My National League All-Star Starters and Why

Ryan Ritchey (Lead Analyst): @BaseballAddicts

Credit: Sully Baseball
The All-Star is three weeks away and I have my National League
All-Star starters ready to go. The National League leads the series 43-38-2.
Will they win it again this year and give the National League home field in the World Series?

Every July the Midsummer Classic comes and lets the players have a little fun. Unlike all of the other major sports all star games this one actually means something. Not only is it for bragging rights but the winning league gets home field advantage in the World Series. As we have seen the past few seasons this actually comes into play and that is why I love the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. I have put together my National League All-Star starters, so here is who I chose and why.

Catcher: Yadier Molina (Cardinals)- Yadi could start for my team any day of the week. As I wrote in one of my previous articles he has improved tremendously offensively and we all know what he can do behind the dish. A lot of people would've taken Posey to start but in fact Yadi leads him in every offensive statistical category besides Home Runs and RBI. Yes Posey will make the team but he will not be starting. 

First Baseman: Joey Votto (Reds): Joey Votto is undoubtedly the best first baseman in the National League. He can do it all, from drawing walks to timely hitting, and even plays good defense. The 2010 Most Valuable Player is having another outstanding year at the plate. He hasn't had the power numbers that we are used to seeing but he has an unheard of .439 on base percentage which is first in the National League. 

Second Baseman: Brandon Phillips (Reds): Brandon (DatDude) Phillips is the best defensive second baseman in the league. He has at least one web gem a night at second base. In a game of this type you never know when you will need a diving catch to save a run. It isn't just his defense that is giving him the starting spot on my team, its his offense as well. He has 11 Home Runs with an outstanding 60 RBI. He has also scored 41 runs from the four spot in the order. 

Short Stop: Jean Segura (Brewers): Yes I have Jean Segura because of the injury to Tulowitzki. Segura may be the only Brewer to make the team and he is well deserving. He is hitting .333 with 11 Home Runs on top of that. He is also great with the glove up the middle and will make a great duo with Phillips. He is a contact guy that you can put at the top of the order and expect to drive in. He has already had one, five hit game so far this season. 

Third Baseman: David Wright (Mets): There are a couple of players deserving of this spot on the team but I had to go with the hometown guy in Wright. Don't get me wrong he is deserving of this honor for everything he has done for this struggling Mets club. He is hitting over .300 with 12 Home Runs and 41 RBI. He has trouble hitting home runs at Citi Field so he manufactures runs by stealing 14 bases. Not to mention he is the best defensive third baseman in the league. 

Left Field: Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): Gonzalez doesn't get talked about much out in Colorado because of Tulowitzki but he is having a tremendous first half of the season. He is hitting over .300 with 21 homers and 58 RBI which lead all outfielders. Gonzo can also come up big defensively in the outfield with his arm and speed. Look for Gonzo to possibly be the only Rockie on the squad. 

Center Field: Carlos Gomez (Brewers): I was wrong earlier when saying Segura will be the only Brewer. Gomez is doing everything he can to help the struggling Brew Crew. He can hit for power and has a lot of speed as he already has 15 stolen bases. He was one of the hottest hitters in May and was leading the league in hitting at one time. He has cooled off and is hitting a solid .313. 

Right Field: Justin Upton (Braves): Justin Upton Started off hot and has cooled off but I still believe he deserves to be a starter. After a miserable 2012 season he has come out firing in 2013. Being reunited with his brother B.J really got him going. He has 15 home runs with 36 RBI. If the National League needs a homer he will be he guy to give it to them.

Starting Pitcher: Matt Harvey (Mets): This was without a doubt the easiest pick of them all. Harvey a young kid out of the University of North Carolina is having himself a Cy Young type season in only his second year. Harvey is 7-1 with a 2.05 ERA. He could have upwards of 12 wins by now if it wasn't for lack of offense or the bullpen blowing a lead. The hometown kid will get to start on his home field in the 2013 Midsummer Classic. 

Those are my starters and I am sticking to them. There is a lot of speed along with a lot of power on this team and I like who I chose. Lets not forget about the reserves, which I will post July 4th, a week from today. 

Credit: MLB
The All-Star Game is upon us so make sure to cast your vote. Be sure
to watch it on FOX on July 16th along with the Home Run Derby the 15th. 

*** 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 our lead analyst Ryan Ritchey. Ryan is a sophomore at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. Ryan is a huge baseball fan and has been writing about baseball since his sophomore year high school. His all-time favorite player is Barry Larkin and after he graduates he wants to be a broadcaster or beat writer for a professional baseball team.