With only 32 players selected to the National League roster for the All-Star Game, there are bound to be glaring omissions when the best players in the world take the field at Yankee Stadium in New York on July 15.
Voting continues until July 2. Ballots were distributed at the 30 MLB ballparks and to 95 minor-league clubs that are in-season during the balloting period. You can also vote online. Reserves and pitchers will be selected on July 6, and one final player for each team will be selected by fans on MLB.com in the days leading up to the game.
Don’t be part of the problem; be part of the solution. Be an educated voter and pick the best players to be the starters. (After all, the result decides home-field advantage in the World Series.)
First base
Who should get your vote: Even at a loaded position, it should be no contest on this one. Houston's Lance Berkman has put up some Triple Crown-worthy stats in the first half, hitting .365 with 22 homers and 68 RBI as of July 1.
Who will win: Berkman also has a big lead in the voting.
Worthy backup candidates: Albert Pujols, Cardinals; Adrian Gonzalez, Padres; Derrek Lee, Cubs; Mark Teixeira, Braves.
Second base
Who should get your vote: For as great a season as the Phillies' Chase Utley is having (.297, 23 homers), Dan Uggla of the Marlins is right there, too (.289, 23 homers). They both deserve a spot, and if Uggla returns from a sprained ankle, they'll both be on the field in New York.
Who will win: Utley has about four times as many votes as Uggla, and three times as many as anybody else at the position.
Worthy backup candidate: Brandon Phillips, Reds.
Shortstop
Who should get your vote: Hanley Ramirez is the real deal. There hasn't been a better all-around hitter at shortstop since Alex Rodriguez came in the league, and Ramirez is having a solid first half (.296, 19 homers, 20 steals). It's time for a national stage for a guy hurt by the fact the Marlins don't draw well.
Who will win: Ramirez leads by a slim margin going into the final week of balloting over Miguel Tejada, who is having a nice first half in his first year in Houston.
Worthy backup candidates: Jose Reyes, Mets; Ryan Theriot, Cubs.
Third base
Who should get your vote: The only thing that's stopped Chipper Jones (.394, 16 homers) is nagging injuries. And the Braves' veteran belongs as a starter.
Who will win: Jones.
Worthy backup candidates: David Wright, Mets; Aramis Ramirez, Cubs; Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks.
Catcher
Who should get your vote: It's rare any rookie gets voted into the lineup, but Geovany Soto of the Cubs appears to have this locked up. And it's not a bad choice at all (.284, 13 homers), especially considering that this is not a deep spot. But I'd be tempted to vote for the Braves' Brian McCann (.294, 14 homers).
Who will win: Soto.
Worthy backup candidate: Russell Martin, Dodgers.
Outfielders
Who should get your vote: This is an interesting four-way battle for three spots. But it's falling victim to the popularity contest. The most worthy players are Ryan Braun of the Brewers (.282, 20 homers, 58 RBI), Corey Hart of the Brewers (.288, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 10 SB) and Matt Holliday of the Rockies (.332, 10 HR, missed two weeks to injury). But there's a chance none of the three will be starters.
Who will win: The Cubs' Alfonso Soriano is hitting .283 with 15 homers for a team that's been the strongest in the NL in the first half. The Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. is second, and doesn't have the best stats (.237, 10 homers), but hit his 600th homer and there's a sentiment for him to make it based on that. And in third with a week left is Kosuke Fukudome, a Japanese import who is hitting .296 for the Cubs. Neither of these three would be terrible picks - just not as good as the first three.
Worthy backup candidates: Carlos Lee, Astros; Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals; Nate McLouth, Pirates; Xavier Nady, Pirates; Pat Burrell, Phillies.
