Picking baseball's all-star starters

Jim Baumbach

1:52 PM EDT, June 24, 2008

There's three weeks left until the All-Star Game, so let's take a look at the players who we believe deserve the honor of starting the big game at Yankee Stadium.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

C

Joe Mauer, Minnesota

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Surprisingly hasn't developed any power, but he's hitting .331 with a .417 on-base percentage.

1B

Kevin Youkilis, Boston

If Jason Giambi's average was higher, maybe. But Youkilis (.304/.376/.540.) has him beat overall.

2B

Ian Kinsler, Texas

He's developing into the league's best offensive second baseman. He has 36 extra-base hits in 312 ABs.

3B

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees

Even with time on DL, his numbers are tops. He's at .332/.410/.615 with 17 doubles and 14 home runs.

SS

Derek Jeter, Yankees

Wow, what an awful crop of AL shortstops this year. Jeter (279/.336/.379) arguably has the best stats.

OF

Josh Hamilton, Texas

He's hitting .312 and is on pace to hit 41 home runs and drive in 162 runs.