Picking the All-Stars: NL Edition
Yesterday, we tackled the American League. Today, we do the NL. If you read the intro to yesterday’s post, you can just skip on down to the picks, as the next few paragraphs are the same as they were in the AL post. If you didn’t read that post, keep reading.
The All-Star Game isn’t for another 35 days, but with the voting in full swing and enough of the season under our belts, I figure it’s time to weigh in on how I’d fill out the roster if I were Grand Poobah and had the final say on all 34 players. I will note up front that I believe the All-Star Game is an annual affair, and we shouldn’t simply have the same collection of players every year just because those are the “true stars”. The All-Star Game is best when it serves as both a platform for the game’s greatest players and recognition for those who have earned their way in. I will not be putting players on the roster who have not performed well in 2013, even if they are bonafide stars.
As a reminder, the rosters now comprise 34 players, which I’ll be splitting as 21 position players and 13 pitchers, as that has been the final tally for the game most of the last few years. And, yes, we’re honoring the rule requiring every team to be represented. I’ll list each player by the tier of how they got selected, then put the final roster down below. On to the picks.
The Game Would Be A Farce Without Them
These players are the epitome of All-Stars; great players having great seasons. I imagine there will be little disagreement about any of these 14 selections. It’s hard to imagine a reasonable case for excluding any of these players, assuming they stay healthy for the next few weeks anyway.
Troy Tulowitzki, COL, SS: +4.0 WAR
Joey Votto, CIN, 1B: +3.0 WAR
Carlos Gonzalez, COL, OF: +3.0 WAR
Yadier Molina, STL, C: +2.6 WAR
Andrew McCutchen, PIT, OF: +2.5 WAR
David Wright, NYM, 3B: +2.5 WAR
Buster Posey, SFG, C: +2.1 WAR
Brandon Phillips, CIN, 2B: +2.0 WAR
Ryan Braun, MIL, OF: +1.8 WAR
Adam Wainwright, STL, SP: +3.8 WAR
Cliff Lee, PHI, SP: +2.8 WAR
Clayton Kershaw, LAD, SP: +2.8 WAR
Jordan Zimmermann, WAS, SP: +2.2 WAR
Craig Kimbrel, ATL, RP: +0.6 WAR
They’ve Earned It
You wouldn’t have necessarily pegged these guys as All-Stars headed into the season, but their 2013 performance has been so stellar that they have to be there. You might have a different line for how great a performance needs to be to overcome a lack of a track record, but these nine players should clear most people’s bar and get in based on their performance to date.
Carlos Gomez, MIL, OF: +3.9 WAR
Matt Carpenter, STL, 2B/3B: +3.4 WAR
Everth Cabrera, SD, SS: +3.2 WAR
Jean Segura, MIL, SS: +2.9 WAR
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI, 1B: +2.8 WAR
Dexter Fowler, COL, OF: +2.5 WAR
Shin-Soo Choo, CIN, OF: +2.2 WAR
Matt Harvey, NYM, SP: +3.0 WAR
Shelby Miller, STL, SP: +2.3 WAR
The Team Representative
These guys are mostly worthy candidates anyway, but they are also the best choice to represent the two franchises that did not have a player listed above.
Jeff Samardzija, CHC, SP: +2.0 WAR
Jose Fernandez, MIA, SP: +1.0 WAR
The Reserves
With 16 hitters and nine pitchers already on the roster, that leaves us nine spots to fill, so it’s time to start looking at where the holes are. We’ve already covered most of the spots on the field with the position players above, but because of the DH, we probably need to take an extra bat oriented player and then fill out the roster with deserving players. Here are the nine guys who both fit the All-Star criteria and fill the current openings.
