2009 MLB All-Star Game: Carl Crawford Makes Leaping Catch To Rob Brad Hawpe Of A Home Run (Video)

Check out this sweet game saving catch by Carl Crawford in the All-Star Game to rob Brad Hawpe of a home run. The American League won AGAIN (4-3) and Crawford was named the MVP. The AL hasn't lost to the NL in the All-Star Game since 1996.

Prince Fielder Wins 2009 MLB Home Run Derby & 497 Foot Home Run (Video)

Prince Fielder aka Big Daddy, Jr. won the Home Run Derby last night by blasting 6 homers in the final round and he also hit a 497 foot home run in the earlier rounds.





More: MLB

Derek Jeter Introduced at 2008 MLB All-Star Game (Video)

Check out this fan video of Derek Jeter getting introduced at the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. Damn, I wonder what it must feel like to have 55,000-plus people chanting your name....

I wish MLB wasn't so stingy with the official videos though. They really don't understand how to market their game. I've been looking for the TV version of all the player introductions but haven't had any luck finding it yet.

More: MLB All-Star Game

2008 MLB All-Star Game Ending (Video)

Here is the video of the ending of the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. Michael Young hit a sac fly to score Justin Morneau.

2008 MLB All-Star Commercial (Video)

Here is the official commerical for the MLB All-Star Game.

Josh Hamilton Hits 28 Home Runs In the 1st Round of the Home Run Derby (Video)

If you don't believe that special things happen at Yankee Stadium after this, then I really don't know what else to tell you. How else can you explain someone hitting 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby? I remember back in the early 90's when guys like Frank Thomas hit 15 home runs and Cal Ripken, JR hit 12 home runs in a round and we thought that was a lot of home runs. Makes you wonder how juiced up these baseballs are.

The funny thing is Josh Hamilton didn't even win the Home Run Derby. He ended up losing in the final round to Justin Morneau, 5 to 3. If you ask me, they should carry the home runs over from round to round because the fact you can hit 28 home runs in one round and still lose is just ridiculous. Either way, it was a memorable night for baseball and for Josh Hamilton.

More: MLB All-Star Game

Evan Longoria & Corey Hart Win Fan All-Star Vote

The last two players have been selected to the MLB All-Star Game and the fans chose Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria and Milwaukee Brewers OF Corey Hart.

I don't have a problem with the selection of Evan Longoria because quite frankly he probably should have been chosen ahead of the current backup All Stars at 3B, Joe Crede of the Chicago White Sox and Carlos Guillen of the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately because of the poor selection of Crede, his own teammate Jermaine Dye got screwed out of a well deserved All-Star berth.

Here are Dye's numbers this season: .301/20 HR/53 RBI/.355 OBP/.550 SLG/136 OPS+

The National League Selection for the last player is just ridiculous. How so many people can vote for Corey Hart over Pat Burrell and David Wright is mind boggling to me. Check out the stats below and you can see that both Burrell and Wright are having much better seasons than Hart is:

Pat Burrell: .279/22 HR/54 RBI/69 BB/.412 OBP/.581 SLG/.993 OPS/155 OPS+
David Wright: .288/17 HR/70 RBI/10 SB/.386 OBP/.511 SLG/.897 OPS/139 OPS+
Corey Hart: .292/17 HR/57 RBI/13 SB/.332 OBP/.510 SLG/.842 OPS/118 OPS+

In fact, Pat Burrell is 4th in the NL and 5th in all of baseball with a .993 OPS(On Base + SLG) behind only Lance Berkman, Chipper Jones, and Albert Pujols. The fact that he was left off the All-Star team is pretty much a joke and it's even worse that the fans had a chance to vote him in and didn't. Fortunately for Pat Burrell, Alfonso Soriano is injured, so Manager Clint Hurdle has the opportunity to pick a replacement for him. If he does not pick Burrell as the replacement then it would be really be a shame.

Update: Pat Burrell got screwed again because Clint Hurdle named David Wright as Soriano's replacement.

