National League All-Star Picks

National
League All-Star Team

Starters

Catcher: Yadier Molina, Stl

First: Albert Pujols, Stl

Second: Chase Utley, Phi

Short: Hanley Ramirez, Fla

Third: David Wright, NYM

Outfield: Carlos Beltran, NYM; Ryan Braun, Mil; Raul Ibanez, Phi

Reserves

Brian McCann, C/Atl

Prince Fielder, 1B/Mil

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B/SD

Ryan Howard, 1B/Phi

Orlando Hudson, 2B/LAD

Freddy Sanchez, 2B/Pit

Miguel Tejada, SS/Hou

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B/Was

Brad Hawpe, OF/Col

Hunter Pence, OF/Hou

Justin Upton, OF/Ari

Pitching

Heath Bell, Chad Billingsly, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Cain, Francisco Cordero, Ryan Franklin, Dan Haren, Josh Johnson, Ted Lilly, Tim Lincecum, Jason Marquis, Francisco Rodriguez, John Santana

The National League Picks are very easy to understand. They're either the among the best at their position or the best player on a team that only has one representative. There are a few pitchers missing that could have made the team. Adam Wainright is 9-5 with a 3.09 ERA. Huston Street has 21 Saves and a 2.65 ERA. Trevor Hoffman has 18 Saves and a 1.93 ERA. With these players it was just a matter of too many pitchers to chose from.

Then there's the selection of Ryan Howard. The National League Roster has four First Basemen. Pujols, Howard, Fielder and Gonzalez. Why pick Howard? Fielder and Gonzalez both bat left like Howard and they're both having better years at the plate. (Howard currently has an OB% of .329) Why not pick another pitcher? Why not Adam Dunn? Why not Mark Reynolds? This certainly looks like an example of reputation trumping ability when comparing Howard's current prodeuction to some of the alternatives.