The Flagrant Fan's All Star team

<div style="text-align: justify;">You cannot be a baseball writer this time of year without producing your own All Star ballot. Everyone has a different philosophy for putting them together. Some believe in picking the hottest players of the current year. Others like to consider the body of work and the current season. I am more of the former than the latter. I think it is a showcase for this year's hottest talent. On the other hand, I do think legacy players on the downside of probable Hall of Fame careers should be included for the fans as well. I grew up with that with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayswi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Willie Mays</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aaronha01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hank Aaron</a></strong> making the NL squads even into their last years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only real legacy player this year is <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riverma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mariano Rivera</a></strong> and he deserves a nod on merit anyway, so there is no problem. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesch06.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chipper Jones</a></strong> was a legacy player. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jeterde01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Derek Jeter</a></strong> is one. But the rest are all gone. So at least we do not have to have that debate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So here, then, is my All Star ballot with the starters for each position and one backup. Oh yes, I should mention that the outfield positions should be picked by where a player plays and not just lumped all together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>American League:</b></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">First base: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisch02,davis-008chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Davis</a></strong>. How can you not pick him? He has been a monster. My backup would be <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/encared01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edwin Encarnacion</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Second base: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kipnija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Kipnis</a></strong>. I tend to go more by wOBA than by WAR and Kipnis leads all AL second basemen in wOBA at .390. But this is a deep field. You have to have <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pedrodu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dustin Pedroia</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/canoro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Robinson Cano</a></strong> too and cases can be made for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kendrho01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Howie Kendrick</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/infanom01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Omar Infante</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lowrije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jed Lowrie</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Shortstop: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peraljh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jhonny Peralta</a></strong>. I do not think his success will last when he has a .388 BABIP. But right now, the nod is his. I cannot pick Lowrie as a backup because he has split his time between second and short. So the backup is <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hardyjj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">J.J. Hardy</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Third base: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabremi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Miguel Cabrera</a></strong>. The easy pick with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Manny Machado</a></strong> as the backup.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Left field: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Trout</a></strong>. Yeah, this should be the same problem as Lowrie. I hear you. But Trout plays both left and center, so you have to pick one because he has to be on the team. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gordoal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alex Gordon</a></strong> is the backup.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Center field: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/ellsbja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jacoby Ellsbury</a></strong>. With Trout in left, that opens the door for Ellsbury, who only has one homer, but has done everything else extremely well. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gardnbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brett Gardner</a></strong> is your backup.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Right field: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=bautijo02,bautijo01,bautis005jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Bautista</a></strong>. Bautista has not seemed to have a good year. But he leads all AL right fielders in wOBA and fWAR. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zobribe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ben Zobrist</a></strong> is the backup although he plays all over the place.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Catcher: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mauerjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe Mauer</a></strong>. This is a no-brain pick. If you think otherwise, you and I will never agree. For the backup, I am going with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santaca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos Santana</a></strong> slightly ahead of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Castro</a></strong>. Castro is a better receiver, Santana a better offensive force.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">DH: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ortizda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David Ortiz</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Starting pitchers: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Max Scherzer</a></strong> (start), <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollade01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Derek Holland</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernafe02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Felix Hernandez</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Sale</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darviyu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yu Darvish</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Releif pitchers: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/crainje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jesse Crain</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smylydr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Drew Smyly</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perkigl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Glen Perkins</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cookry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan Cook</a></strong> and Mariano Rivera.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>National League:</b></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">First base: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vottojo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joey Votto</a></strong> with the backup of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Paul Goldschmidt</a></strong>. These two are neck and neck with Votto having the higher wOBA.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Second base: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carpema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Carpenter</a></strong>. He has the highest wOBA and fWAR. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phillbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon Phillips</a></strong> as the backup.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Shortstop: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/segurje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jean Segura</a></strong> with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabreev01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Everth Cabrera</a></strong> as the backup.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Third base: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David Wright</a></strong> with no backup. Take them apples. The game is at Citi Field and he should play.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Left field: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=gonzaca01,gonzal014car,gonzal015car&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos Gonzalez</a></strong> is the starter. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martest01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Starling Marte</a></strong> is the backup.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Center field: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=gomezca01,gomez-006car,gomez-007car&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos Gomez</a></strong> is the starter. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccutan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andrew McCutchen</a></strong> is the backup. A case could be made for Choo, but the fielding (not his fault) is so bad.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Right field: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beltrca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos Beltran</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bruceja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jay Bruce</a></strong> as the backup. Don't worry, I'll take care of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuddymi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Michael Cuddyer</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Catcher: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/poseybu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Buster Posey</a></strong> just over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yadier Molina</a></strong>. Both are neck and neck in WAR. Posey has a slight edge in wOBA. Molina has the edge on defense. Neither way would bother me.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">DH: Michael Cuddyer. There you go.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Starting pitchers: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong> (starter), <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Adam Wainwright</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=leecl02,leecl01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Cliff Lee</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kershcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Clayton Kershaw</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zimmejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jordan Zimmermann</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/baileho02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Homer Bailey</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Relief pitchers: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grillja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Grilli</a></strong>, Mark Malancon, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parnebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bobby Parnell</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosentr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor Rosenthal</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kimbrcr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Craig Kimbrel</a></strong>.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let the debates begin. And no on Puig this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

The Flagrant Fan's All Star team

You cannot be a baseball writer this time of year without producing your own All Star ballot. Everyone has a different philosophy for puttin...

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