More: MLB All-Star Game

National League All Star Selections

I already took a look at the American League All-Star Selections, now I will take a look at the National League All-Star Selections, including starters, reserves, and who got snubbed.

National League All-Stars

Catcher: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs, .289, 15 HR, 52 RBI, 132 OPS+

Reserves:
Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves, .293, 15 HR, 48 RBI, 137 OPS+
Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers, .305, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 9 SB, 122 OPS+

Snubbed:
Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants, .293, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 93 OPS+

Comments: Not much to argue about here because all 3 guys who made it are having great seasons for catchers. Molina is on pace for over 100 RBI as a catcher, so he is at least worthy of a mention as someone who in most years would probably be deserving of an All-Star selection.

First Base: Lance Berkman, Houston Astros, .349, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 12 SB, 188 OPS+

Reserves:
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, .350, 18 HR, 48 RBI, 188 OPS+
Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres, .284, 22 HR, 70 RBI, 138 OPS+

Snubbed:
Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs, .306, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 128 OPS+
Mark Texiera, Atlanta Braves, .276, 16 HR, 66 RBI, 132 OPS+

Comments: You can't go wrong with either Berkman or Pujols at 1B. Pujols will end up starting as the DH. Derrek Lee and Mark Texiera are having strong seasons but there is no room for them on this team, since the NL is stacked at 1B.

Second Base: Chase Utley. Philadelphia Phillies, .294, 24 HR, 67 RBI, 9 SB, 148 OPS+

Reserves:
Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins, .289, 23 HR, 58 RBI, 4 SB, 161 OPS+

Snubbed:
Mark DeRosa, Chicago Cubs, .292, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 119 OPS+
Orlando Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks, .302, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 113 OPS+
Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds, .292, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 18 SB, 113 OPS+

Comments: Believe it or not Dan Uggla is actually having a better season with the bat than Chase Utley, posting a 161 OPS+ compared to Utley's 148. This is another position in the NL that is loaded with talent, which would explain how Brandon Phillips gets left off despite being on pace for 25+ HR, 30+ SB, and 100+ RBI.

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins, .304, 21 HR, 43 RBI, 21 SB, 149 OPS+

Reserves:
Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros, .283, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 7 SB, 101 OPS+
Christian Guzman, Washington Nationals, .313, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 102 OPS+

Snubbed:
Jose Reyes, New York Mets, .297, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 31 SB, 124 OPS+
J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers, .295, 12 HR, 38 RBI, 124 OPS+

Comments: Hanley Ramirez is a beast but Miguel Tejada has no business playing in this game. Jose Reyes is having the best season of his career and should be in the All-Star Game instead of Tejada. I understand the selection of Guzman because the Nationals don't have anyone else who is worthy.

Third Base: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves, .388, 18 HR, 50 RBI, 199 OPS+

Reserves:
Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs, .283, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 127 OPS+

Snubbed:
David Wright, New York Mets, .286, 16 HR, 66 RBI, 9 SB, 135 OPS+

Comments: I'm not sure how David Wright gets left off here in favor of Aramis Ramirez. Wright has better numbers across the board and he also has more star power. I can't imagine Wright missing many more All-Star Games throughout his career. Wright will probably be voted in as the extra player though.

Outfield: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers, .284, 21 HR, 59 RBI, 8 SB, 124 OPS+
Outfield: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs, .283, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 7 SB, 124 OPS+
Outfield: Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago Cubs, .287, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 8 SB 112 OPS+

Reserves:
Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies, .343, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 11 SB, 152 OPS+
Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis Cardinals, .290, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 146 OPS+
Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh Pirates, .280, 15 HR, 56 RBI, 9 SB, 131 OPS+

Snubbed:
Pat Burrell, Philadelphia Phillies, .279, 21 HR, 53 RBI, 155 OPS+
Xavier Nady, Pittsburgh Pirates, .321, 12 HR, 53 RBI, 142 OPS+
Jason Bay, Pittsburgh Pirates, .285, 17 HR, 45 RBI, 6 SB, 142 OPS+,
Carlos Lee, Houston Astros, .292, 19 HR, 67 RBI, 128 OPS+

Comments: The NL Outfield is all screwed up. The three reserves are all having better seasons than the starters and Fukudome shouldn't even be an All-Star, nevermind a starting All-Star. Pat Burrell is having the best season of any NL OF with a 155 OPS+ and he wasn't even selected to the game. Burrell and David Wright are probably the biggest snubs in both leagues, luckily I think they will both end up playing in the All-Star Game, because I think Wright will win the last player vote and Burrell should be named as an injury replacement for Alfonso Soriano.