Russell Martin, PIT, C: +2.0 WAR
Marco Scutaro, SFG, 2B: +2.0 WAR
Evan Gattis, ATL, C/OF: +1.9 WAR
Jedd Gyorko, SD, 2B/3B: +1.8 WAR
Bryce Harper, WAS, OF: +1.7 WAR
Pat Corbin, ARI, SP: +1.9 WAR
Jason Grilli, PIT, RP: +1.7 WAR
Mark Melancon, PIT, RP: +1.0 WAR
Aroldis Chapman, CIN, RP: +0.8 WAR
The Final Roster
That leaves us with these 34 players. The starters are listed first and are in bold, with the reserves afterwards. Because I know it’s going to come up, Carpenter is listed as the backup third baseman to Wright because there are no other viable All-Star third baseman in the NL this year, and so I took extra second baseman and shifted Carpenter back to third. While he probably has earned a starting spot based on his play, there’s no shame in backing up Wright, and if he started at second base, he’d have to play the whole game. So, Phillips gets the start at second and Carpenter is Wright’s reserve.
| Name | Team | Position | PA | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA | wRC+ | Fld | BsR | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yadier Molina | Cardinals | C | 246 | 0.351 | 0.390 | 0.487 | 0.378 | 145 | 1.1 | -1.3 | 2.6 |
| Buster Posey | Giants | C | 240 | 0.297 | 0.375 | 0.493 | 0.371 | 142 | -1.6 | -0.6 | 2.1 |
| Russell Martin | Pirates | C | 198 | 0.251 | 0.338 | 0.434 | 0.340 | 119 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 2.0 |
| Joey Votto | Reds | 1B | 298 | 0.328 | 0.446 | 0.520 | 0.413 | 165 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 3.0 |
| Paul Goldschmidt | Diamondbacks | 1B | 276 | 0.313 | 0.389 | 0.571 | 0.407 | 157 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 |
| Brandon Phillips | Reds | 2B | 265 | 0.292 | 0.345 | 0.475 | 0.350 | 121 | 3.9 | -0.2 | 2.0 |
| Marco Scutaro | Giants | 2B | 258 | 0.332 | 0.388 | 0.444 | 0.365 | 137 | -1.1 | 0.3 | 2.0 |
| Jedd Gyorko | Padres | 2B | 255 | 0.284 | 0.341 | 0.461 | 0.347 | 128 | -0.8 | 0.6 | 1.8 |
| Troy Tulowitzki | Rockies | SS | 245 | 0.353 | 0.420 | 0.651 | 0.450 | 179 | 6.2 | -1.1 | 4.0 |
| Everth Cabrera | Padres | SS | 301 | 0.294 | 0.369 | 0.412 | 0.346 | 127 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 3.2 |
| Jean Segura | Brewers | SS | 268 | 0.340 | 0.373 | 0.538 | 0.390 | 150 | -1.2 | 2.6 | 2.9 |
| David Wright | Mets | 3B | 253 | 0.275 | 0.372 | 0.459 | 0.362 | 134 | -0.1 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
| Matt Carpenter | Cardinals | 3B | 281 | 0.327 | 0.409 | 0.473 | 0.386 | 150 | 5.7 | 0.8 | 3.4 |
| Carlos Gomez | Brewers | OF | 252 | 0.316 | 0.357 | 0.573 | 0.393 | 152 | 11.6 | 1.7 | 3.9 |
| Carlos Gonzalez | Rockies | OF | 281 | 0.300 | 0.377 | 0.615 | 0.418 | 157 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Andrew McCutchen | Pirates | OF | 259 | 0.290 | 0.359 | 0.455 | 0.350 | 125 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 |
| Dexter Fowler | Rockies | OF | 271 | 0.303 | 0.397 | 0.498 | 0.389 | 137 | -0.4 | 3.6 | 2.5 |
| Shin-Soo Choo | Reds | OF | 300 | 0.280 | 0.430 | 0.483 | 0.400 | 155 | -9.1 | 1.0 | 2.2 |
| Ryan Braun | Brewers | OF | 242 | 0.304 | 0.380 | 0.509 | 0.376 | 140 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.8 |
| Bryce Harper | Nationals | OF | 178 | 0.287 | 0.386 | 0.587 | 0.411 | 165 | -0.2 | -0.3 | 1.7 |
| Evan Gattis | Braves | DH | 175 | 0.263 | 0.326 | 0.603 | 0.386 | 148 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.9 |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Name | Team | Position | IP | BB% | K% | HR/9 | ERA- | FIP- | xFIP- | WAR | RA9WAR |
| Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | SP | 100.1 | 7% | 25% | 0.45 | 51 | 71 | 83 | 2.6 | 3.6 |
