 | The Phillies' Chase Utley has taken over as the top second baseman in the National League. AP |
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Click here for my American League All-Star selections. (All stats are through Wednesday's games.)
First base
Choose from these three: Lance Berkman, Astros; Ryan Howard, Phillies; Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Watch out for: Nick Johnson, Nationals; Carlos Delgado, Mets
Starter: Pujols. We all know about Pujols, the best hitter -- the best player -- in baseball. I say "player" because Pujols is arguably the best defensive first baseman available, too. (The Cubs' Derrek Lee is hurt.) The backup at this position will be the tough call, not that fans have to make it. Berkman, if his knee holds up and he continues to produce, deserves the honor.
Second base
Choose from these three: Craig Biggio, Astros; Chase Utley, Phillies; Rickie Weeks, Brewers
Watch out for: Dan Uggla, Marlins
Starter: Utley. He's everything you want in a second baseman: scrappy, with some power, and he can get on base (a .391 on-base percentage). Utley edges out rookie Weeks (who merits consideration despite a porous glove) and Biggio here, though it'd be hard to argue too much against the seven-time Houston All-Star, who leads NL second basemen with 25 extra-base hits.
Shortstop
Choose from these three: David Eckstein, Cardinals; Edgar Renteria, Braves; Omar Vizquel, Giants
Watch out for: Khalil Greene, Padres; Hanley Ramirez, Marlins; Jack Wilson, Pirates
Starter: Renteria. This could go any number of ways in the next month. Ramirez, a rookie, has power, speed (16 stolen bases) and leads NL shortstops in runs scored (44). Vizquel leads in on-base percentage (.419), though Renteria is close at .407. Eckstein has a high batting average with a solid on-base percentage. Greene leads NL shortstops in homers and extra-base hits, though his batting average is scary bad at .221. For now, it's Renteria for his all-around good play.
