the categories, but I'm picking Soto for a few reasons.

1. Soto has been dealing with some injuries, but has stayed in the lineup -- to the detriment of his offensive output. Even with these injuries, his numbers are just as good as McCann's.

2. McCann is a good defensive catcher, no question. But Cubs pitchers RAVE about the way that Soto has come in and taken over the catching responsibilities. By all accounts, they love throwing to him and he's been a huge asset behind the plate, as well as at it. Plus, Soto has a better range factor and a better rate of throwing would-be basestealers out.


FIRST BASE: Lance Berkman, Houston Astros (.355 AVG, 22 HR, 69 RBI)

He's been the most productive hitter in all of baseball. It's that simple.

He leads NL first baseman in: runs, hits, doubles, home runs, stolen bases, batting average and slugging percentage.

Adrian Gonzalez and Albert Pujols will 100% be on the all-star team, as well, but not even those two can match what Berkman is doing.

He's on pace for 100 extra-base hits, 139 runs, 207 hits, 130 RBI and 23 steals; while hitting .355 and slugging .677.

Not bad.


SECOND BASE: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (.299 AVG, 24 HR, 67 RBI)

This is an interesting one. Utley is quite arguably the MVP of the National League, but he may not even deserve to start in the all-star game at his position.

That's how good Dan Uggla has been for Florida.

Let's compare...

Utley: .299 AVG, 24 HR, 67 RBI, .383 OBP, .607 SLG, 64 R, 99 H,
Uggla: .289 AVG, 23 HR, 58 RBI, .375 OBP, .620 SLG, 57 R, 83 H

Utley leads in all of those categories except for one. Granted, it isn't a huge lead, but still. Plus, Uggla has struck out 36 more times than Utley, despite 44 less at-bats.

Defensively, Utley has a much better range factor and zone rating at second base.

I hate not to give this to Uggla, because he deserves it. But I just think Utley deserves it SLIGHTLY more.


SHORTSTOP: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins (.303 AVG, 21 HR, 43 RBI)

Best shortstop on the planet.

Not close.

If i could take one player to start my franchise, I take this guy. Hands down.

On pace for 40 homers, 40 steals. Shortstops aren't supposed to do that.

Also on pace to score 142 runs. He's leading NL shortstops in virtually anything.

The scariest thing of all? He's only 24-years-old; still years away from his prime.

Pencil him in as the all-star starter in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.


THIRD BASE: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves (.390 AVG, 17 HR, 48 RBI)

I want to take David Wright and his 66 RBIs (11 more than any other NL third baseman) but Chipper gives me 100 reasons not to.

100 points on the batting average, that is.

The man is hitting .390.

Discussion over.


OUTFIELD: Pat Burrell, Philadelphia Phillies (.278 AVG, 21 HR, 53 RBI), Ryn Ludwick (.291 AVG, 16 HR, 56 RBI) and Carlos Lee,, Houston Astros (.293 AVG, 19 HR, 65 RBI)

This is a weak year for NL outfielders, as evidenced by the fact that none of my three picks to start are hitting above .300. In fact, only four outfielders in the ENTIRE National League are above the .300 mark.

One of them was Matt Holliday, whom I wanted to pick, but his fairly substantial home-road splits (ahem, Coors Field) have inflated his numbers a bit. Plus, he missed some time to the DL, as well.

Also just missing out in my book is Nate McLouth and Ryan Braun.

Why Lee? He leads NL OF's with 65 RBI (seven more than anyone else) and he ranks in the top five in hits, doubles, home runs and slugging percentage.

Why Ludwick?  His .570 slugging percentage trails only Burrell, his .936 OPS ranks third and so do his 56 RBIs.

Why Burrell? It's simple. He paces all outfielders in the senior circuit in home runs, slugging percentage, OPS and ranks second on on-base percentage.

 
DESIGNATED HITTER: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals (.348 AVG, 18 HR, 48 RBI)

I wanted to take Adrian Gonzalez or Dan Uggla, but when a guy is hitting .348 with an on-base percentage of .470 and slugging percentage of .625, well, you can't.

Pujols ranks in the Top 3 in the NL in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.

He's the DH.

Once again, I'm sorry Dan Uggla.