| Adam Wainwright | Cardinals | SP | 96.0 | 2% | 24% | 0.19 | 63 | 46 | 65 | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Matt Harvey | Mets | SP | 90.0 | 6% | 28% | 0.40 | 57 | 58 | 74 | 3.0 | 3.4 |
| Cliff Lee | Phillies | SP | 95.1 | 4% | 22% | 0.47 | 66 | 65 | 85 | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| Shelby Miller | Cardinals | SP | 75.1 | 6% | 28% | 0.48 | 51 | 63 | 81 | 2.3 | 2.8 |
| Jordan Zimmermann | Nationals | SP | 94.2 | 4% | 17% | 0.57 | 52 | 80 | 91 | 2.2 | 3.5 |
| Jeff Samardzija | Cubs | SP | 85.0 | 8% | 28% | 0.85 | 80 | 77 | 78 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| Pat Corbin | Diamondbacks | SP | 81.2 | 7% | 20% | 0.44 | 49 | 76 | 99 | 1.9 | 3.4 |
| Jose Fernandez | Marlins | SP | 65.1 | 9% | 25% | 0.83 | 82 | 89 | 90 | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Jason Grilli | Pirates | RP | 27.2 | 6% | 44% | 0.00 | 26 | 12 | 44 | 1.7 | 1.5 |
| Mark Melancon | Pirates | RP | 31.1 | 3% | 27% | 0.29 | 31 | 47 | 50 | 1.0 | 1.6 |
| Aroldis Chapman | Reds | RP | 28.0 | 11% | 42% | 0.96 | 57 | 61 | 62 | 0.8 | 1.0 |
| Craig Kimbrel | Braves | RP | 24.1 | 6% | 35% | 1.11 | 48 | 74 | 58 | 0.6 | 1.1 |
And, finally, the starting line-up.
1. Andrew McCutchen, CF
2. Joey Votto, 1B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
6. Bryce Harper, DH
7. Carlos Gomez, RF
8. Yadier Molina, C
9. Brandon Phillips, 2B
Based on both career track record and 2013 performance, this is how I’d fill out the NL All-Star roster. There are a lot of great players who didn’t make the cut, and there are certainly judgment calls here that could have gone another direction, but overall, I think this is a pretty good set of players who would represent the National League quite well.
Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.
Minor over Melancon is the only easy change I’d make.
I have no idea why he included a decent (but not great) reliever like Melancon over an all-star worthy starter like Minor for a roster spot.
You can’t split up Mark & Cheese!!!
If you don’t like relievers, that’s normal… but Melancon’s FIP is sixth in the majors and second among NL relievers (behind only Grilli). Seems better than “decent”
Mark Melancon’s not having a great year?
Melancon is having a good year, not a great year. I would prefer a top tier starter over a reliever any day. Grilli is probably the only reliever in baseball that should be an all-star this year.
Mariano Rivera should be an All Star, this year, next year, and every year, in perpetuity.
@KJ, please point what has only been ‘good, not great’
Here’s his stats with NL RP ranks in parentheses (min. 20 IP)
1.64 SIERA (2nd), 1.79 FIP (2nd), 1.96 xFIP (2nd), 1.15 ERA (3rd), 1.0 WAR (3rd), 20 SD (1st)
What exactly does he need to do to have had a great year so far in your eyes?
To KJ Says: Why? These guys all end up pitching an inning in the AS game – what’s the magic of a starter being there vs. a reliever?
Melancon’s numbers are what they are. If he’s the #2 reliever in the NL and has the 6th-best FIP in all of baseball….what are we talking about? That’s what the AS Game is for, right?
thank you l1ay!! I can’t understand how anyone thinks those numbers are “good, not great” they’re almost otherwordly at this point.
Maybe because there are already nine starters mentioned? Or maybe because Melancon is better than Minor this year in almost every stat that isn’t cumulative? (Is Melancon ‘decent but not great’? Sure. Is he having an amazing first half? Absolutely.) Or maybe because there would only be three relievers?