Pitcher: Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds, 11-3, 2.36 ERA, 116 K, 190 ERA+
Pitcher: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants, 10-1, 2.49 ERA, 122 K, 171 ERA+
Pitcher: Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks, 12-4, 3.43 ERA, 100 K, 132 ERA+
Pitcher: Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-5, 2.83, 103 K, 160 ERA+
Pitcher: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee Brewers, 10-2, 2.77 ERA, 97 K, 156 ERA+
Pitcher: Aaron Cook, Colorado Rockies, 11-6, 3.66 ERA, 64 K, 126 ERA+
Pitcher: Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, 9-3, 2.96 ERA, 73 K, 151 ERA+
Pitcher: Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs, 9-3, 3.24 ERA, 93 K, 138 ERA+
Pitcher: Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs, 4-2, 2.91 ERA, 22 SV, 154 ERA+
Pitcher: Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0, 1.00 ERA, 19 SV, 444 ERA+
Pitcher: Billy Wagner, New York Mets, 0-1, 2.31 ERA, 19 SV, 177 ERA+
Pitcher: Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants, 0-1, 4.37 ERA, 24 SV, 98 ERA+

Snubbed:
Johan Santana, New York Mets, 7-7, 2.96 ERA, 109 K, 138 ERA+
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, 9-5, 3.22 ERA, 110 K, 138 ERA+
Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta Braves, 8-4, 3.09 ERA, 75 K, 133 ERA+
Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-7, 3.12 ERA, 107 K, 141 ERA+
Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves, 9-6, 3.19 ERA, 73 K, 128 ERA+
Kyle Lohse, St. Louis Cardinals, 10-2, 3.61 ERA, 56 K, 117 ERA+

Comments: There is no way that Brian Wilson should be an All-Star over Johan Santana and Cole Hamels. Who would have thought when the Mets made the trade for Santana that he wouldn't even make the All-Star team? In fact, Clint Hurdle had a chance to pick Santana and went with Billy Wagner instead, not sure what he was thinking with that one. Hurdle also went with his own guy, Aaron Cook, over Santana and Hamels.

More: American League All-Star Selections

American League All-Star Selections

The MLB All-Star Selections were named today, so I will take a look at who was voted in as a starter, who was named as a reserve, and who got snubbed. I am doing a separate post for the American and National League.

American League All-Stars


Catcher: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, .325, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 139 OPS+

Reserves:
Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox, .219, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 73 OPS+
Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay Rays, .318, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 118 OPS+

Snubbed:
A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox, .299, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 106 OPS+

Comments: Either the players who voted Jason Varitek into the All-Star Game love him, or they really hate A.J. Pierzynski because there is no way Varitek should be an All-Star. He might be the worst All-Start selection ever.

First Base: Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox, .308, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 137OPS+

Reserves:
Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins, .310, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 134 OPS+

Snubbed:
Jason Giambi, New York Yankees, .259, 18 HR, 53 RBI, 150 OPS+

Comments: I would have went with Morneau over Youkilis because he has more star power but I can't really argue with the selection of Youkilis. Giambi has a case to be an All-Star but I don't have a problem with him being left off because there really wasn't a spot for him.

