The AL Swing of Things.

     I forced myself to post the deserving NL All Stars first, because I knew that the AL would interest me more.  So had I finished the AL's first I may not have even wanted to do the NL, or wouldn't have put as much effort into it. 

     Again, more than one deserving candidate for each position, so don't get all pissed off because I did not include YOUR favorite player.  Although I can only piss, at most, like four people off right?  :)

     C:  Jason Varitek:  OPS+  73.  But his intangibles make up for the lack of hitting.  If you add in his Game Calling skills/leadership abilities, he is easily the best catcher of all time.  Johnny Bench what?  Pudge Rodriguez who?  I don't care if Varitek hit with a broom stick, he would be the best ever.

     Ok seriously, onto the real selections...

     C:  Joe Mauer:  OPS+ 139.  Joe Mauer is an amazing player.  The only question mark throughout his relatively short career has been his durability.  But that has not been much of a problem this season.  Mauer has actually improved statistically over the course of the season.  His OPS in April was .744.  In May it was .830.  In June it was .991.  Mauer displayed very little power that first month with a .386 slugging, and zero home runs.  The following month he had the same slugging percentage and again zero homers, but his OBP was much higher.  And then in June, Mauer took off.  A .568 slugging% and three homers.  Three homers isn't much, but if he had three each month for a season, Mauer would end up with 18, right about where he is expected.  Joe Mauer is not a home run hitter.  He hits for a high average, gets on base a ton, and adds some power.  But his value lies mostly in getting on base, and what he does behind the plate. 

     1B:  Kevin Youkilis:  OPS+ 137.  Maybe I am being a little bit of a homer on this one, I don't know.  But Youkilis has added some games at 3B as well as being arguably the best defender in the AL at first base.  I think the reason he has more Win Shares than Giambi in the field, by two whole fielding Win Shares I might add, is because of the fact that he played some 3B.  And not to mention that he is better at first than Giambi as well.  But if one were to choose Giambi or Morneau then I will not disagree.  I actually voted for Giambi when I voted a few days ago, but I voted very quickly, and didn't do much research at all (it was the last day to vote, so I had to get it done). 

     2B:  Ian Kinsler:  OPS+ 148.  Ian is truly having a great season at second base.  But isn't every Texas Rangers position player having a great season?  Seems like it.  There are some other 2B having good years in the AL, but not like this.  Kinsler is just beginning his prime, so maybe this is the player he will be the next 5 years or so as well. 

     3B:  Alex Rodriguez:  OPS+ 167.  Even though Rodriguez missed some time, he deserves this spot.  I don't argue that ARod is one of the best players in the game, and I won't argue that he isn't one of the best to ever play.  He is the best 3B in the game, and even with his struggles in recent postseasons, he is one of the 5 best overall.  And by five best, he could still be THE best.  It is just easier to say one of five. 

     SS:  UGH.  Michael Young:  OPS+ 105.  Do we really have to select an AL SS?  Terrible play at this position, relatively speaking, so far this year.  But I will select Young.  Only two qualified players are slugging over .400 among SS's.  Young and Peralta.  And both play in hitters parks.  Pathetic!

     OF:  Josh Hamilton:  OPS+ 142.  Josh Hamilton has had a great year.  And he is a five tool player, playing center field. 

     OF:  Grady Sizemore:  OPS+ 140.  Grady is a leadoff hitter with 22 homers and 20 stolen bases.  A chance for 40-40, probably unlikely, but a chance.  And if I am a leadoff hitter with these kinds of numbers than I am ecstatic, from an individual level of course.  The team perspective is a different story.  But Sizemore is among the best in baseball, and deserves a spot.

     OF:  JD Drew:  OPS+ 156.  Drew has been on fire this past month or so.  He has tailed off a little, but even yesterday he was on base three times in four trips to the plate.  And he is among the best defensive RF's in the game.  Third in OBP.  His AB's are the only weakness this season.  There are others who might deserve to start, but Drew deserves his first All Star appearance, even if it is a reserve spot.

     P:  Cliff Lee:  ERA+ 184.  Lee does not walk anyone, and strikes out enough batters.  He is second in ERA+ in the AL behind only Justin Duchscherer.  Lee in the K/BB department is also second where Justin does not crack the top 11, not to mention Justin's innings are somewhat limited.  Don't get me wrong Duchscherer has been great, but I think that Lee is more deserving.