My all-star ballot

With all-star voting closing two days ago, the prolonged and confusing system of voting in the game's top players finally came to a close. The all-star game has become something of an enigma, with no obvious rhyme or reasoning. Commissioner Bud Selig changed the format to make it competitive, with the winner of the all-star game gaining home field advantage for that season's World Series. This new dimension seemed to give the all-star game an added edge that it hadn't had before, but in reality the game is played in the same lackadaisical, exhibition-esque manner that it used to be. So what are fans supposed to be voting for? Are they supposed to be voting for the best team possible to win the game? Or are they supposed to be voting for that season's top performers, regardless of previous results? Or, as team twitter pages would like you to believe, are they supposed to be voting for every player on the team they support?

Personally, I tend to vote for this season's top performers, but it is very easy to see why there is so much confusion. Anyway, enough moaning about the format, I hereby present my 2013 all-star rosters:

National League

Catcher - Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants

This is a really tough position. Posey and Molina are the two best back-stops in the game today, and they are almost impossible to separate. Molina has the edge in average, but their OBP's are almost identical. Posey has the edge in slugging and power, but Molina is generally considered the best defensive catcher in baseball. Ultimately, it's a dead heat, with the two players offering different skill-sets that ultimately bring this question down to a hitting v defense question. For the one-game shootout, I'm going to take the potency of Posey's bat over Molina's solid glove, but both players are worthy of selection.

First base - Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds

Paul Goldschmidt has generated a lot of momentum on all-star ballots, and his .304/.381/.553 triple-slash would usually be more than enough to secure his spot on my team. But then Joey Votto might just be the best pure hitter in baseball, and his stupendous .325/.433/.520 slash-line is enough for him to get my nod. Goldy has 20 home runs to Votto's 15, but Votto has the clear edge in on-base ability, and that is the single most important skill in my opinion.

Second base - Matt Carpenter - St Louis Cardinals

The field at second base is much weaker in the National League than the American League, as six of the top seven players in terms of WAR are in the American League. That one player from the NL just happens to be top of the list with 4.2 WAR, as Matt Carpenter is having a superb season with the Redbirds. His .320 average is superb, the .393 OBP is elite and the .488 slugging percentage is very good indeed for a weak position. Perhaps most surprising has been Carpenter's ability to catch on at a new position, as defense at second base has actually been above-average. He is the worthy all-star at this position.

Shortstop - Jean Segura - Milwaukee Brewers

With Troy Tulowitzki out with an injury, the NL race at shortstop becomes more interesting. Everth Cabrera of the Padres actually leads the Majors in WAR whilst Ian Desmond's 15 home runs are tops at the position. My vote goes to all-around stud Jean Segura however, who has been quietly superb with the Brewers this year. The .322 average is superb, and though he has a low walk rate, he has slugged .493 with 11 home runs and 26 steals. Segura may never be an MVP candidate, but he looks like an excellent player who should make all-star ballots every season.

Third base - David Wright - New York Mets

Whilst the third base crop in the American League is buzzing with talent, it's rather more empty in the National League, making Wright an easy selection as the starting third baseman. The .305/.396/.524 triple-slash is excellent, and Wright has made himself into one of the best hitters in baseball despite propping up a pretty hopeless offensive team. The 14 steals are just an added bonus, as one of the best all-round players in the game deserves his team in the limelight at his home all-star game.

Outfield - Carlos Gonzalez - Colorado Rockies

Gonzalez tends to get overlooked during discussions of the game's best players, because of his gaudy home/away splits and the fact he plays for a non-contender. This season, however, he has forced himself into discussions, with a .295/.362/.605 triple-slash whilst putting up better numbers on the road than at Coors Field. His 23 home runs lead NL outfielders and the .310 isolated power is second best in the Majors among all hitters. The fact he has 15 steals is just icing on the cake.

Outfield - Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates

McCutchen had a ridiculous first half last season before fading down the stretch, but he'll have a chance to amend for that this season after another monster first few months. His .298/.370/.467 triple-slash is impressive in it's own right, regardless of the fact he has no line-up protection. The nine home runs aren't that impressive, but he's stolen 18 bases and plays elite defense in center field.

Outfield - Carlos Beltran - St Louis Cardinals

The 36 year old veteran appeared to be heading towards the end of his career after dropping off in the second half of last season, but he has looked anything but done so far this season. The .305 average is superb and his 19 homers put him on pace for his most since 2006. The defensive metrics don't like Beltran in right field, but it's hard to ignore his ability with the bat, and another all-star appearance would be just reward for one of the best sluggers in the game, particularly given his history with the Mets.

Starting pitcher - Matt Harvey - New York Mets

No, he's not the best pitcher in the National League. That honour goes to Clayton Kershaw. In fact, he may not even be second best, with Adam Wainwright returning to imperious form. But he is one of the most exciting pitchers in the Majors, and his 2.27 ERA is simply ridiculous in it's own right. With the game being played at Citi Field, it only seems right that Harvey be given the chance to start the game off, and his electric stuff will make the game exciting from the first pitch.

American League

Catcher - Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins

Whilst Molina and Posey battle it out in the NL, there's really no contest in the American League, as Mauer is the best catcher by far. He is a perennial batting title threat, with monstrous OBP's and is even hitting for some power this season with eight home runs. His defense is also superb, and whilst the K rate is alarmingly high by his standards this season, he's still far and away one of the top offensive performers in the Majors. Carlos Santana got off to a hot start offensively but has been unable to keep it up, whilst Matt Wieters looks unlikely to ever come through on his minor league hype.

