National League Roster

Starting Lineup

C: Russell Martin LAD

Martin is the clear-cut starter in the National League. He leads all National League catchers in every offensive category and even has shown speed with double-digit stolen bases. His offensive prowess is his most known strength, but his throwing behind the plate has been solid this season with the third best caught stealing percentage in the NL at 34%. He has also made his pitching staff better and owns the best catcher’s ERA in the NL. By far Martin has been the best catcher in the National League.

1B: Prince Fielder MIL

Fielder has burst onto the national scene this season leading the National League in home runs and near the top in RBIs while still maintaining a very respectable batting average. Fielder is now one of the top sluggers in all of the majors and will be for many years to come. As he develops throughout his career, he will undoubtedly make many more all-star teams.

2B: Chase Utley PHI

Utley had a lot to live up to after signing his gigantic contract with the Phillies in the off-season. Utley has indeed earned his contract this season with tremendous production numbers. He is another player this season who has been able to put up power numbers and drive in a ton of RBIs while still maintaining a very high average. There has been a revolution of hitting middle infielders this last decade and Utley might take that trend to the next level. Utley has had 100 RBI seasons the last two seasons and is on pace to drive in an amazing 120 runs this season. Utley might be able to lock up this starting spot for a long time.

3B: Miguel Cabrera FLA

Cabrera has been considered one of, if not the best young hitter in the game. Now people may start mentioning Cabrera’s name among the best hitters young and old. If Cabrera was with a legitimate contender, his name would be all over everyones preseason MVP list. He is one of the best all-around hitters in the National League and has continued to put up great numbers this season leading all NL third basemen in every offensive category.

SS: J.J. Hardy MIL

This was the most difficult selection to make with all of the great shortstops in the National League this season, but with his power numbers so much higher than the other options, Hardy gets the nod. Hardy’s slugging percentage is much higher than all of the other contenders and his average is above .280. Hardy had a small rough stretch in the first half, but has still put up all-star starter quality numbers.

OF: Matt Holiday COL

Holiday is having the best season of any player you don’t know about. He has been leading his surprisingly hot Rockies this season and has done it in many areas. He can drive in runs with the best of them and is near the league lead in that category. He also has double digit numbers and can give his team some necessary power when needed. His best statistic this season is his hit total and batting average. He has been at or near the league lead in hits all season and his tremendous .349 is impressing a lot of teams around the league. Holiday has earned this starting spot.

OF: Ken Griffey Jr. CIN

The man with the sweetest swing in baseball is back to himself this season and is putting up all-star numbers. When you are near .300 in batting average, have 20+ home runs and are near 50 RBIs at the all-star break, there is no doubt you should be an all-star. When you are putting up those numbers as a 37-year old outfielder, it is simply astounding. It will be great to see this future hall of famer in the mid-summer classic once more.

OF: Carlos Lee HOU

As one of the biggest free-agent signings this off-season, Lee had extreme pressure on him to continue is great power numbers with the Astros. The Astros have been struggling mightily this season, but Lee has been one of the few bright spots. He has held the league lead in RBIs almost the entire season and has done so with little protection in the Astros lineup with most of the other sluggers struggling. His hot bat may not lift the Astros from near the cellar in the central, but it may lift the National League to a victory.  

SP: Jake Peavy SD

After a struggle in 2006 with a 4.09 ERA, Peavy has been the leader of a very impressive pitching staff in San Diego. He has always shown signs of dominance, but this year has been the year when he has been able to put everything together and become the Cy Young caliber pitcher he could be. His amazing 4 to 1 walk to strikeout ratio might be the key to his success. If Peavy can stay healthy, there is no doubt he has a legitimate chance at having his first 20-win season.

Bench

C: Bengie Molina SF, 1B: Albert Pujols STL, 1B: Adrian Gonzalez SD, 1B: Dmitri Young WAS

2B: Orlando Hudson ARI, 3B: Aramis Ramirez CHC, SS: Jimmy Rollins PHI, SS: Edgar Renteria ATL

SS: Jose Reyes NYM, OF: Eric Byrnes ARI, OF: Barry Bonds SF

Pitching Staff

SP: Chris Young SD, SP: Brad Penny LAD, SP: Cole Hamels PHI, SP: Ben Sheets MIL,

SP: Derek Lowe LAD, SP: John Smoltz ATL, SP: Aaron Harang CIN, SP: Ian Snell PIT

P: Takashi Saito LAD, P: Brian Fuentes COL, P: Jose Valverde ARI, P: Francisco Cordero MIL

American League   National League