My NL All-Stars, with some commentary. I stick to the MLB rules. Starters are in italics.
Catcher
Martin (LAD) -- Went back and forth on this one. All three catchers have done about the same thing with the bat. Martin, however, has a much better win percentage added. He's done the damage when it really matters. He's my only Dodger representative, which I would not have predicted. Chad Billingsley almost made the team, and if Furcal had not been injured, he was a lock.
McCann (ATL) -- An obvious selection. Even hits the lefties.
Soto (CHC) -- Three catchers seems strange, but WARP shows him as the best offensive and defensive catcher. I gave the nod to Martin because Soto's WPA is pretty low.
First Base
Berkman (HOU) -- Having an MVP-type season. I noticed on the selection show that he has only one fewer all-star appearance than Chipper Jones. He's only 30. He's the lone Astro on this team.
Pujols (STL) -- What's the point of an all-star game without this guy?
Gonzalez (SD) -- Hidden in San Diego, and putting up power numbers in a pitcher's park. Derrek Lee got some consideration for this spot, but Gonzalez deserves to be recognized.
Second Base
Utley (PHI) -- Another real tough call, considering Dan Uggla's year. Uggla not playing this week tipped the balance to Utley, who may be the best player in the NL anyway.
Uggla (FLA) -- Has been more clutch than Utley, but falls a little shy on both offense and defense. Not that I'm complaining.
Shortstop
Ramirez (FLA) -- The only truly easy call among the National Leaguers. Really, there's no one in second place.
Reyes (NYM) -- Despite the media coverage and constant harping on the Mets, Jose Reyes is having a good season. Presumably he was left off the squad because Cristian Guzman was included as the Nationals' representative. That's no excuse. He should be there.
Guzman (WAS) -- Not having an all-star season, but having a good season. That's sufficient on a team that is too injured to compete.
Third Base
Jones (ATL) -- A guy who spends most of the season chasing .400 is gonna make the team. Let's not forget he has an OPS well in excess of 1000.
Wright (NYM) -- No disrespect to Aramis Ramirez, of whom I'm a fan, but Wright is a better player, and having a better year.
Outfielders
Burrell (PHI) -- The best NL outfielder/hitter, and he was left off the team? Wake up people! He's on the list of players you can add for the last spot. Do so. Even more than Wright, he deserves to be on the team. I don't hold out much hope for him, though.
Ludwick (STL) -- With Pujols, has carried a team that started three weak-hitting middle infielders in the interleague games, and still wins games.
Nady (PIT) -- Totally overlooked, he has been Burrell and Ludwick's equivalent, despite missing significant time to injury. He's not even eligible for the 33rd spot. A shame. His spot went to McLouth.
Holliday (COL) -- Some of it is playing in Denver, but not that much. He can flat out hit.
Fukudome (CHC) -- Not just a fan pick. He has been a sparkplug for the Cubs, because he is constantly on base and can hit anywhere in the lineup.
Rowand (SFG) -- One of the two players on my All-Star squads that I cannot stand to watch hit. The other is Kevin Youkilis. Still, that team has serious lineup problems. He's the only bright spot, and it is brighter than the other candidates for this position, like McLouth. Also better this year than Carlos Lee, who pads his counting stats but hasn't been as good a player as Rowand.
Bay (PIT) -- Nice to see him back. Two years ago an All-Star game in 2008 would have been predictable. Last year, it would have been inconceivable. McLouth just misses my team. I've got the two just about even so far, but I'm guessing Bay will look better in the end. What an outfield the Pirates have. Too bad the Pirates suck at every other position, including pitching (notable exception for Damaso Marte, who just missed my team).
