The All-Star game is approaching, and here are the players I believe should start the game for the American League. (Note: All statistics are as of June 29th.)
Catcher – Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins: Mauer is not having the fantastic year that he put together in 2009, but he’s still hitting .300 as a backstop. His power numbers are down Kamagra Gold as well, but he’s had some injuries this season and is definitely a candidate for a big second half. In coming seasons, though, he could get some major competition from Cleveland rookie Carlos Santana (.333, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 1.179 OPS through 16 career big league games) for this honor.

First Base – Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers: Cabrera has his eyes on the MVP trophy this season. He’s hitting .335 with 20 home runs and 66 RBI through 73 games. His on-base percentage is over .400 and his OPS is over 1.000. 2010 looks like it could be the best season of his career thus far, which is saying a lot considering his quality and consistency on an annual basis.

Second Base – Robinson Cano, New York Yankees: Cano might not sell MLB tickets at the same rate that teammates Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez do, but he’s been the Yankees’ best hitter in 2010. Cano is another guy making a run at his first MVP award in 2010. Through 75 games, the second baseman is hitting a cool .359 to go along with 15 dingers and 53 RBI. His OPS of more than 1.000 from his position is phenomenal. It looks as though we’re seeing the next Yankees superstar.

Third Base – Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays: Longoria is a budding star with a fantastic all-around game. He hits for average and power, has an incredible glove and possesses good speed. You can pretty much inset him into this slot on an annual basis, barring injury or a major late-career resurgence from A-Rod in the Bronx.

Shortstop – Derek Jeter, New York Yankees: One could put Texas’ Elvis Andrus here and I wouldn’t argue with it, but I’d give the nod to Jeter based on his career. He’s not having a great season and his average is a bit down, but he’s playing solid defense and leading the best team in baseball.

Outfield – Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers: Hamilton has been on fire in June and he’s again looking like one of the best players in baseball. With 18 home runs and 57 RBI through 72 games, he’s one of the game’s premier power hitters, but factor in his .346 average and he has to be considered one of the game’s premier players, period.

Outfield – Alex Rios, Chicago White Sox: Rios has always flashed the potential to be a star player, but he’s finally making good on all of his promise in 2010. He’s become a legitimate dual threat, belting 13 homers and swiping 21 bases through 70 games. Add in his .312 average and an OPS of over .900 and you’ve got a big-time player.

Outfield – Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays: Crawford doesn’t get a ton of love, but he deserves it. He’s hitting over .300 while scoring runs and stealing bases with the best of them. He gets overshadowed by some of his younger and more talented teammates in Tampa, but he deserves the starting nod this July.

Pitcher – David Price, Tampa Bay Rays: After a down 2009 season, his first full year in the bigs, Price has been the cream of the A.L. crop in 2010. One could make a very good case for Boston’s Jon Lester, but I think you have to give the nod to the 11-3 Price. With an ERA of 2.44, Price has been the best pitcher in the American League thus far.

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