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox, .313, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 9 SB, 114 OPS+

Reserves:
Iam Kinsler, Texas Rangers, .328, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 23 SB, 148 OPS+

Snubbed:
Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles, .293, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 22 SB, 128 OPS+

Comments: Pedroia can thank Red Sox Nation for stuffing the ballots because he has no business starting in this game over Ian Kinsler, who has been great this season. Brian Roberts actually has a higher OPS+ than Pedroia as well, so it's possible Pedroia doesn't even belong in the All-Star Game.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, .282, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 5 SB, 97 OPS+

Reserves:
Michael Young, Texas Rangers, .292, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 5 SB, 105 OPS+

Snubbed:
Nobody

Comments: Yeah, Michael Young is having a better season than Derek Jeter, but it's not by much and it's not like Young is having a once in a lifetime season either. Since the All-Star Game is in New York, I have no problem with Jeter getting the nod here to start.

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees, .320, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 13 SB, 167 OPS+

Reserves:
Joe Crede, Chicago White Sox, .260, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 113 OPS+
Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers, .292, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 7 SB, 119 OPS+

Snubbed:
Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays, .281, 15 HR, 50 RBI, 6 SB, 136 OPS+
Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox, .302, 13 HR, 54 RBI, 130 OPS+

Comments: Joe Crede and Carlos Guillen should not be playing in this game. Both Evan Longoria and Mike Lowell are having far better seasons than Crede & Guillen. I would probably give the nod to Longoria because the Rays are in first place and have the best record in baseball and the Red Sox have more than enough representatives. I'm not sure why Terry Francona picked Carlos Guillen over Magglio Ordonez or even Miguel Cabrera as the Tigers representative.

Outfield: Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, .279, 16 HR, 53 RBI, 128 OPS+
Outfield: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, .307, 19 HR, 83 RBI, 142 OPS+
Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners, .304, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 34 SB 103 OPS+

Reserves:
Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, .273, 19 HR, 61 RBI, 5 SB, 134 OPS+
J.D. Drew, Boston Red Sox, .304, 16 HR, 51 RBI, 156 OPS+
Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians, .266, 22 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB, 140 OPS+

Snubbed:
Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox, .308, 19 HR, 52 RBI, 140 OPS+
Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers, .307, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 131 OPS+
Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles, .293, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 8 SB, 131 OPS+,

Comments: Ichiro really shouldn't be playing in the All-Star Game but he probably would have been the Mariners representative no matter what, so I don't think he is taking anyones spot. Jermaine Dye needs to be in this game though and I would encourage everyone to vote for him as the player to get the last spot in the AL. He will be getting my vote.

Designated Hitter: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, .252, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 118 OPS+

Reserves:
Milton Bradley, Texas Rangers, .320, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 177 OPS+

Snubbed:
Nobody

Comments: Since David Ortiz is injured, Milton Bradley will get to start at DH, and he should be starting because he has been the best offensive player in the AL this year. He leads all AL batters with a 177 OPS+.

Pitcher: Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays, 7-3, 2.63 ERA, 75 K, 155 ERA+
Pitcher: Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians, 11-1, 2.26 ERA, 93 K, 184 ERA+
Pitcher: Justin Duchscherer, Oakland A's, 9-5, 1.96 ERA, 59 K, 194 ERA+
Pitcher: Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays, 10-6, 2.88, 113 K, 140 ERA+
Pitcher: Joe Saunders, LA Angels, 12-4, 3.04 ERA, 58 K, 134 ERA+
Pitcher: Ervin Santana, LA Angels, 9-3, 3.28 ERA, 106 K, 125 ERA+
Pitcher: Francisco Rodriguez, LA Angels, 0-1, 1.93 ERA, 34 SV, 212 ERA+
Pitcher: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, 2-3, 1.17 ERA, 23 SV, 344 ERA+
Pitcher: Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals, 0-1, 1.22 ERA, 23 SV, 349 ERA+
Pitcher: Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins, 0-0, 1.26 ERA, 24 SV, 311 ERA+
Pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox, 3-2, 2.19 ERA, 25 SV, 196 ERA+
Pitcher: George Sherrill, Baltimore Orioles, 2-3, 3.62 ERA, 27 SV, 115 ERA+

Snubbed:
Mike Mussina, New York Yankees, 11-6, 3.64 ERA, 63 K, 111 ERA+
Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox, 7-3, 3.21 ERA, 76 K, 133 ERA+
Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox, 9-1, 3.12 ERA, 65 K, 135 ERA+
Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox, 10-5, 3.22 ERA, 73 K, 133 ERA+

More: National League All-Star Selections

MLB All-Star Selections - National League

I already posted my American League All-Star Selections to date and I finally got around to picking my National League All-Star selections. Remember, these selections are made as of right now and I will probably change my picks about a week or two before the voting ends.

