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Saturday, July.06/2013

Citi Field is one of the newest Ball Parks in the Majors and will be host to the 2013 ALL – Star Game. It is light years ahead of where Shea Stadium was. The home club should have the Starting Pitcher and Third Baseman for the NL, who else will be picked for the NL and AL – will all be revealed in a matter of hours. MLB Reports gave its candidates and choices in this blog.  Citi Field also modified its fences last year in hopes of hosting this event.  This is the RF cavernous portion that used to be what Right Field was.  I took this photo in 2009 – during its 1st season in existence.

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

I am doing this list based solely on whether the player is a viable candidate or not.  I don’t care if the fans vote someone else in – although they have done a decent job.

This website’s stance on Yasiel Puig is known by know – if you are reading this for the 1st time.  We feel the man belongs based on his numbers.  He has numbers comparable to Bryce Harper – and his BA and OPS is far above and beyond.

In a recent article our Dodgers Correspondent Follow @eriqwiththeq also mentioned Hanley Ramirez deserves a shot to make the team.

Ordinarily, I would say no – but Troy Tulowitzki is hurt.

Han- Ram might be a victim of all teams needing to be represented as the Padres best candidate is definitely Everth Cabrera – unless Bochy takes Jason Marquis to replace him.

I think behind Bochy should take Ramirez behind David Wright and Pedro Alvarez at 3B.  With Segura, Cabrera and Desmond taking spots at SS.

Strasburg has pitched like an ace, unfortunately he has not been giving any run support. As we near the All – Star Selection, he is 4 – 6 and a 2.24 ERA in 100 IP.  He belongs in the ALL – Star Game and could be one of the many pitchers that are used out of the Bullpen that are Starting Pitchers.  Teammate Jordan Zimmermann should also make the club for pitching.

The Nationals team is a weird one.  Strasburg has a 2.24 ERA, yet hasn’t had any run support.  I still think you pick him for the ALL – Star Game if you are trying to win it.

The Mariners will probably only send one of Hernandez or Iwakuma even though they both deserve to go. Ibanez may even have a shot as an extra DH.

The Bucs should really have 3 Pitchers go to this game, however I think Melancon and potentially Locke will be left at home.

Obviously only 34 players will be chosen for both of the National League and American League.

Josh Donaldson could be a hard luck loser to – being behind Miggy, Longoria, Beltre and Machado.  Longo or Beltre may also have to sit this one out.  It depends on what Ray makes the ALL – Star Game.   Having a DH position spot for one of those guys is also a thought.

Justin Upton came to Atlanta a year after finishing 2012 with .280/.355/.430 slash line and only 17 HRs. As of the 1st week of May, he was .278/.380/1.037 – with 12 HRs and 21. For his efforts, Justin Upton was our NL Hitter of the Month. Since that time, he has wallowed in poor numbers like his brother B.J. It would be too bad if the fans voted him in.

I wish that Justin Upton will not make the ALL – Star squad by Fans Voting – because he simply has been horrible since May 1st.

Howie Kendrick is going to have an uphill battle knocking out the likes of Pedroia, Cano and Kipnis as a reserve.  It is the same reason why I believe that the Astros will be represented by Bud Norris.

The AL Shortstop race sees some of the worst numbers.  J.J. Hardy looks to be voted in.  While Lowrie has had a good half with the A’s, Peralta will likely get the back up nod.  I would only pick 2 at SS and have one extra DH’s.

If Nick Markakis gets voted in, the O’s could rival the Tigers for ALL – Star Selections. If Markakis doesn’t win the fan vote, than all of my selections will probably make it.

Alex Gordon was playing ALL – Star ball until recently.  While Ervin Santana has good numbers, I think Greg Holland should be the teams rep.

KC, SD and HOU are the three teams who really should not have had a representative in the games.

I am not sure if Jesse Crain will be selected to the team for the AL either, but he has been the best reliever in the AL – that is not a closer.  I think Sale will be the sole Pale Hose player to be in New York.

I have only listed 41 NL candidates and 7 spots need to be taken away.  A lot of it depends on Justin Upton.  Ryu might not make it off of LAD,  Hanley Ramirez will most likely be left off.  Jonathan Papelbon will be caught in a numbers game amongst Philly players already going.

Either Gregg or Wood could make it which leaves the other one left out.  The Pirates will probably miss out on Locke and Melancon – along with Rex Brothers, will probably get the shaft.  One of the Reds Starting Pitchers will be jousted too initially.

Again, some of the Pitchers may make it on after the teams decide to pitch them on too close to the game.

If Puig is put on the final ballot, he will make it.

Team Candidates/How many will make it and League selection.

The AL selections were way harder to come up with. The extra DH position should come in handy for that extra 3B or 1B who deserves to make the club.

