My American League All-Star Starters and Why

Dan Wanser (Writer): @DanWanser

Credit: seniorbaseball.org
In July, nine players will take the field as starters for the
 American League in the 2013 All-Star game. Who should
 these players be? Lets find out. 

Every July, the stars from each league unite to play one game. This game is played for fun, its played for bragging rights, but most importantly its played to see which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. Between the two leagues, only 18 players are chosen to start. This makes starting the All-Star game even more of an honor. Here are my nine American League All-Star starters and why I chose them.


Catcher:  Joe Mauer (Twins): Joe Mauer is without a doubt the best catcher in the American League. Defensively, I don't think anyone comes close to being as good a catcher. But Joe Mauer is also a great offensive catcher. Joe is leading his team is average, as he is hitting .325 and has an On-Base percentage over .400 as his is sitting at .409.

First Base: Chris Davis (Orioles): This was without a doubt the easiest pick of them all. So far this year, Chris Davis has been an animal at the plate. First of all, he is leading the entire MLB in Home-Runs, where he has 30 already. However, Chris Davis is not just a Home-Run hitter. He is also leading his team in total batting average, as his sits at an outstanding .333. Davis has also contributed to his team by knocking in a total of 79 runs and has scored 59 runs on his own this year. Chris Davis is without a doubt my starter at First Base.

Second Base: Robinson Cano (Yankees): Robinson Cano is a very solid defensive second baseman, but that is only one of the reasons I chose him. Cano is also a very good hitter. Cano is second on his team in  batting average at .284 and has also chipped in a respectable 16 Home-Runs. He also leads his team in RBI's at 47 and has scored 43 runs.

Shortstop: J.J Hardy (Orioles): J.J Hardy is having a very quiet year, but it is also a solid one. Hardy leads all American League shortstops with 15 Home-Runs and also leads with 46 RBI's. J.J Hardy is definitely having the quietest year of all the All-Stars I've chosen, but he should still make the team as a starter.

Third Base: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers): This was also a very easy pick. Miguel Cabrera is one of the better, if not the best player in the MLB right now. Miggy as he is called by many is looking to become the first player to ever win back-to-back Triple Crowns, which is when you lead the league in Average, Homeruns, and RBI's. Cabrera is hitting a whopping .375 this year, which is tops in the Majors. He also has a total 81 RBI's, also tops in the Majors. To add even more to his All-Star year, Cabrera has 24 Homers, second to only Chris Davis.

Left Field: Mike Trout (Angels): If you don't know who Mike Trout is, just watch Sportscenters Top 10 plays and you will be sure to see him.  Mike Trout is one of the best defensive outfielders in the league, he plays left field where is constantly seen robbing Home-Runs. Trout can also hold his own at the plate where he is hitting a solid .315. Mike also has 13 Homers and has knocked in 52 RBI's

Right Field: Nelson Cruz (Rangers): This was a pretty tough pick. Nelson Cruz is having a quiet, but solid year up to this point. Cruz is only hitting .268 but leads all Right Fielders in Homers and RBI's where he has a solid 20 Home-Runs and has knocked in a solid 60 runs. Nelson Cruz does not really hit for an average, but he is still getting the job done at the plate and in the field.

Center Field: Adam Jones (Orioles): Adam Jones is having a very good season up to this point. Jones leads all American League Center Fielders in Doubles, Homers, RBI's, and Batting Average. In those categories, Jones has 22 doubles, 15 Homers, 57 RBI's, and is hitting a solid .295. Adam Jones is a very good Center Fielder both Offensively and Defensively. Because of this, he should be starting in the All-Star game.

Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer (Tigers): Max Scherzer has been the best pitcher in the American League up to this point this year. Max is 12-0 this season in his 16 starts with an ERA of 3.10. Scherzer also has a WHIP of less than one at .90. Scherzer also has a very good Walk/Strikeout Ratio at 25/131. In my opinion if you lead the league in Wins, and have not lost a game this year you should without a doubt be the Starting Pitcher in the All-Star game, and that is why I chose Max Scherzer.

Listed above are in my opinion the best players at their position in the American League. They are the best of the best, and they are the most worthy. That is why every single one of those players should be on the field when the first pitch is thrown at this years All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York.

Credit: nycgovparks.org
The best of the best will play one game in July at Citi Field.
Who Should Start? You now have my opinion on it. 

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of deucesgonewild.com ***

This article was written by one of our writers Dan Wanser. Dan is a Junior at Pottsville High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Dan is a huge baseball fan and has been following it his entire life. His  favorite player is Chase Utley and after he graduates he wants to be a broadcaster or beat writer for a professional baseball team.