There are some players having some monster seasons in the NL and it was tough at some positions to choose who should be the pick but here are my finals selections:

National League:


C: Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves, .303, 12 HR, 37 RBI, 152 OPS+

Comments: I was all set to pick Geovany Soto as my catcher until I went through all the teams and saw that Brian McCann was playing even better than Soto. I had no idea McCann was having such a good season. I was surprised to see Bengie Molina hitting .340 as well. Russell Martin deserves some mention too.

Next in line: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs, .284, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 134 OPS+, and Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants, .340, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 123 OPS+


1B: Lance Berkman, Houston Astros, .374, 17 HRs, 48 RBI, 10 SB, 207 OPS+

Comments: It was really tough to not pick Albert Pujols because he is one of the best hitters in the game and he is having a monster year but Berkman is no slouch either and I couldn't deny someone who has a 207 OPS+. Adrian Gonzalez would probably be the starter if he were in the AL but in the NL he's a distant third. Also, since this game is in Yankee Stadium in the AL, then Pujols would be my choice to be the starting DH.

Next in line: Albert Pujols, St Louis Cardinals, .352, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 190 OPS+ and Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres, .293, 17 HR, 56 RBI, 146 OPS+


2B: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies, .317, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 6 SB, 170 OPS+

Comments: Chase Utley is having an amazing season especially for a second basemen. Part of me has to wonder how much his stats are inflated because he plays in Citizens Bank Park but his stats are still amazing regardless. What might surprise people even more is that Dan Uggla of the Florida Marlins is having just a good of a season as Utley is. Here we have another case where the backup would be starting in the AL. Orlando Hudson, Brandon Phillips, and Mark DeRosa would be next in line but don't even come close to Uggla and Utley.

Next in line: Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins, .305, 18 HR, 41 RBI, 170 OPS+


SS: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins, .294, 12 HR, 27 RBI, 15 SB, 134 OPS+

Comments: Hanley Ramirez is the easy pick here even though he's not quite having as good of a season so far as he did last year. Jose Reyes has picked it up as of late and is next in line here. Rafael Furcal would have had a good chance at being the starter if he didn't get hurt.

Next in line: Jose Reyes, New York Mets, .287, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 21 SB, 119 OPS+


3B: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves, .420, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 212 OPS+

Comments: Chipper Jones is the obvious pick at Third Base. Any time you are hitting .420 this late in the season, you have to be starting in the All-Star Game. David Wright and Aramis Ramirez are both having solid seasons but have no chance to catch Chipper here.

Next in line: David Wright, New York Mets, .285, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 8 SB, 133 OPS+ and Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs, .298, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 136 OPS+


OF: Pat Burrell, Philadelphia Phillies, .281, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 156 OPS+
OF: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs, .281, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 6 SB, 121 OPS+

OF: Ryan Ludwick, St Louis Cardinals, .310, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 166 OPS+

Comments: The National League Outfield was probably the toughest for me to pick out of all the positions for both the AL and NL. There really aren't any perennial All-Star Outfielders in the NL that are having big years and most of the guys who are playing the best are guys who really haven't performed at such a high level before. There really aren't any clear cut picks. I stuck Soriano in there mostly because of his star power and I gave the nod to Pat Burrell over Nate McLouth because Burrell has more of a track record than McLouth and is having his best season to date. Ludwick gets in because he is having the best season of any NL Outfielder. My NL OF selections are probably the most likely to change in the next few weeks before the voting ends.

