Projecting the 2017 MLB All-Stars at the quarter mark of the season
The 2017 MLB All-Star Game is two months away, but it's not too early to consider the top considers with voting open. The following rundown features the best candidates for the All-Star Game through one quarter of the season.
AL Catcher: Salvador Perez
Perez has been one of the few bright spots for the Royals. Not only is he having another fine defensive season, but he's hitting .283-7-21 through 127 at-bats.
NL Catcher: Buster Posey
Despite a very short DL stint, Posey has been the NL's top catcher again. He's hitting .370-6-10 with a 1.026 OPS through 108 at-bats.
AL First Baseman: Yonder Alonso
No one would have thought Alonso would be the top first baseman in the AL coming into the year, but he's been great for Oakland. He's hitting .291-12-29 through 110 at-bats.
NL First Baseman: Ryan Zimmerman
Zimmerman has rebounded after a horrendous 2016 season, hitting an incredible .385-13-36 in 130 at-bats. He's also likely the top candidate for MVP in the league.
AL Second Baseman: Robinson Cano
It's been another great offensive season for Cano. The Seattle slugger is hitting .296-8-28 with an .895 OPS.
NL Second Baseman: Daniel Murphy
Those who thought Murphy's 2016 season was a fluke are being proven wrong early this year. He's hitting .317-6-30 with a .916 OPS.
AL Third Baseman: Miguel Sano
Sano is delivering on his offensive promise early this year, hitting .297-10-30 with 28 walks. He's a clear AL MVP candidate.
NL Third Baseman: Jedd Gyorko
Gyorko entered the year sharing time at third base with Jhonny Peralta, but he's run away with the starting job. He's hitting .333-7-18 through 108 at-bats with a 1.010 OPS.
AL Shortstop: Francisco Lindor
Lindor became a household name during the playoffs last year, and he's built on his strong run. He's hitting .282-8-20 with an .888 OPS
NL Shortstop: Corey Seager
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year is having another fine season. He's hitting .283-6-21 with an .861 OPS for the Dodgers.
AL Outfielder: Aaron Judge
Judge has been the talk of the early season in baseball. The big power hitter is batting .316-14-29 with a 1.164 OPS in 117 at-bats.
NL Outfielder: Bryce Harper
Harper has been terrific after a subpar 2016 season. He's hitting .384-12-34 as a top MVP candidate.
AL Outfielder: Mike Trout
It's just another year for Trout, the best player in the game. He's hitting .352-11-26 with seven steals and a league-leading 1.187 OPS for the Angels.
NL Outfielder: Michael Conforto
Conforto struggled to find at-bats during the start of the year, but he's more than played himself into the Mets' lineup. Batting leadoff for much of the year, he's hitting .343-9-24 with a 1.116 OPS.
AL Outfielder: Mookie Betts
Betts struggled in April but is making up for lost time. The Red Sox superstar is hitting .296-6-25 with 16/11 BB/K and a .901 OPS.
NL Outfielder: Marcell Ozuna
Giancarlo Stanton gets most of the headlines in Miami, but Ozuna has been an even better player this season. He's hitting .316-11-29 in 136 at-bats.
AL DH: Nelson Cruz
Cruz continues to age like a fine wine in Seattle. He's hitting .318-8-31 with a .964 OPS as the team's primary DH.
NL DH: Freddie Freeman
Freeman has struggled to get noticed in Atlanta, but he's having another monster year. He's hitting .344-12-20 with 25 walks and a 1.197 OPS.
AL Starting Pitcher: Chris Sale
Sales has been in a league of his own early this season. He has a staggering 85 strikeouts, 23 more than any other pitcher, a 2.15 ERA and 0.77 WHIP in 58.2 innings.
NL Starting Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw has been great, as usual, this season. He has a 2.43 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 57/8 K/BB in 55.2 innings.
AL Starting Pitcher: Dallas Keuchel
The 2015 AL Cy Young winner has made a complete comeback this year. Keuchel has a 1.69 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 58.2 innings.
NL Starting Pitcher: Mike Leake
Leake didn't pitch well in his first season with the Cardinals, but he's turned his luck around this season. He has a 1.94 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 46.1 innings.
AL Starting Pitcher: Jason Vargas
Vargas is pitching like the new Jamie Moyer, posting a 1.01 ERA and walking only eight batters in 44.2 innings with his mid-80s fastball.
NL Starting Pitcher: Ivan Nova
Nova continues to ride his pinpoint control to success. He has a 2.48 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 54.1 innings for the Pirates.
AL Relief Pitcher: Chris Devenski
While Devenski isn't closing games, he has been the most valuable relief pitcher in baseball this season. The right-hander has a 3.09 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 43/6 K/BB in 23.1 innings for the Astros.
NL Relief Pitcher: Kenley Jansen
Jansen edges Cubs closer Wade Davis for the top honor in the NL at the moment, but it's awfully close. The Dodgers closer has allowed two earned runs in 14.2 innings with 28/0 K/BB. Davis still has a 0.00 ERA but has a a little less dominant 20/5 K/BB in 15.1 innings.
More must-reads: