MLB All-Star Snubs, Surprises

With the thermostat getting cranked up here in Des Moines, its finally starting to feel like All-Star season in baseball.  Although the final tallies won't be released until Sunday night, MLB gave an update just a few days ago on who was leading the All-Star fan vote.  I thought it would be fun to take a look at the latest standings, and decide just how smart (or how stupid) the fans have been this season.

The standings: (as of June 28)

American League
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,779,592
Alex Avila, Tigers: 2,345,065
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,699,604


FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 4,014,722
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 3,077,242
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,184,480

SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 4,724,816
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,979,181
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,896,259


THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 3,735,406
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,935,373
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,724,286

SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,392,128
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,885,778
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,971,514


DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,237,014
Michael Young, Rangers: 2,235,504
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,453,385

OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,263,840
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 4,582,419
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,173,000
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 3,051,675
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 2,294,337
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,912,783

National League
CATCHER
Brian McCann, Braves: 3,062,884
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 2,271,887
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,849,984


FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 3,358,432
Prince Fielder, Brewers: 2,903,584
Joey Votto, Reds: 2,832,857


SECOND BASE
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 2,869,583
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 2,791,186
Chase Utley, Phillies: 2,406,965


THIRD BASE
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 3,261,718
Chipper Jones, Braves: 2,040,594
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,584,671


SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 2,955,609
Jose Reyes, Mets: 2,710,777
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 1,724,166


OUTFIELD
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 3,932,100
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 3,208,183
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 2,935,965
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 2,743,927
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 2,264,640
Jay Bruce, Reds: 2,119,267

Biggest "The Fans Got It Right" Pick: Jose Bautista, OF-Blue Jays
Thank god he's the top overall vote-getter.  He's unstoppable.  For those that thought last year was an aberration, you've been quickly silenced by another great campaign in 2011.  He's the cornerstone of a franchise that's finally starting to show some life north of the border, and the best hitter in the game this season.

Biggest "The fans obviously don't pay attention to this position" pick: SS, both AL and NL
Just because you might have taken Derek Jeter and Troy Tulowitzki in the first round of your fantasy league doesn't mean they are the best players at their position (thank goodness Hanley Ramirez didn't make the list).  In the NL, Jose Reyes is having the best season of any hitter- he leads the league in batting average, and is a triples and stolen base machine.  You kind of get the sense it might be a contract year for him... In the AL, Jeter gets the nod because of his name, but pay attention to #2 on the list -Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians.  He's a stud on defense, and can hit the ball for power and in the clutch.  He'll make the trip as a manager's selection, but should be the starter.  Truthfully, Jeter shouldn't even be in the top 3.

Biggest "Are these really the only guys that play this position?" spot: 3B- NL
Chipper Jones is my favorite player of all time.  Placido Polonco is a solid .300 hitter that you can count on every day.  Are either one of these two guys really All-Stars this year?  Look at the AL 3B situation- A-Rod, Beltre, Youk, the list goes on.  I guess with David Wright out with injury (he's 4th in votes by the way), it's a, "well, who the hell else plays this spot" kind of deal.

Biggest "I'm glad I play for a big market team" selection: Russell Martin, NY Yankees
Yeah, Alex Avila is the All-Star catcher in the AL.  No question.  Martin was great a few years ago, but he's been mediocre at best this season.  A close second is his teammate Jorge Posada.  The fact that fans think he's the third best DH in the AL is nuts.  He wasn't even hitting .200 for a good stretch of this season.

Biggest potential snub: Miguel Cabrera, 1B- Detroit Tigers
He's in third place because of the Boston/New York effect, and it's just a tough spot to get picked at.  Texiera and Gonzo have been top-notch hitters this year.  Cabrera is every bit as good, but may not get picked because 1B is such a deep position in the AL.  All three players deserve the selection. 

Biggest feel good selection: Lance Berkman, OF- Cardinals
What a year he's had.  If not for Berkman, the Cards would be long out of the race in the NL Central by now.  He had some rough years, playing through injury and criticism, but he's finally back where he belongs- soundly in a starting spot at the All-Star game.