You actually can’t just compare a relief pitcher’s rate stats to a starting pitcher’s rate stats. Sorry, but out of these two, Minor is undoubtedly the All Star.
I’d take 82 innings of very good pitching vs 31 innings of excellent pitching, and so would every other MLB team.
Whenever an All-Star game lasts 82 innings, we will make sure Mike Minor is on the roster then.
@Brandon: then add Minor and remove fellow Brave Kimbrel, who was the worse stats of the four NL relievers (or actually add Latos or Bailey, both of whom are having comparable/better seasons than Minor)
I’m don’t disagree with that, especially re Bailey. I’m just saying comparing a starter to a reliever by k% or bb% is silly, and minor is easily better this year than Melancon.
You’re right. Comparing a starter to a reliever is silly.
How about Trevor Rosenthal over Melancon? Stats back that up and it’s a 1:1 move. Plus, Rosenthal’s more exciting.
cept the stats don’t back that up.
Kind of remarkable how far Justin Upton has fallen.
Upton will make the actual all-star team and my guess is that no one will question it by the time the game is actually played.
Possibly – the K rate is starting its usual climb and, as it does, pitchers will stop pitching around him becasue of his hot April and the BB rate will plummet. And the defense is crappy.
Definite tailspin candidate from here out, but at least he’s not as godawful as his brother. Too bad you couldn’t transplant BUp’s glove onto JUp
He’s looked a lot better the last couple of games and hit a 430 foot home run yesterday. Hopefully that is the start of a new hot streak.
You are right about the glove though. That has been really disappointing.
The MLB should just let fangraphs make the all star roster each year.
I bet you think they should let those fan graphers and their calculators play the games, too! Will to win! Stretch!
Melancon over Rosenthal and his 12+ K/9? C’mon.
Rosenthal definitely has him beat there. What he doesn’t have him beat in is one single other stat.
The most meaningful stat… Outs recorded.
by 2…
Wilton Lopez has more outs recorded than either of them. Wilton Lopez is an ALLSTAR!!!
Just got Logic’d.
…ERA?
He has him beat in WAR. I’m not sure what you’re getting at. They’re both good choices. I would pick Rosenthal because of the psychological effect of bringing in a guy with a 100 mph fastball and also because he doesn’t have a 4 year career of mediocrity preceding this season. But yeah, both good choices.
I think Bob was probably referring to, among other stats: BB/9, GB%, FIP, xFIP.
But I agree with your conclusion that they are both good choices and pretty close to one another.
Melancon’s ERA is 1.15. Rosenthal’s is 1.69. He has Melancon in WAR by .1. But yes, I was referring to every other rate stat. No knock on Rosenthal, entirely worthy of a spot. More of a knock on isolating the one rate stat Rosenthal is superior and saying it’s conclusive.
It was the “one single stat” that threw me off. That would seem to allude to WAR but, again, Rosenthal has the better WAR.
I kinda like to think that a difference of .1 WAR in the middle of June is a push, but you’re correct. Rosenthal has him there.
@Andrew,
Nobody has better stats than anybody in the stats that that person has better of.
I want to say AJ Burnett deserves the nod but I can’t find a pitcher who he would clearly be a better choice than. Probably one of Chapman/Kimbrel but I would prefer those two over AJ in a one inning outing.
Based on those numbers shouldn’t Carpenter be starting over Phillips at 2B?
He explained that. He has no other back-up 3b so if Carpenter started at 2b he or Wright would have to play the whole game.
Of course, this could be solved by having Todd Frazier be back-up 3b. He has 2 WAR, same as Scutaro and Phillips, so one of them could be dropped, with Carpenter starting at 2b.
Pence, Parra or Marte may deserve a spot over Braun, although he does get the “star” nod. I question whether he’s really earned his UZR, since that takes a while to stabilize, but he has been better as a fielder last year and a half per that metric. Braun’s been pretty good and hurt, but Pence’s WAR especially is a lot higher. I suppose it is an All-Star team not an All-WAR team.
