Picking 2 very different types of All-Star squads

Everybody has their own strategy for filling out an All-Star ballot. Some people pick the players who have had the best first halves. Others pick the guys they think are the best. Some people just pick the players they most want to see. And some simply pick all the names on their favorite team. It takes all kinds.

Most fans we know, though, attempt to merge those first three notions. They look for the stars we all want to see; they try to make it fit into a cohesive unit and they try to reward guys who are having great first seasons. It’s all a big stew. You stir it together and hope it turns out well.

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But I wonder: Which of these approaches would make a better team? In crunch time, who wins between a team of players who would boast the highest “star” rating, and a team of players that’s simply putting up the best numbers over the first few months?

I decided to try to find out. Below is a look at each roster.

TEAM OF STARS

American League

Catcher: Salvador Perez, Royals

By far the most recognizable name here, and not just because Royals fans will always vote for him.

First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

I’ll still want to watch him in All-Star Games when we’ve all met Vladimir Guerrero III.

Second Base: Jose Altuve, Astros

Sure, a lot of people might boo him, fairly or unfairly, but we all want to watch him.

Shortstop: Tim Anderson, White Sox

After three weeks on the IL, he's injury-free, and the All-Star Game will be so much better for it.

Third Base: José Ramírez, Guardians

Ramírez seems likely to be perpetually underappreciated, but this year may be his best chance to win that elusive MVP Award.

Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Aaron Judge, Yankees; Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees

The first two are no-brainers. And Stanton, when he’s not injured, is the other larger-than-life titan in the Yankees' outfield.

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Angels

The one player everyone always wants to see, and surely always will.

National League

Catcher: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

He’s retiring at the end of the year, and you can’t vote for Buster Posey anymore.

First Base: Pete Alonso, Mets

Alonso is already a Home Run Derby legend, so why not an All-Star Game legend, too?

Second Base: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins

One of the most electrifying young players in the game.

Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Mets

With apologies to Trea Turner and the injured Fernando Tatis Jr., Mr. Smile has never had more to smile about than the start to this year in Queens.

Third Base: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals

It feels like, nationally, Arenado has lost a little bit of his sparkle since moving to St. Louis, but that’s nonsense: He’s as delightful and bright a star as he has always been.

Outfield: Mookie Betts, Dodgers; Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves; Cody Bellinger, Dodgers

The first two are easy. You could go with Juan Soto for the last slot, or Kris Bryant, or even Joc Pederson and his pearls. But Bellinger, still, has a jersey that outsells them all.

Designated Hitter: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Like you wouldn’t want to see him one final time, in his 11th All-Star Game.

I’d guess the lineups look like this:

AL

1. Anderson
2. Trout
3. Guerrero Jr.
4. Judge
5. Ramírez
6. Ohtani
7. Stanton
8. Altuve
9. Perez

NL

1. Chisholm
2. Acuña Jr.
3. Betts
4. Alonso
5. Arenado
6. Bellinger
7. Pujols
8. Lindor
9. Molina

TEAM OF THE FIRST HALF

American League

Catcher: Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays

It’s slim pickings at this position, making it easier for Kirk to stand out.

First Base: Luis Arraez, Twins

He’s hitting like Peak Ichiro, with a .362 average.

Second Base: Andrés Giménez, Guardians

One of the main reasons this team is in first place right now.

Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox

In a crowded AL shortstop picture, Bogaerts has been the best so far.

Third Base: José Ramírez, Guardians

Our first crossover so far, and how could he not be?

Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Aaron Judge, Yankees; Taylor Ward, Angels

The first two are still easy, while Ward holds off Kyle Tucker, George Springer, Josh Naylor and a few others for the last spot.

Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros

It is possible he will dominate designated hitter leaderboards for a decade the way David Ortiz once did.

National League

Catcher: Willson Contreras, Cubs

If he’s still a Cub by the All-Star break, anyway.

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

He’s never won an MVP Award, but that might change in 2022.

Second Base: Jeff McNeil, Mets

Perhaps the primary sparkplug for the most pleasant surprise in baseball so far.

Shortstop: Tommy Edman, Cardinals

By both major forms of WAR, Edman has been one of the 10 best players in baseball so far.

Third Base: Manny Machado, Padres

The ankle issue should still have him back in time for the ASG, and maybe in time to keep his MVP case going.

Outfield: Mookie Betts, Dodgers; Ian Happ, Cubs; Joc Pederson, Giants

We could have found a spot for Soto here, but he’s having one of the worst first halves of his career so far, although his numbers are still comparable to Happ’s and Pederson’s.

Designated Hitter: Bryce Harper, Phillies

Harper will be back in the outfield next year. For now, though, it’s smooth sailing for him as a DH.

And here are the lineups:

NL

1. Edman
2. Betts
3. Machado
4. Harper
5. Goldschmidt
6. McNeil
7. Pederson
8. Contreras
9. Happ

AL

1. Arraez
2. Trout
3. Judge
4. Alvarez
5. Ramírez
6. Bogaerts
7. Ward
8. Giménez
9. Kirk

All told, I think I’ll take the star-studded team? Though I’d probably take the AL either way.

If this exercise has taught me anything, it’s this: There are so many great players here that I really can’t go wrong whatever way I fill out my ballot.