by: Faron Peterson @faronpjr
Hard to believe we are a week into June already. With a little less than a month until the 2018 MLB All-Star Game takes place in the nation's capital, let's see who could be playing in the midsummer classic.
These are my picks for who I think will make the All-Star game based on the voting process.
Starters decided by fan voting
C - Buster Posey - He may not be having his best season, but the 5-time all-star is leading all catchers with a .300 batting average and he's been voted a starter three straight seasons.
1B - Freddie Freeman - What can I say, the guy is a monster. Leads all NL first basemen in BA, OBP, Slugging, and OPS. If you're wondering how the Braves are on top of the NL East, it starts with this guy.
2B - Javier Baez - Leads the NL in RBI's with 46, third in HR's with 14, can run the bases and makes great plays on defense. Hard to argue that.
3B - Nolan Arenado - Arguably the best position player in the entire National League.
SS - Trea Turner - We're in D.C. this year, he'll get the fans votes.
OF - Charlie Blackmon - AJ Pollock probably would have had this spot if it wasn't for injury, but Chuck Nazty would have made it a close race. Blackmon was voted in as an all-star last season and he's having a good season again this year - batting .288 with 13 home runs, 31 rbi's and a .884 OPS.
OF - Matt Kemp - What year is it? 2011? Can't say I saw this coming. Matt Kemp is leading the entire National League with a .347 BA and .582 SLG, and 3rd with a .959 OPS. And we all thought he was just a salary dump this last offseason. Un-freaking-believable.
OF - Bryce Harper - The former MVP may not be playing his best ball up to this point, but he still remains one of the most feared hitters in the game. Only batting .228 on the year but leads the NL with 18 home runs and all of the fans will want to see him represent the city.
Pitchers elected by the players and manager
SP - Max Scherzer - No one deserves to start for the NL over Scherzer. His stuff is just nasty. Consistently great year in and year out.
SP -Jacob deGrom
SP - Aaron Nola
SP - Jon Lester
SP - Michael Wacha
SP - Carlos Martinez
SP - Mike Foltynewicz
SP - Patrick Corbin
SP - Jake Arrieta
RP - Josh Hader - The best reliever in the game. Period. Oh, and he's only 24 years old.
RP - Sean Doolittle
RP - Brandon Morrow
RP - Jeremy Jeffress - Barely got the edge over Adam Ottavino
Backups elected by the players and manager
C - Yadier Molina - As a die-hard Cardinal fan, I couldn't leave him off this list. I know he missed a month due to a horrific injury that no man should ever experience. Even after that, his numbers aren't too far behind the leaders at his position. By the time the All-Star Game gets here, his numbers should be back to where he wants them to be. Even at his age, Yadi's defense and the impact he has with his pitchers is unmatched. Francisco Cervelli may have something to say about this pick though.
C - JT Realmuto - Started off the year hurt, but since coming back, Realmuto has been hitting the ball hard. Plus, we need a Marlin on here.
1B - Joey Votto
1B - Eric Hosmer
2B - Scooter Gennett
2B - Ozzie Albies - One of the top young players in the game today. With 14 home runs already, there is a lot of power packed into that small frame.
3B - Kris Bryant - The former MVP and World Series Champ isn't having his best season to date, but he's still one of the top three third basemen in the game.
SS - Brandon Crawford
OF - Tommy Pham
OF - Lorenzo Cain
OF - Nick Markakis
OF - Starling Marte - Power, speed, defense. This guy can do it all.
Final fan vote - Christian Yelch - One of the three outfielders traded by the Marlins will make his first all-star appearance as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Starting Lineup
1 Trea Turner - SS
2 Charlie Blackmon - CF
3 Freddie Freeman - 1B
4 Nolan Arenado - 3B
5 Matt Kemp - LF
6 Kris Bryant - DH
7 Bryce Harper - RF
8 Javier Baez - 2B
9 Buster Posey - C
SP Max Scherzer
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