Can you not make a case for bouncing out Braun in the top tier for his teammate Carlos Gomez…not just on WAR but the overall 5 tool ability he has showcased this year?
No, since the top tier is for the perennial All Stars like Braun. Not guys having great first halves.
Tier’s are not performance based. People can have the same season’s in tiers 1 and 2 but the first tier was great players having great years. Carlos Gomez is not a ‘great player’ historically.
I’m a Nationals fan and a huge Jordan Zimmermann fan, but I’m a little surprised you had him in the can’t-miss category, especially considering his SP company there. I thought there was some concern with him about a low SO/9 and HR/9 regression, and he’s never produced more than 3.4 WAR–a fine number, but he’s no Wainwright, Lee, or Kershaw.
I think you have to start looking at RA/9 Wins for Zimmermann. He’s outperformed his FIP both this year and last and I think we can start to believe some of that.
“This year and last” means 1 1/3 seasons. It’s a little early to say that he’s definitively a guy who outpitches his FIP.
Definitively does not mean the same thing as definitely.
I think a representative of the Rockies bullpen needs to be in the all star game – such as Rex Brothers who has an ERA of 0.31 – I know his WAR is only 0.8 – but Brothers is lights out solid.
Great list. One quibble: AJ Burnett. Not sure who’d he replace (I’m thinking Jordan Zimmerman), but dude has been really good.
Anyways, good stuff.
Absolutely no way does Burnett deserve a sport over Zimmerman
Cargo has a higher SLG than Votto. Baby Cargo.
Just sayin.
I had no idea Gattis’s WAR had climbed above Justin Upton’s. Wow.
Me neither, and I had set my ScoreMobile app to inform me if and when this happened. Damned computers; I don’t even know why the scientists invented them.
Amazing, considering he has 75 less PA than Yadier. It’s a shame, if you extend his production over 75 more PA, he’d be the obvious #1 catcher, and probably an early MVP candidate.
I’m a Braves fan, if it isn’t obvious…
The only thing is his home run distance is pretty fragile. Like Yadi-2012, he’s hitting a lot of dingers that barely go over the fence.
How many scoreless innings do I need to throw?
No love for Dom Brown?
Only as friends.
But seriously I’d add him in place of Choo. I’m just no Shin-Soo him.
He’ll probably get in. The voters always love HR’s.
*not that
well, you screwed that one up.
I understand your reasoning for Matt Carpenter playing 3B (though I think better solutions to the problem exist), but why is he the backup? Comparing him to Wright, seems to me that Carpenter should be the starter.
Because Citi Field. Also because Carpenter is a utility player who could be used at several positions depending on need, which would be particularly useful late in the game if they needed to move him around.
when are they going to hand out biogenesis suspensions…. it better happen before the all star game, and those names not be a part of the list come summer classic time….*ahem* Braun….
Why is Kershaw starting?
Wainwright and Harvey both look like clearly better choices.
Because Kershaw’s better?
Not this year.
As a Cards’ fan I’ve got no problem with Wainwright making the team and not pitching.
I don’t know who I would bump but if I’m Bruce Bochy I’d be dying to get Trevor Rosenthal and his 100 mph fastball onto the roster. This year he has the second highest WAR among NL relievers as well as the third lowest FIP and SIERA. His fastball is tied with Chapman for highest average velocity.
What? No Bryan Lahair?
He changed his name to Evan Gattis
It’s just a shame that Wright won’t actually get to start the game at Citi Field, as the Giants fans will give Sandoval more than enough votes to get the undeserving nod.
Someday NY will get the internet so their fans can vote, too.
its so unfortunate that not very many people live in New York.
if only they had a larger population so they could compete with SF maybe the voting would be fair.
As a philosophical question – relievers tend to perform better than starters on a per inning basis, even though starters are obviously the most talented pitchers in the game. One would assume that in a format like the ASG, the starters who are only pitching 1-2 innings at a time would get a boost in performance relative to when they have to pitch 6+ innings, but how much of one? Is a starter pitching 1 IP in an ASG comparable to how that starter would perform if he were placed in the bullpen as a short reliever full time? And if not, could the optimal pitching staff for a single game like this consist of the 9 best relief pitchers each assigned a single inning? Not sure if there’s a definitive answer, but I’d be interested to hear people’s thoughts.
