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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.
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.
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
Anderson
Trout
Guerrero Jr.
Judge
Ramírez
Ohtani
Stanton
Altuve
Perez
NL
Chisholm
Acuña Jr.
Betts
Alonso
Arenado
Bellinger
Pujols
Lindor
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.
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
Edman
Betts
Machado
Harper
Goldschmidt
McNeil
Pederson
Contreras
Happ
AL
Arraez
Trout
Judge
Alvarez
Ramírez
Bogaerts
Ward
Giménez
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.