Nick's All Star Ballott

With two months of the season gone, it is time to vote for the all-stars. So here is Nick’s al-star ballot.

American League

1B Paul Konerko, White Sox – Really isn’t much of a debate. Konerko is hitting over .300 and has 15 homers. Shelton in Detroit is close but I have to give it to the Sox slugger.

2B Jose Lopez, Mariners – Lopez is quietly having a breakout year up in the Pacific Northwest. He has driven in 40 with 8 homers. No one else is really in his realm. Iguchi of the Sox and Cano of the Yankees are having nice seasons but no where near what Lopez is doing.

SS Miguel Tejada Orioles – Tejada is having an MVP type year in Baltimore. Hitting .323 with 13 homers and doing it in an inept Oriole lineup. Jeter is the only other candidate in the AL and Tejada is the more worthy choice.

3B Hank Blaylock, Rangers – This is a tough one as there are about four guys having all star years at third in the AL. I give the nod to Blaylock as he has been the most consistent of them all. Still Crede of the White Sox, Lowell of Boston and A-Rod of the Yankees could all get consideration.

C Joe Mauer, Twins – Catching every day, hitting third his average is in the .340’s. This guy is going to be an all star for years to come. Hernandez of Baltimore and Posada are also having nice years but Mauer has been all-world for the first two months.

OF Casey Blake, Indians – Blake is having a nice season in a potent Tribe lineup. Hitting at .329 with 9 homers. This is a guy starting to come into his own.

OF Vladimir Guerreo, Angels – Another standard all star year for Guerrero. Hitting .326 with 13 homers this guy year in year out puts up great numbers in what is turning out to be a hall of fame career.

OF Vernon Wells, Blue Jays – Always has been a solid ballplayer this year Wells has turned it up a notch. He is hitting .316 with 12 homers and 39 RBI’s. Wells narrowly edges out Ordonez in Detroit as the last outfielder in the AL.

National League

1B Albert Pujos, Cardinals – A blowout. No one is on the same planet as Pujos. He is only hitting .314 with 25 homers and 61 RBI’s. Not a bad two months. No one else is even worthy of mention with Pujos.

2B Chase Utley, Phillies – Another obvious choice. Utley is hitting at a .323 clip with 9 homers. Only real competition comes from of all people Uggla in Florida who has quietly putting together a nice run and could be in the rookie of the year in the NL.

SS Edgar Renteria, Braves – Renteria is back in the NL and loving it so far. He is hitting .333 with 5 homers. Ramirez of Florida and Vizquel of San Francisco also are having nice years but Renteria is the choice.

3B Miguel Cabrera, Marlins – Just a special player. Playing his natural position has made this already great hitter even better. Hitting .343 with 8 homers playing for the woeful Marlins. Wright of the Mets is also having a good season.

C Johnnie Estrada, Diamond Backs – A tough call. McCann of Atlanta is having a great season but he looks like he is going to miss most of June with a knee injury. That means Estrada is the choice. He is hitting .306 with 4 homers and 33 knocked in. Good numbers for a backstop.

OF Jason Bay, Pirates – The best player you’ve never heard of Bay is a legitimate all star. After a slow start he is hitting .306 with 16 homers and 44 RBI’s. He also has 5 steals. If he was in New York he would be a house hold name.

OF Matt Holiday Rockies – Holliday is hitting .335 with 12 homers with 39 RBI’s. Thin air or not this guy has been hitting all year and deserves to be recognized for it.

OF Alphonsio Soriano, Nationals – Remember all that talk in spring training about him not wanting to play the OF, well it hasn’t hurt his bat. He is hitting .300 with 18 homers and 38 RBI’s playing in a pitchers park. In two months he has more homers then any player in the majors at RFK Stadium. Shawn Green and Arizona and Hawpe of the Rockies are also having good years.