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All-Star Picks, 2010

It's become a bit of a Twinkie Town tradition.  If you want a blast from the past, check out previous editions from 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Catcher

Joe Mauer

#7 / Catcher / Minnesota Twins

6-5

230

L

R

Apr 19, 1983

 

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Joe Mauer 72 271 44 82 24 1 3 34 33 27 1 2 .303 .377 .432

Make all the arguments you want for another American League catcher, but this guy is the best.  He just is.

Previous Selections:  3  (2006, 2008, 2009)
Runner Up:  Victor Martinez, Red Sox

First Base


 

Justin Morneau

#33 / First Base / Minnesota Twins

6-4

235

L

R

May 15, 1981

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Justin Morneau 79 288 51 99 25 1 17 55 49 60 0 0 .344 .437 .615

 


 

This one is actually a pretty close choice, because Miguel Caberra is having an incredible season.  But I have to go with Justin, because he has been the center piece of the Minnesota offense all season.  When Mauer was hurt, and when Mauer wasn't hitting like Mauer, Justin was there for you.  With a hockey stick.

Previous Selections:  3  (2007 - 2009)
Runner-Up:  Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

Second Base


Robinson Cano

#24 / Second Base / New York Yankees

6-0

205

L

R

Oct 22, 1982

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Robinson Cano 81 318 59 109 22 1 16 55 25 38 2 2 .343 .396 .569



Cano is a great baseball player.  He just is.  He's raking in extra-base hits, and because his batting average is so incredibly high it off-sets the fact that he doesn't actually walk that often...and he still has a superb on-base percentage.  But man...I hate it when I have to vote Yankee.

Previous Selections:  1  (2006)
Runner-Up:  Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox

Third Base


Adrian Beltre

#29 / Third Base / Boston Red Sox

5-11

220

R

R

Apr 07, 1979

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Adrian Beltre 79 302 40 103 24 1 12 53 18 49 1 1 .341 .378 .546



Fewer home runs than his runner-up MVP season of '04, but he's still having a monster year.  Oh yeah, he plays some pretty damn fine defense, too.

Previous Selections:  0
Runner-Up:  Evan Longoria, Rays

Shortstop


Derek Jeter

#2 / Short Stop / New York Yankees

6-3

195

R

R

Jun 26, 1974

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Derek Jeter 79 338 55 95 16 1 8 39 31 51 9 3 .281 .348 .405



Ladies and gentlemen...a high Derek Jeter.  Seriously though, he's the benefactor of an exceptionally weak shortstop class this season.  He typically hits much better in every facet of his game, so I have to ask:  is this finally the season where we see Jeter's skills start to decline?  He just turned 36, so...maybe.

Jeter:  Okay, let me know when you're gonna take the picture.  [Camera clicks]  HEY!

Previous Selections:  10  (1998 - 2002, 2004, 2006 - 2009)
Runner-Up:  Alexei Ramirez, White Sox

Left Field


Josh Hamilton

#32 / Left Field / Texas Rangers

6-4

240

L

L

May 21, 1981

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Josh Hamilton 78 313 55 106 23 2 20 61 23 66 6 1 .339 .385 .617



This guy is having an absolute monster season.  I know he's starting the actual All-Star game in center, but he's been playing a lot of left and he's listed as a left fielder.  So here he is.

Previous Selections:  2  (2008, 2009)
Runner-Up:  Carl Crawford, Rays

Center Field


Torii Hunter

#48 / Center Field / Los Angeles Angels

6-2

225

R

R

Jul 18, 1975

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Torii Hunter 79 289 49 85 24 0 14 60 37 55 7 8 .294 .376 .522



Another great offensive season for a center fielder, Hunter continues to actually get better with age.  Congrats, Torii.  You deserve it.

Previous Selections:  3  (2002, 2007, 2009)
Runner-Up:  Alex Rios, White Sox

Right Field


Ichiro Suzuki

#51 / Right Field / Seattle Mariners

5-11

170

L

R

Oct 22, 1973

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Ichiro Suzuki 81 332 33 109 17 2 3 24 28 42 22 7 .328 .383 .419



Another Ichiro-esque season.  He does it in his sleep.

Previous Selections:  9  (2001 - 2009)
Runner-Up:  David DeJesus, Royals

Designated Hitter


Vladimir Guerrero

#27 / Designated Hitter / Texas Rangers

6-3

235

R

R

Feb 09, 1975

 


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2010 - Vladimir Guerrero 77 297 52 98 14 1 18 70 20 27 4 3 .330 .374 .566



I never thought Vlad was quite finished, even if he can't field and can barely run.  Good for him.  This competition isn't even close.

Previous Selections:  8  (1999 - 2002, 2004 - 2007)
Runner-Up:  David Ortiz, Red Sox

That's it!  Those are the nine guys I think are most deserving, and their backups.  What about you--who do you like?  Is anybody being unfairly excluded?