AL EAST

New York Yankees (2) 2 of 2 (2)

Mariano Rivera RP:  1.44 ERA 28 SV.   1 Pitcher

Robinson Cano 2B:  .292 BA 20 HR 57 RBI

Boston Red Sox (4) ALL 3 – Buchholz will be named and opt out.

Dustin Pedroia 2B:  .323, 5 HRs, 49 RBI, 109 Hits, 13 SB:

David Ortiz DH:  .321, 17 HRs 61 RBI:

Jacoby Ellsbury OF:  .304, 30 SB:

Clay Buchholz* SP: 9 – 0, 1.71 ERA

* Injured and may skip

Toronto Blue Jays (2) 2 of 2

Edwin Encarnacion 1B: .269, 23 HRs 66 RBI: 1st 1B

Jose Bautista OF: .262, 20 HR, 52 RBI and 59 Runs:

Tampa Bay Rays (2) Moore may be out – depends who is staring late before the ASG,

Evan Longoria 3B:  .295, 17 HRs and 49 RBI:

Matt Moore SP:  11 – 3. 3.65 ERA: 2nd Pitcher

Baltimore Orioles (4) They should all make it.

Chris Davis 1B:  .325, 32 HR and 83 RBI:

Adam Jones OF:  .287, 15 HR and 59 RBI:

Manny Machado 3B:  .316, 6 HRs, 42 RBI and 38 Doubles:

J.J. Hardy SS:  .254, 15 HRs and 46 RBI:

AL CENTRAL

Detroit Tigers (5) ALL 5 should make it – Fielder could always DH.

Miguel Cabrera 3B:  .361, 26 HRs and 86 RBI

Prince Fielder 1B: .267, 14 HRs and 65 RBI

Justin Verlander SP: 9 – 5, 3.54 ERA: 3rd pitcher

Max Scherzer SP: 13 – 0, 3.09 ERA: 4th pitcher

Jhonny Peralta SS: .306, 7 HRs and 40 RBI

Cleveland Indians (2) 2 of 2

Jason Kipnis 2B:  .300, 13 HRs, 54 RBI and 19 SB

Justin Masterson SP: 10 – 7. 3.78 ERA: 5th pitcher

Chicago White Sox (2) Crain is out – so 1 of 2

Chris Sale SP: 5 – 7, 2.79 ERA and 114 SO

Jesse Crain RP: 0.74 ERA in 39 Appearances

Minnesota Twins (2) Sorry Perk…1 of 2

Joe Mauer 1B/C: .329., 8 HRs, 29 RBI and 100 Hits

Glen Perkins CL: 1.99 ERA and 20 SV

Kansas City Royals (3) 1 of 3 will make it.

Alex Gordon OF:  .292, 8 HRs and 46 RBI (only because of every team represented).

Greg Holland CL: 1.97 ERA, 19 SV (only because of every team represented).

Ervin Santana SP: 5 – 5, 2.84 ERA (only because of every team represented).

AL WEST

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2) Sorry Mr. Kendrick – too many good 2B’s in the AL – and not enough power for DH.

Howie Kendrick 2B:  .317. 10 HRs and 39 RBI

Mike Trout OF: .315, 13 HRs, 55 RBI, 108 Hits and 20 SB

Texas Rangers (4) Beltre maybe considered for the DH slot (3 out of 4)

Adrian Beltre 3B: .307, 17 HRs and 46 RBI

Nelson Cruz OF: .268, 21 HRs and 65 RBI

Yu Darvish SP:  8 – 3, 2.78 ERA and 151 SO: 6th Pitcher

Joe Nathan CL: 1.43 ERA and 28 SV

Houston Astros (1) 1 of 2

Jose Altuve 2B: .287 BA with 19 SB (I think he will be left out because of the 2B spot being too deep.)

Bud Norris SP: 6 – 7, with a 3.22 ERA ( only because of 1 Astros representative like Altuve). (7th Pitcher)

Seattle Mariners (3) Only the King will make it

Raul Ibanez DH/OF:  .257, 21 HRs and 49 RBI

Hisashi Iwakuma SP: 7 -4, 2.60 ERA

Felix Hernandez SP: 8 – 4, 2.69 ERA (8th Pitcher)

Oakland Athletics (4)  2 out of the 4 will make it – Lowrie and Colon

Josh Donaldson 3B:  .313, 14 HRs and 55 RBI

Bartolo Colon SP: 11 – 3. 2.78 ERA (9th Pitcher)

Jed Lowrie SS: .297. 5 HRs and 34 RBI

Grant Balfour CL: 1.82 ERA and 22 Straight Saves (40 since last year)

The OF positions were the hardest to fill out. Will Yasiel Puig be given a chance to make the club?  If not, the game is still an exhibition.  Injuries will also play a factor. I thought hard and long about Andrew Mccutchen and Gerardo Parra. In the end, I passed on them since multiple players are already representing their clubs.  I think they are a few pitchers I selected that will be left behind too out of Ryu, Leake and Latos