As long as we are being philosophical, what do you mean by “starters are obviously the most talented pitchers in the game?”
I think the implication is that many relievers (certainly not all) are failed starters, and many who were marginal-to-bad starters went on to find quite a measure of success relieving.
I would rather have Kimbrel, Chapman, and Mariano Rivera for 1 inning than any other pitcher in all of baseball.
None of those pitchers can hold Strasburg’s jockstrap
Then it’s a good thing they’re paid to pitch.
Bochy will choose Sergio Romo (surge protector) who has had a great year
I can’t complain about Pablo not being there. On performance he doesn’t deserve it. But dammit, as an irrational fan, I want to see him take a hack at the plate!
I think he’d be perfect to pinch hit with when the AL brings in Verlander to pitch.
I think there’s a case for Hunter Pence (2.6 WAR) sneaking in over Fowler – park-adjusted he’s having a pretty similar offensive year to Fowler, and is an equally good baserunner. So I guess it’s just a question of whether the defensive stats are in any way believable or just SSS.
More like its just a mattter of “who would Bochy rather take? Fowler, or Pence?”
hmmmmmmm
Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig, Lance Lynn, Trevor Rosenthal, and Edward Mujica wonder if the best team in baseball should be better represented.
Way to represent the “best fans in baseball”, Whinypants!
I literally had to look at the date to see if you were talking about last year? So no Dom Brown, who is the ENTIRE Phillies offense….and you are singing the praises of Pence and Braun…ummm…ok….well, if you are a fan of crossing your fingers every time the ball is hit to Pence, and you are a fan of a soon to be 3x convicted druggie, well by all means!
I don’t think you know what convicted means.
I’m not sure he knows what 3 means.
Also… “entire;’ “singing;” “druggie”
Were you looking for me?
I’m a big Phillies fan (sigh) so I would really like to see him in the game. But, when I compare him with each of the OFs already on this list, I just can’t justify swapping any of them out. I couldn’t put him in over Choo, Gonzalez and McCutchen or Gomez with a straight face. Harper’s more exciting and better. Braun’s still just crazy good. Fowler’s close… Meh. At most, people are cautiously optimistic about Dom. A few more fingers, and maybe a SB or two, may push him over the edge
A few more *dingers, obviously, is what I meant before my iPhone corrected it. I’m not claiming that Armando Benitez should come back and pitch the all-star game…
I believe you mean Antonio Alfonseca rather than Armando Benitez.
Yeah, I definitely did. DAMN AUTO-CORRECT.
Your auto-correct turns “Alfonseca” into “Benitez”?! Holy cow, I gotta get that app. Does it transliterate any random baseball player into any other random player? Or just relievers to other relievers, catchers to other catchers, etc? Does it work across all major sports? Across all active and past players? NEAT!
That John Jaha is a surefire hall of famer! Did I say John Jaha?! I meant PUJOLS! AUTO-CORRECT!!!
Works exactly like that Jason B. like the time I wanted to write “Unfortunately, the Cubbies’ success will be short-lived” and it got auto-corrected to “Kerry Woods will be in the Hall of Fame someday”
Antonio Alfonseca had extra fingers. Benitez just gave up extra dingers.
Remember when Dave called Marco Scuataro’s contract “irrational exuberance” this off season…. ahhh good times.
He may pay off (in terms of value) his 3 year contract in this year alone.
Isn’t he out the next 4-6 weeks?
Think Ozuna (1.6 WAR) has a little better case than Fernandez, but neither would be a bad choice for the Marlins representative. Of course with 35 days left, we all know Stanton is capable of going on a ridiculous run and stealing that honor.
McCutchen is a fine CF, but I can see no reason to put him there when you have Gomez on the roster.
Like with yesterday’s AL post, here is what a pure (as much as possible) fWAR team for the last 12 months would be.
