Baseball’s biggest stars will battle each other at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game to see who can shine brightest and take home the MVP award.
The award almost always goes to a field player, as pitchers are never on the mound long enough to put on a memorable performance. The last hurler to win MVP at an All-Star game was Pedro Martinez in 1999.
It is also incredibly difficult to win the award multiple times. Willie Mays, Steve Garvey, Gary Carter and Cal Ripken Jr. are the only four players who have accomplished it.
In all likelihood, the MVP will be a field player and a first-time winner. Here are the three players with the best shot to put their names down in baseball history.
Joey Votto, 4-1 chance
The Cincinnati Reds first baseman has been on a hitting tear this season.
Votto is batting .349 with a .623 slugging percentage. He is one of the favorites to win the NL MVP at this point in the season.
He already has one league MVP on his résumé (2010), and his form this season has him on track for another incredible year.
A minor knee injury may slow him down, but his hot streak at the plate will almost certainly continue in Kansas City.
Josh Hamilton, 6-1 chance
Hamilton is the most talented hitter in baseball.
When the Texas Rangers outfielder is in the zone, there is no player more dangerous at the plate. He proved this in May when he mashed four home runs in a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Hamilton is batting .341 with a .641 slugging percentage and 26 home runs this season.
He is capable of exploding for a monster game on any night against any pitcher. Hamilton’s unparalleled hitting abilities give him an excellent shot at wining the award.
Derek Jeter, 8-1 chance
Although Jeter won the award in 2000, he fits the profile of a player who could win two All-Star game MVPs.
Three of the four players to win the award twice are in the Hall of Fame. Jeter is headed to Cooperstown soon after he retires, and he has been hitting extremely well this season (.304 batting average, .412 slugging).
This will be the fourth consecutive All-Star game in which Jeter will be the AL starter at shortstop. He has been selected to the team 13 times in his career.
If Jeter makes any sort of impact during the game, voters will jump at the opportunity to recognize his performance.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com