The All Star break is upon us and baseball fans are getting ready to watch undoubtedly the greatest All Star event in sports. While Major League Baseball divides the All Star Game into an American League team and a National League team, we here at eDraft are doing things a little differently: creating a team for each division.
The American League Central may not be baseball's absolute greatest division, but there is clearly no shortage of star power. Here is how eDraft's 2013 AL Central All Star team lines up:
C Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins (.321, 8 HR, 32 RBI)
Mauer is a perennial All Star and is having yet another impressive season this year. He leads all American League catchers in batting average and is among the leaders in power numbers as well. He will start the All Star Game for the American League.
1B Prince Fielder - Detroit Tigers (.270, 16 HR, 69 RBI)
The Prince has had his ups and downs this season, but his power numbers are impressive once again. Fielder hits behind Miguel Cabrera in the lineup, and sometimes opposing pitchers will walk Cabrera so they can pitch to Fielder instead. Prince almost always seems to make them pay, getting all sorts of clutch hits for Detroit.
2B Jason Kipnis - Cleveland Indians (.297, 13 HR, 55 RBI, 21 SB)
Kipnis is the kind of guy who can do anything from an offensive standpoint. He has a solid batting average, puts up above-average power numbers for a second baseman, and is a serious threat on the bases.
3B Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers (.367, 30 HR, 95 RBI)
Not really any debate here. The reigning Triple Crown winner is making a push to win the elusive award for the second year in a row.
SS Jhonny Peralta - Detroit Tigers (.300, 7 HR, 44 RBI)
Speaking of Triple Crowns, Peralta has one in terms of AL Central shortstops. He has the highest batting average among all American League shortstops, and also has some of the highest power numbers of those who play his position.
OF Alex Gordon - Kansas City Royals (.281, 9 HR, 48 RBI)
Gordon, once a highly-touted prospect, has become one of the better-hitting outfielders in the American League. He had an impressive 2012 and is following it up with an equally impressive 2013.
OF Torii Hunter - Detroit Tigers (.312, 6 HR, 43 RBI)
Hunter is still getting it done at the plate. He is hitting well over the .300 mark, has decent power numbers, and is second to only Mike Trout in doubles for American League outfielders.
OF Alex Rios - Chicago White Sox (.273, 11 HR, 40 RBI, 19 SB)
Rios had a tough 2011, leaving some to criticize White Sox GM Kenny Williams for Rios's huge contract, but he followed up with a great year in 2012 and is having another decent one in 2013. He leads all AL Central outfielders in home runs and is also a definite threat to steal bases.
DH Eric Hosmer - Kansas City Royals (.286, 9 HR, 40 RBI)
Hosmer is technically a first baseman and not a designated hitter, but he is the next-best hitter in the division. Like Gordon, he was once a highly-touted prospect and is now proving his worth in the Major Leagues.
SP Max Scherzer - Detroit Tigers (13-1, 3.19 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 152 K)
Scherzer's undefeated streak finally came to an end Saturday night as he suffered his first loss of the season. He is also second in the American League in strikeouts and second in WHIP. He is one of the top favorites to start on the mound for the American League in the All Star Game.
RP Greg Holland - Kansas City Royals (22 saves, 1.80 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 60 K)
Holland leads all American League relievers in strikeouts and is the AL Central leader in saves.
RP Glen Perkins - Minnesota Twins (21 saves, 1.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 45 K)
Like Holland, Perkins is one of the best closers in the American League. He trails only former Twin closer Joe Nathan in WHIP while his other stats are very impressive as well.