NL EAST

Philadelphia Phillies (3) Papelbon may sit it out

Domonic Brown OF:  .279, 22 HRs and 60 RBI

Cliff Lee SP:  10 – 2, 2.73 ERA – Pitcher 1

Jonathan Papelbon CL: 1.87 and 18 SV

Washington Nationals (4) 4 of 4

Ian Desmond SS: .283, 15 HRs, 49 RBI, 23 2B and 10 SB

Bryce Harper OF: .260, 13 HRs and 25 RBI (in just 169 AB)

Jordan Zimmermann SP: 12 – 3, 2.46 ERA: 2nd pitcher

Stephen Strasburg SP: 4 – 6, 2.24 ERA: 3rd pitcher

Atlanta Braves (2) 2 of 2 (depends on fan vote for Justin Upton)

Freddie Freeman 1B: .309, 9 HRs and 56 RBI

Craig Kimbrel CL: 1.72 ERA and 23 SV: 4th pitcher

Miami Marlins (1) only to make it

Jose Fernandez SP: 5 – 4. 2.72 ERA (5th Pitcher)

New York Mets (2) 2 of 2 Hometown boys both in the Starting Lineup?

David Wright 3B: .305, 13 HRs, 43 RBI and 14 SB

Matt Harvey SP: 7 – 2, 2.27 ERA and 141 SO: Should be the ASG NL Starter (6th Pitcher)

NL CENTRAL

Cincinnati Reds (5) (3 will make it) Bruce may be left off and one of the Pitchers.

Joey Votto 1B:  .325 BA, .433 OBP, 15 HRs, 40 RBI and 59 Runs

Brandon Phillips 2B:  .265, 12 HRs and 63 RBI

Jay Bruce OF: .272, 18 HRs, 25 2B and 57 RBI

Mat Latos SP: 7 – 2, 3.03 ERA (7)

Mike Leake SP: 7 – 4, 2.73 ERA

Milwaukee Brewers (2) 2 of 2

Jean Segura SS: .322, 11 HRs, 109 Hits, 26 SB and 33 RBI

Carlos Gomez OF: .319, 13 HRs, 41 RBI and 18 SB

Chicago Cubs (1) only one guy makes it – 1 of 2

Kevin Gregg CL: 1.59 ERA and 14 SV (only because of the team representative)

Travis Wood SP: 5 – 6, 2.69 ERA (only because of the team representative) (8th Pitcher)

Pittsburgh Pirates (4) only Alvarez and Grilli make it (2)

Pedro Alvarez 3B: .243, 21 HRs and 56 RBI

Jeff Locke SP: 8 – 1, 2.12 ERA

Jason Grilli CL:  2.15 ERA and 28 SV (9th Pitcher)

Mark Melancon RP: 0.87 ERA in 42 Appearances

St. Louis Cardinals (5) 5 of 5

Allen Craig 1B: .325. 10 HRs and 68 RBI

Carlos Beltran OF: .305, 19 HRs and 50 RBI

Yadier Molina C: .346, 6 HRs and 45 RBI

Matt Carpenter 2B:  .320, 8 HRs, 36 RBI and 64 Runs

Adam Wainwright SP: 11 – 5, 2.36 ERA

NL WEST

San Francisco Giants (2) 2 of 2

Buster Posey C: .310, 12 HRs and 48 RBI

Marco Scutaro 2B: .313, 89 Hits in 72 GP

San Diego Padres (1)

Everth Cabrera OF: .300, 31 SB (because every team needs a rep)

Arizona DiamondBacks (2) both should make it

Paul Goldschmidt 1B: .304, 20 HRs and 71 RBI

Patrick Corbin SP: 9 – 1, 2.49 ERA (10th Pitcher)

Colorado Rockies (4) 2 of 4 I hope Rexy makes the distance to New York – I think he is shutout

Carlos Gonzalez OF: .295, 23 HRs and 62 RBI

Troy Tulowitzki* SS: .347, 16 HRs and 51 RBI

Michael Cuddyer OF: .342, 15 HRs and 52 RBI

Rex Brothers RP: 1.02 ERA in 38 Appearances

***Tulo is hurt and will sit it out.

Los Angeles Dodgers (5) 3 of 5 – Ryu and Ramirez left off.  Ryu could be an injury replacement.

Yasiel Puig OF: .420, 8 HRs, 50 Hits and 19 RBI in 30 Games Played.

Hanley Ramirez SS: .413, 7 HRs and 20 RBI in 92 AB

Adrian Gonzalez 1B: .300, 13 HRs and 53 RBI

Clayton Kershaw SP: 7 – 5, 1.93 ERA and 126 SO (11th Pitcher)

Hyun-jin Ryu  SP:  7 – 3, 2.82 ERA

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners***

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