Yesterday Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the All Star Game in Anaheim on July 13. Let’s take a look at the American League Roster.
Starters
C: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
1B: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
2B: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
SS: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
3B: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
OF: Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays
OF: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
OF: Ichiro, Seattle Mariners
DH: Vladimir Guerrero
Reserves
C: John Buck, Toronto Blue Jays
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
2B: Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
2B: Ty Wigginton, Baltimore Orioles
SS: Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
3B: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
3B: Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox
OF: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
OF: Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
OF: Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
DH: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
SP: Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
SP: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
SP: CC Sabathia, New York Yankees
SP: Phil Hughes, New York Yankees
SP: Trevor Cahill, Oakland A’s
SP: David Price, Tampa Bay Rays
SP: Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians
SP: Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners
RP: Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox
RP: Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers
RP: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
RP: Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
RP: Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers
Analysis
I thought for the most part, the fans got the American League starters right. Sure you can argue Morneau vs. Cabrera or Longoria vs. Beltre, but that is nitpicking.
With a couple of exceptions, I thought the players and Joe Girardi did a good job with the reserves as well. My one gripe is Jered Weaver not being on the team. You could make the argument that Weaver should be starting for the AL squad.
Weaver leads the AL in strikeouts and strikeout ratio. Tied for the lead in quality starts. Fourth in WHIP. Seventh in ERA. That is some serious pitching.
A-Rod over Michael Young? Not sure about that one. I guess that is the advantage of having your manager coach the All Star Game.
I know he plays for the Royals, but David DeJesus needs to be on this team. DeJesus is eighth in the AL in batting (.325) and ninth in OBP (.392).
There is one more spot left to be filled and us as fans get to decide it. Here are the five players up for the final roster spot.
Nick Swisher
Michael Young
Paul Konerko
Kevin Youkilis
Delmon Young
I get why MLB put Swisher on this list (Yankees = interest which = votes), but they should be embarrassed that he is on this list. Nick Swisher? Really?
Weaver, DeJesus, or Alex Rios deserve to be on this list more than Swisher does.
You can cast your vote for the final AL All Star here.
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