First base - Chris Davis - Baltimore Orioles

This really is no contest. Davis' first half has been stupendously good, with a .325 average, .401 OBP and unbelievable .717 slugging. His 32 home runs set the Major League pace with ease and his .392 isolated power mark would be the highest figure since Barry Bonds broke baseball in 2004. In fact, literally as I write this Davis muscles a home run over the center field fence at Yankee Stadium. He is insanely strong. Insanely strong.

Second base - Jason Kipnis - Cleveland Indians

Things get more interesting at second base. Dustin Pedroia's .323 average and .404 on-base percentage both lead the position, whilst Robinson Cano's 20 homers are tops at second base. I'm giving the nod to the man who can cover all bases, as Kipnis has hit .300 with a .385 OBP along with 13 homers and 19 steals. The strikeout rate is quite high, but Kipnis has been crushing the ball for a while now with the Indians, and deserves the nod at second base for his strong all-round game. I couldn't begrudge Cano the start, but my personal pick is Kipnis.

Shortstop - Jhonny Peralta - Detroit Tigers

The AL crop at shortstop is just awful this season, and even in limited playing time, Jose Reyes has been one of the best performers. With just 20 games under his belt, it's hard to justify voting him in however, so Jhonny Peralta gets the nod. His .306 average and .364 OBP are both very fine stats indeed, particularly given his offensive struggles in recent seasons, whilst the defensive metrics actually look good for the traditionally awful shortstop. With just seven homers and two steals, he's not doing a lot outside hitting, and it would be interesting if practically impossible to see Manny Machado given a chance at his natural position in the all-star game.

Third base - Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers

Where the choice is awful at shortstop, it is more than made up for at the hot corner. Miguel Cabrera is the best offensive player in the game, with a .361 average, .451 OBP and .663 slugging. His 26 homers are second best in the Majors, whilst his 86 RBI are ridiculous considering we aren't yet at the all-star break. Manny Machado is clearly superior defensively, whilst Evan Longoria is putting up MVP numbers, but you'll take Cabrera's poor defense in return for his other-wordly production at the plate.

Outfield - Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels

It says a lot about how good his 2012 season when you consider Mike Trout has regressed this season but is still the best oufielder in the American League. The .319 average is elite, whilst he has shown superb patience that gives him an impressive .390 OBP. The 13 home runs give him another chance to challenge 30 homers whilst the 20 steals are actually disappointing for a player of Trout's speed. He is quite some talent.

Outfield - José Bautista - Toronto Blue Jays

After struggling a little last season with a wrist injury, Bautista has bounced right back this season, with 20 homers and a .364 OBP as his K rate and BB rate begin to get closer and closer. His .271 BABIP actually suggests he has been a little unlucky this season, so the .267 average may rise, but regardless of that he has been a top performer for the Blue Jays and should be the starting right fielder for the AL.

Outfield - Alex Gordon - Kansas City Royals

Gordon has quietly turned into a very effective hitter for the Royals, with consistently high averages, on-base percentages and slugging percentages. After struggling a little this season along with the rest of the Royals line-up, he has improved of late and has a .292/.351/.426 triple-slash to go with his elite defense in left field. This spot could easily go to Adam Jones, Jacoby Ellsbury or Nelson Cruz, but Gordon gets the nod for me.

Designated hitter - David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox

After missing most of April with an achilles injury, Ortiz has been one of the best hitters in the game since then. His .321 average is excellent, especially for a guy who can't run, whilst the .409 OBP is superb and the .615 slugging needs no explanation. His 17 homers would be impressive even for a guy who hadn't missed 15 games, whilst his impeccable BB/K ratio proves what a skilled hitter he has become.

Starting pitcher - Yu Darvish - Texas Rangers

I can think of no pitching match-up more exciting than Harvey-Darvish. Both guys have electric stuff and would make for fascinating viewing. Darvish boasts a 2.78 ERA and 12 K/9 ratio and has been the ace of the Rangers rotation. Max Scherzer, King Felix or Chris Sale would be worthy of the nod, but Darvish would be my starter because of his incredible raw stuff.


Do you agree or disagree? What do you make of the voting format? We'll find out what the final results were later tonight, and I'm sure there'll be some disgruntled fans out there...

Carlos Gomez is a defensive wizard

My favourite aspect of the game of baseball is defense. When you watch players go out into the field and make spectacular plays look routine every night, it becomes easy to forget how hard it is to stop, catch or throw a baseball as well as they do. Anyone who has tried making an over-the-shoulder catch, or barehanding a chopper, or making a 90 foot throw to first off their back foot will appreciate the raw athleticism that you need to play defense, and this appreciation of incredible glovework has made players like Brendan Ryan, Brandon Crawford and Andrelton Simmons much more viable in the modern game. But one player in particular has stood out to me this season on defense, and that is Carlos Gomez of the Milwaukee Brewers.

He has long been an above-average defender in center field, with positive DRS every season, and he is no stranger to highlight reels as his excellent speed allows him to make spectacular plays frequently. This season, however, he has been able to pull off those highlight reel plays with an extraordinary amount of consistency. This image created by Mark Simon of ESPN shows Gomez's incredible ability to go back on balls hit over his head this season:

Of 35 balls hit over his head, Gomez has been able to catch 34 of them. That is an incredible stat, and perhaps frustratingly for Gomez, this one play he was not able to make was routine by his incredible standards. Gomez is putting together an excellent offensive season, but it's his ridiculous glovework that has me sitting up and watching, and here are a few glimpses at those over-his-head plays:

And they are just three of many. Gomez continues to give Brewers fans something worth watching, and his incredible record on balls over his head bears watching for the rest of the season.