2014 NL All-Star Picks

On July 15, Major League Baseball will play its 85^th All-Star game.  So I thought I would have fun with this one and talk about who the starters in the game should be.  This entry will deal with the National League and will be followed by an entry on the American League.  So without further ado, here are my National League All-Star starters.

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona)

This was a pretty easy one for me.   Goldschmidt is second in the NL with 15 homeruns, second with 53 RBIs, first with 58 runs, first with 27 doubles and fourth in batting average.  He is the only first bagger who ranks in the top 5 in all those categories.  And for the record leads all first basemen with 7 steals. 

Honorable mention: Freddie Freeman (Atlanta), Anthony Rizzo (Chicago)

Second Base: Dee Gordon (Los Angeles)

This guy is the best basestealer in baseball, leading the majors with 40.  I think in today’s game of homeruns and more homeruns, guys who can steal bases are underrated.  This guy is fast and he is smart.  Plus he has a solid .288 average, is fourth with 42 runs scored, leads the majors with 9 triples and is playing above average defense. 

Honorable mention: Daniel Murphy (New York), Chase Utley (Philadelphia)

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado)

This was another pick which was pretty easy.  Tulowitzki is generally regarded as the best shortstop in baseball.  The only downside he has is that he is injury prone.  But he has stayed healthy this year and is putting up the numbers.  He leads all shortstops with 18 homeruns and 65 runs, is second with 47 RBIs and leads all players with a .353 average. 

Honorable mention: Hanley Ramirez (Los Angeles), Starlin Castro (Chicago)

Third Base: Todd Frazier (Cincinnati)

I originally did my all-star voting a few weeks ago, and in that time I have had to change my mind on this pick.   Originally I voted for Matt Carpenter with the mindset that Frazier and Carpenter are different type hitters.  Frazier had the RBI’s and homeruns but Carpenter had hits and runs.  Well Frazier has stepped it up and now has a slightly higher average and is about even in runs.  So although I love my hometown guy, I’ve got to give it to Frazier.

Honorable Mention: Matt Carpenter (St. Louis), Casey McGehee (Miami)

Catcher: Yadier Molina (St. Louis)

I dealt with this subject in my last entry.  Honestly, this is one of the most even positions.  Jonathan Lucroy leads Molina in the offensive categories, with Molina still putting up solid numbers.  But of any position, defense is important for catchers, and this is where Molina has a big advantage.  Lucroy has allowed 45 steals in 62 attempts.  Molina has had 34 stolen base attempts against him total, throwing out half.  So, I feel Molina is a better all-around player.

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Lucroy (Milwaukee), Devin Mesoraco (Cincinnati)

Outfield: Giancarlo Stanton (Miami), Andrew McCutcheon (Pittsburgh), Charlie Blackmon (Colorado)

Stanton was an easy pick.  He leads NL outfielders with 21 homeruns and 60 RBIs and 1run behind the NL leader.   McCutcheon  was also a fairly easy pick.  He leads with a .314 average, second with 24 doubles, is a smart basestealer (12 for 12) and is an impeccable defender.  The third spot was difficult to choose.  In the end I went with Blackmon.  He got off to the best start of any player and while he has slowed down he still has solid numbers.  He is among the leaders in hits, runs, RBIs and stolen bases. 

Honorable Mention: Carlos Gomez (Milwaukee), Yasiel Puig (Los Angeles), Hunter Pence (San Francisco)

Agree? Disagree? Let me know! I love debating this stuff.  Again, my AL starters will follow shortly.  I figured that would be too much to put into one entry.  Hope you enjoyed reading.  God Bless.

*stats as of 7/2/14