Detroit Tigers: Fantasy Baseball All-Stars

Jun 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) batting against Texas Rangers in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays beat Rangers 3 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

All-Star voting officially closed at midnight Friday morning. Royals fans – you can finally stop creating e-mail addresses and get some rest.

As true with every season, there are worthy starters for each league that don’t get recognized because of the fan vote. Don’t get me wrong, democracy is a great thing, there just isn’t a scarier thing than an uninformed voter.

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Voters also use their biases while casting ballots, and to major league baseball, that’s ok. This leads to unworthy starters, but it does also make the All-Star vote unique. Just like the old argument used against instant reply, there is a “human element” to the voting rather than it being based on just statistics.

In fantasy baseball, however, statistics are the only thing that matters. Here are the fantasy baseball All-Stars in the American League:

Jun 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) reacts after scoring a run against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher: Stephen Vogt, Oakland

Vogt has cooled off considerably in June since hitting .322 through May, but he is still the best choice at catcher in the AL.

The Oakland catcher is slashing .290/.382/.508 and leads all AL catchers with 13 home runs and 53 RBI, which is tied for third in the entire AL with Miguel Cabrera.

Credit Vogt’s breakout season to his plate discipline; he has 39 walks, which is tied for ninth in the American League, but seven of the eight players ahead of him on the walk list have more at-bats.

Jun 30, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) breaks his bat grounding out in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

First Baseman: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit

First base is a crowded position. Prince Fielder is hitting .345 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI, and Albert Pujols leads the AL with 24 homers and all AL first basemen with 48 runs scored.

But Miggy is Miggy. He is slashing .345/.453/.575 with 15 bombs and 53 RBI. His 1.028 OPS is third in all of baseball behind only Bryce Harper and Paul Goldschmidt.

Jul 1, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) works out prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Second Baseman: Jason Kipnis, Cleveland

Kipnis even said it himself that he has no chance to start the All-Star Game, but if it were up to fantasy owners, he absolutely would.

The Indians second baseman is leading the American League in hitting with a .347 average. He also leads the AL with 26 doubles and has 35 RBI, 55 runs with 10 stolen bases.

His .935 OPS is nearly 80 points higher than any other second baseman in the AL.

Jun 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) drives in three runs with a double against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Boston

It’s too bad wizard-like defensive plays do not count towards fantasy baseball statistics. Otherwise, Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias would be the run away choice here.

Iglesias does have higher average than Bogaerts (.324 vs. .297), but Bogaerts has 24 more RBI and 17 more runs.

Bogaerts is slashing .297/.331/.410 with 23 extra-base hits, 35 RBI and 34 runs.

Jun 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner (11) reacts after a pitch during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Left Fielder: Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

Gardner threw his hat into the All-Star ring with a sizzling June where he hit .351 with five home runs, 11 doubles, 18 RBI, 27 runs and a 1.033 OPS.

The hot month has turned Gardner into one of the most well-rounded fantasy outfielders in the American League. He is a classic five-category player with these numbers: .304, nine home runs, 39 RBI, 58 runs and 15 stolen bases.

July 1, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Center Fielder: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

If we are talking strictly AL center fielders and not doing just three outfield positions, Trout is a runaway choice in center.

He is second in the AL to only teammate Albert Pujols with 21 home runs. He also has18 doubles, 44 RBI, 57 runs and nine steals.

His OPS is over 170 points better than Adam Jones’, who is second among AL center fielders in OPS. Trout is slashing .303/.393/.590 this year.

Jul 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a three run home run in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Right Fielder: J.D. Martinez, Detroit

Like Kipnis and Gardner, it is highly unlikely Martinez starts the All-Star Game in Cincinnati, but fantasy baseball owners love him right now.

He has found his stroke in the opposite field again, and Martinez hit 11 homers in June. He also drove in 26 RBI and 16 runs in the month.

Martinez’s 21 bombs tie him for second in the American League with Mike Trout. He is slashing .281/.334/.545 with 51 RBI and 46 runs in 292 at-bats.

Jul 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) hits a two run home run during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Designated Hitter: Nelson Cruz, Seattle

Cruz cooled off in June, but he will ride a hot April and May to a starting position in the All-Star Game. He hit .335 through the first two months with 18 home runs and 38 RBI.

Overall, Cruz is slashing .303/.367/.552 with 20 homers, 48 RBI and 39 runs in 290 at-bats this season.

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