Next in line: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers, .291, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 129 OPS+, Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh Pirates, .308, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 6 SB, 157 OPS+, Jason Bay, Pittsburgh Pirates, .290, 14 HR, 32 RBI, 150 OPS+, Aaron Rowand, San Francisco Giants, .328, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 140 OPS+, and Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies, .321, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 140 OPS+

DH: Albert Pujols, St Louis Cardinals, .352, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 190 OPS+

Comments: You can't actually vote for a DH in the NL and the NL manager will get to pick the DH. Since I have Berkman as my First Basemen, then I am going with Pujols at the DH.

SP: Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds, 8-2, 1.32 ERA, 91 K, 333 ERA+

Comments: While it was tough to not choose Brandon Webb as my pitcher, Edinson Volquez made it alot easier with the season he is having so far. Volquez has put up some Pedro Martinez like numbers so far and leads the majors in both ERA and Strike Outs. Unless he gets shelled in his next few starts before the All-Star break, then I am going with Volquez as my starter. Tim Linecum is also next in line. After these three guys there is somewhat of a drop off.

Next in line: Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks, 11-2, 2.58 ERA, 75 SO, 172 ERA+ and Tim Linecum, San Francisco Giants, 8-1, 2.15 ERA, 83 K, 194 ERA+


A couple more things I noticed when researching the stats for this post:

- Who would have thought that the Pittsburgh Pirates would have the best hitting OF in baseball? Here are the stats for their three Outfielders this season: Nate McLouth, .308, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 6 SB, 157 OPS+, Jason Bay, .290, 14 HR, 32 RBI, 150 OPS+, & Xavier Nady, .320, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 138 OPS+.

- The Phillies bullpen has been impressive this year, especially Brad Lidge. Left for dead the last few years after his struggles, Lidge has been excellent this season as the Phillies closer, with 16 saves, a 1.00 ERA, and a 435 ERA+. The Phillies only have one starting pitcher performing above league average, so their bullpen and offense has been carrying them this season.

- People continue to call for Willie Randolph's head but the fact of the matter is he is coaching a Mets club that is vastly overrated. The team is performing below average on offense with a 97 OPS+ and pitching with a 99 OPS+. Sounds more like a roster issue than a coaching issue.

- The Washington Nationals are by far the worst hitting team in the NL and barely beat out the Royals for worst hitting team in the whole majors. They sport a pathetic 77 OPS+, which is 23 OPS points below a league average offense. The also sport the lowest Slugging % in the majors at .347

MLB All-Star Selections - American League

Since the MLB All-Star Game is only a little over a month away, I am going to post my All-Star picks every so often. I'm going to break these down into two posts, one for the American League and one for the National League because I'm sure I'm going to have a lot to say and I don't want the post to be too long.

I'm starting off the American League, which this season actually looks like the weaker league talent wise. Just so you know, when things are close between two players I always go with the guy who's been there before. Basically, I feel like someone has to really be having an outstanding season in order for them to take a proven All-Star's spot.

American League:


C: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, .324, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 132 OPS+

Comments: Joe Mauer is an easy selection at catcher in the AL. You would like to see a little more power from Mauer, but you can't argue with the .324 batting average. A.J. Pierzynski is having a solid season and is next in line, then you probably would have to go with Jason Varitek after that.

Next in line: A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox, .298, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 114 OPS+


1B: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins, .302, 10 HRs, 42 RBI, 140 OPS+

Comments: This was a tough one for me between Morneau and Kevin Youkilis but Morneau is a former MVP and has a slightly higher OPS+ than Youkilis. I'm sure by the time the All-Star Game comes around, one of these two will distinguish themselves as the pick. Jason Giambi is in the discussion thanks to his power numbers and patience at the plate which has inflated his OPS+ pretty nicely.

Next in line: Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox, .305, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 139 OPS+ and Jason Giambi, New York Yankees, .253, 11 HR, 29 RBI, 149 OPS+


2B: Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers, .309, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 16 SB, 125 OPS+

Comments: As you would expect, second base is a pretty weak position offensively and Kinsler is by far the most productive one. If Roberts can get his average up then I would probably go with him because he is more experienced than Kinsler, but Kinsler is certainly deserving. Mark Ellis, Placido Polanco, and Dustin Pedroia are all lurking in mediocrity right now as the next in line after that.

