Early All-Star Picks

I know we've still got almost a month until the All-Star Game, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start thinking about who's going to make the trip to Citi Field.  We know Robinson Cano and David Wright will be.  Otherwise, they wouldn't have been named the Home Run Derby captains.  There are plenty of selections that are abundantly obvious based on their play so far this season, as well.

There's also the heated battles for starting spots.  Buster Posey and Yadier Molina are the top two vote-getters in the National League.  Problem is they're both catchers.  Hometown favorite Wright currently trails Pablo Sandoval in NL third base voting, which might become a moot point because Panda's currently on the DL.  (I, for one, think Wright should start.  So should Matt Harvey.)  Same thing with Troy Tulowitzki, who's running away with NL shortstop voting, but is likely going to miss the game due to injury.

And the competition just to make the team at some positions is going to be intense.  There are five American League third basemen that have legitimate All-Star numbers, but they're not all going to go.  NL shortstop's another one.  Replacing Tulo on the roster won't be a problem.  And don't get me started on the quality of starting pitching around Baseball.  This year more than ever, there are going to be some very difficult snubs on the pitching front.

For the sake of these picks, I'm using the current vote leaders in both leagues.  Those, obviously, will inevitably change.  They always do once the ballpark voting closes and people use up all of their online votes after the final ballot update comes out.  (Sidebar: Surprisingly great to see four Orioles.  Not sure if that's Orioles fans coming out or fans in general voting on merit, but it really doesn't matter.  No complaints about any of the four leading.)

Also, no injury replacements.  I'm not picking an extra NL shortstop to take Tulo's roster spot.  And since there's no possible way for us to project who'll be starting on that Sunday, no replacement pitchers either.  So, with that, here we go...

AMERICAN LEAGUE
C: *Joe Mauer, Twins; Carlos Santana, Indians; Jason Castro, Astros
1B: *Chris Davis, Orioles; Prince Fielder, Tigers
2B: *Robinson Cano, Yankees; Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
SS: *J.J. Hardy, Orioles; Jhonny Peralta, Tigers
3B: *Miguel Cabrera, Tigers; Manny Machado, Orioles; Adrian Beltre, Rangers
OF: *Adam Jones, Orioles; *Nick Markakis, Orioles; *Mike Trout, Angels; Alex Rios, White Sox; Alex Gordon, Royals; Nelson Cruz, Rangers
DH: *David Ortiz, Red Sox; Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
P: Jim Johnson, Orioles; Clay Buchholz, Red Sox; Justin Masterson, Indians; Max Scherzer, Tigers; Justin Verlander, Tigers; Mariano Rivera, Yankees; Grant Balfour, Athletics; Felix Hernandez, Mariners; Hisashi Iwaukma, Mariners; Alex Cobb, Rays; Matt Moore, Rays; Yu Darvish, Rangers; Joe Nathan, Rangers

NATIONAL LEAGUE
C: *Buster Posey, Giants; Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B: *Joey Votto, Reds; Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
2B: *Brandon Phillips, Reds; Marco Scutaro, Giants
SS: *Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies; Jean Segura, Brewers; Everth Cabrera, Padres
3B: *Pablo Sandoval, Giants; David Wright, Mets
OF: *Justin Upton, Braves; *Carlos Beltran, Cardinals; *Bryce Harper, Nationals; Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks; Jay Bruce, Reds; Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies; Ryan Braun, Brewers; Domonic Brown, Phillies; Hunter Pence, Giants
P: Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks; Craig Kimbrel, Braves; Mike Minor, Braves; Kevin Gregg, Cubs; Aroldis Chapman, Reds; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Jose Fernandez, Marlins; Matt Harvey, Mets; Cliff Lee, Phillies; Jason Grilli, Pirates; Lance Lynn, Cardinals; Adam Wainwright, Cardinals; Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals

Final Vote
AL: Daniel Nava (OF), Red Sox; Howie Kendrick (2B), Angels; Brett Gardner (OF), Yankees; Josh Donaldson (3B), Athletics; Evan Longoria (3B), Rays
NL: Freddie Freeman (1B), Braves; Dexter Fowler (OF), Rockies; Carlos Gomez (OF), Brewers; Andrew McCutchen (OF), Pirates; Matt Carpenter (2B), Cardinals