Starters:
C Buster Posey-SF
1B Joey Votto-Cin
2B Chase Utley-Phi
SS Ian Desmond-Was
3B Chase Headley-SD
OF Andrew McCutchen-Pit
OF Ryan Braun-Mil
OF Carlos Gomez-Mil
DH Yadier Molina-StL*
1B Paul Goldschmidt-Ari
2B Brandon Phillips-Cin
2B Aaron Hill-Ari
2B/3B Matt Carpenter-StL
SS Jimmy Rollins-Phi
SS Troy Tulowitzki-Col**
3B David Wright-NYM
3B Aramis Ramirez-Mil
OF Jason Heyward-Atl
OF Bryce Harper-Was
OF Matt Holliday-StL
OF Justin Ruggiano-Mia***
SP Adam Wainwright-StL
SP Clayton Kershaw-LAD
SP Cliff Lee-Phi
SP Jordan Zimmermann-Was
SP Homer Bailey-Cin
SP Mat Latos-Cin
SP Matt Harvey-NYM
SP Kris Medlen-Atl
SP Johnny Cueto-Cin
SP Wade Miley-Ari
SP Jeff Samardzija-ChC****
RP Craig Kimbrel-Atl
RP Jason Grilli-Pit
*I’m listing him there as the highest WAR of anyone outside the other starting 8. It would be rather silly to use him as the DH, though. David Wright is next up, so he would really be the DH while Molina became the backup catcher. His presence is also why I did not list a catcher on the bench.
**Actually tied with Ryan Zimmerman for last spot, but Zimmerman has gotten his in 150 games while Tulowitzki has gotten his in 59 (!) games, so I’m giving Tulowitzki the nod. I would have had to switch them even if I hadn’t, in order to give the Rockies a rep.
***In as a team representative, replacing Everth Cabrera.
****In as a team representative, replacing Cole Hamels.
Do they have a DH when it’s played in an NL park?
Also, while I see the value in a rolling 12-month period, it just doesn’t work for some people. Headley was great in the 2nd half of last year, especially in September, but there’s no way I can bring someone to the AS game if he hasn’t produced this year.
I just think it’s interesting to look at it, not really saying that it’s how the team should be.
I think the ASG is always played with the DH, but to tell the truth I don’t care about the game much, so I could be wrong. The last time I watched the ASG was in about 1996.
I dont think we should be making our decisions on WAR, or FWAR. I hate how people use that stat like it is the be all end all.
Panda. Don’t let Verlander blind you into forgetting him.
In my very humble opinion, I think Gerardo Parra could qualify.
He’s certainly fun to watch.
The only thing I know for sure about the NL All-Stars is that Evan Gattis needs to pinch hit in the 8th/9th inning with runners on base.
I have no quibble with this excellent list, but am struggling mentally with thinking of Brandon Phillips as a “great player” in the class of most of the others in that tier.
Mujica has to make this team. He’s perfect so far this year
Seriously hoping that Biogenesis cheaters like Braun and Everth Cabrera get bounced before the ASG, whether by fan vote, Bochy or MLB suspensions.
For a moment please picture Everth Cabrera with a Barry Bonds size head……we would have the first live bobble head playing in the ASG.
Goldschmidt should be the DH (that doesn’t exist, but if you’re going to put one, it should be him). He’s been a bit under Harper this year, but with 100 more PAs. That’s not a small number.
No Puig? This is whole list is a sham…
I completely agree. He’s a lock for the HOF. How can he not be on the all-star team?!??!
What about Hunter Pence? By WAR, he has been the 3rd best outfielder in the National League so far this year!
OK, I get it. Hah! You have the best hitter in the galaxy not named Miguel Cabrera batting in the two-hole and the league leader in RBIs batting 9th.
Votto should be batting 2nd everyday. He is also the reason why Phillips has so many RBI, which is an irrelevant stat in this discussion anyway.
NO DOM BROWN ??, LEADING LEAGUE IN HOMERS – 5TH IN RBI’S, HITTING 280 %, PLAYER OF THE MONTH IN MAY.!!!
No love for Freddie Freeman…
Dom Brown should be in there. Over Evan Gattis.