Next in line: Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles, .265, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 16 SB, 114 OPS+


SS: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, .282, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 100 OPS+

Comments: I'm sure I will catch some heat for picking Jeter here but like I said I tend to lean towards veterans who have been to multiple All-Star Games unless someone is having an outstanding season. There really is no other SS in the AL who is playing great and I'm giving Jeter the benefit of the doubt that he will pick things up before the All-Star Game.

Next in line: Michael Young , Texas Rangers, .294, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 112 OPS+


3B: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees, .294, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 150 OPS+

Comments: This one is pretty much a no-brainer because A-Rod doesn't have much competition at 3B right now. Mike Lowell is probably next in line and Scott Rolen and Carlos Gullien are hanging around too.

Next in line: Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox, .284, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 122 OPS+


OF: Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, .295, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 140 OPS+
OF: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, .329, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 171 OPS+
OF: Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, .295 15 HR, 50 RBI, 164 OPS+

Comments: I'm sorry but as long as Manny Ramirez is a productive hitter, then he is getting my All-Star vote every year. The other two guys are pretty much no-brainers because they are having MVP type seasons right now. Next in line are B.J. Upton and Magglio Ordonez, with Grady Sizemore lurking in the wings. Jack Cust also deserves some mention because he has a 143 OPS+ and a .411 OBP due to his league leading 44 walks.

Next in line: B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Rays, .307, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 16 SB, 136 OPS+, Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers, .318, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 145 OPS+, Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians, .257, 11 HR, 30 RBI, 14 SB, 129 OPS+, and Jack Cust, Oakland A's, .250, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 143 OPS+


DH: Milton Bradley, Texas Rangers, .323, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 178 OPS+

Comments: This should be a good battle down the stretch between Bradley and Matsui to see who gets my All-Star vote. While Matsui is certainly deserving of the spot, I just can't deny Bradley's 178 OPS+. That quite simply is an MVP type offensive level OPS+ and that's why he gets the nod. David Ortiz would be in the conversation too but since he is hurt now, he won't have much chance to improve his numbers but he is still worth a mention.

Next in line: Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees, .332, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 144 OPS+, David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, .252, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 123 OPS+


SP: Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians, 8-1, 1.88 ERA, 57 K, 224 ERA+

Comments: Cliff Lee has been the best pitcher in the AL since the season began so it should be no surprise he is my starting pitcher right now. Next in line is Dice-K but he's injured right now, so he won't have a chance to be my pick. Joe Saunders and Roy Halladay have been strong so far this season as well. If Halladay can string together a few more solid outings and get to 10+ wins by the break, I might be tempted to go with him as my pick.

Next in line: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox, 8-0, 2.53 ERA, 55 SO, 171 ERA+, Joe Saunders, LA Angels, 9-2, 2.63 ERA, 39 K, 156 ERA+, and Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays, 7-5, 2.94 ERA, 74 K, 139 ERA+


A couple more things I noticed when researching the stats for this post:

- The AL is really weak offensively up the middle right now with most of the starters sporting OPS+ figures below the league average of 100. Tony Pena of the Kansas City Royals is the worst offender with his 2 OPS+.

- Vlad Guerrero is having a sub-par season this year so far hitting only .249 with 7 HR, 29 RBI, and a 101 OPS+. Vlad is a career .322 hitter so to see him struggling early on is surprising.

- Mariano Rivera has been ridiculous this season posting an ERA+ of 1133. Basically, he's been 11 times better than the average pitcher in the major leagues.

- The pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox is really damn good. The Blue Jays have an ERA+ of 123 and the White Sox sports 128 ERA+. The next closest team is the Tampa Rays with a 112 ERA+. The Blue Jays also have FOUR relief pitchers with sub-2.00 ERA's.