My annual All-Star prediction thread.

[markakis8]

Every year I try to predict who will be on the All-Star teams. I do it for my own amusement really. This year is especially fun for me because I have a feeling about 3-5 Orioles will be on the squad. My predictions for starters are who I feel the fans will vote in. And then obviously the reserves are who I think the players/coaches will pick. I believe there are 34 roster spots and I have to pick a member from each team.

AL STARTERS

C - Joe Mauer - Twins
1B - Chris Davis - Orioles
2B - Robinson Cano - Yankees
SS - J.J. Hardy - Orioles (the voting is really close right now and I think Hardy will overcome Andrus)
3B - Miguel Cabrera - Tigers
OF - Mike Trout - Angels
OF - Adam Jones - Orioles
OF - Jose Bautista - Blue Jays
DH - David Ortiz - Red Sox

SP - Clay Buchholz - Red Sox

AL RESERVES

C - Carlos Santana - Indians
C - Jason Castro - Astros
1B - Prince Fielder - Tigers
2B - Dustin Pedroia - Red Sox
SS - Jhonny Peralta - Tigers
SS - Jed Lowrie - Athletics
3B - Evan Longoria - Rays
3B - Manny Machado - Orioles
3B - Adrian Beltre - Rangers (yes, I think 4 3B will make it this year. It's a log jam! I had to leave off Josh Donaldson even! One of them can be a back up DH to David Ortiz)
OF - Alex Gordon - Royals
OF - Nick Markakis - Orioles (THIS IS THE YEAR HE FINALLY MAKES IT!)
OF - Torii Hunter - Tigers

SP - Hisashi Iwakuma - Mariners
SP - Yu Darvish - Rangers
SP - Felix Hernandez - Mariners
SP - Matt Moore - Rays
SP - Justin Masterson - Indians
SP - Max Scherzer - Tigers
SP - Justin Verlander - Tigers
SP - Chris Sale - White Sox
RP - Mariano Rivera - Yankees
RP - Joe Nathan - Rangers
RP - Grant Balfour - Athletics
RP - Addison Reed - White Sox



NL STARTERS: (I may make some changes to the NL Roster after I find out who is leading in the NL voting).

C - Buster Posey - Giants
1B - Joey Votto - Reds
2B - Brandon Phillips - Reds
SS - Troy Tulowitzki - Rockies
3B - David Wright - Mets (duh)
OF - Ryan Braun - Brewers
OF - Bryce Harper - Nationals
OF - Justin Upton - Braves
DH - Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies

SP - Matt Harvey - Mets

C - Yadier Molina - Cardinals
1B - Paul Goldschmidt - Diamondbacks
1B - Freddie Freeman - Braves
2B - Matt Carpenter - Cardinals
SS - Jean Segura - Brewers
SS - Everth Cabrera - Padres
3B - Pablo Sandoval - Giants
OF - Shin-Soo Choo - Reds
OF - Marcell Ozuna - Marlins
OF - Andrew McCutchen - Pirates
OF - Domonic Brown - Phillies

SP - Cliff Lee - Phillies
SP - Clayton Kershaw - Dodgers
SP - Shelby Miller - Cardinals
SP - Patrick Corbin - Diamondbacks
SP - Adam Wainwright - Cardinals
SP - Mike Minor - Braves
SP - Jordan Zimmerman - Nationals
SP - Travis Wood - Cubs
RP - Jason Grilli - Pirates
RP - Edward Mujica - Cardinals
RP - Craig Kimbrel - Braves
RP - Sergio Romo - Giants
RP - Aroldis Chapman - Reds

Hard to leave off guys like Lance Lynn and Jorge de la Rosa, but the Cubs and Marlins need reps. I see Travis Wood as the Cubs and Ozuna as the Marlins rep. It could also be Nolasco or Jose Fernandez as the Marlins rep, then I think Freeman is out and the Cubs rep is Rizzo.

 

[BowmanChromeAddict]

How do you explain leaving the NL leader in Homeruns off the All-Star roster? Dom Brown makes that team.

Also, sent you a PM...would appreciate a response.

 

[digicat]

Considering that Giants skipper Bruce Bochy is in charge of the NL Team, it might be a safe bet to expect closer Sergio Romo and shortstop Brandon Crawford to be on the team as well.

 

[markakis8]

How do you explain leaving the NL leader in Homeruns off the All-Star roster? Dom Brown makes that team.

Also, sent you a PM...would appreciate a response.

I just don't see the Phillies having 3 All-Stars and I'm pretty sure Cliff and Papelbon will make it. And I predict pitchers will figure out Dom Brown by the AS break.

Replied to your PM.

 

[thefasterblade]

Paps isnt making it.

 

[BowmanChromeAddict]

I just don't see the Phillies having 3 All-Stars and I'm pretty sure Cliff and Papelbon will make it. And I predict pitchers will figure out Dom Brown by the AS break.

Replied to your PM.

Paplebon hasn't pitched in a few days, something might be wrong. Regardless, you can't leave Dom Brown off the team. If he for some reason doesn't get on in the first place, I guarantee you that he makes the Final Vote and he'll make it easily there. Philly has been known to support it's players that make the Final Vote. And no, I don't foresee a cool down that would cut him from the All Star Game. He's on pace for 45 HR right now with a 1/3 of the season over. I think it's safe to say he's legit and perhaps he's figured the pitchers out.

 

[markakis8]

Paplebon hasn't pitched in a few days, something might be wrong. Regardless, you can't leave Dom Brown off the team. If he for some reason doesn't get on in the first place, I guarantee you that he makes the Final Vote and he'll make it easily there. Philly has been known to support it's players that make the Final Vote. And no, I don't foresee a cool down that would cut him from the All Star Game. He's on pace for 45 HR right now with a 1/3 of the season over. I think it's safe to say he's legit and perhaps he's figured the pitchers out.

He might be one of those guys that gets left off b/c Ozuna needs to be the Marlins rep. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve to make it...I'm just predicting he won't.

 

[padremurph]

Didn't realize the NL pitching was so stacked. Was hoping Latos would make it but it isn't looking good.

 

[Super Mario]

Will be a shame if Lance Lynn doesn't make it.

Glad to see someone else take notice of Matt Carpenter though.

 

[markakis8]

Made some changes to the NL after viewing the voting results like I said I would. Switched Upton/McCutchen in the starter/reserve. Took into consideration the continuance of Brown's torrid streak and put him in and removed Carlos Gomez (he deserves it but a few NL players going to get snubbed and the Brewers suck). I don't see three Phillies making the squad, so I switched out Papelbon for Romo.