The '11 Brewers in the All-Star Game

OK this is uncharted territory for the Brewers.

Here are the Brewers All-Star representatives since 1984:


1984- Jim Sundberg C
1985- Cecil Cooper 1B, Paul Molitor 3B
1986- Ted Higuera P
1987- Dan Plesac P
1988- Paul Molitor 2B, Dan Plesac P
1989- Dan Plesac P
1990- Dave Parker DH
1991- Paul Molitor 3B
1992- Paul Molitor 1B
1993- Greg Vaughn OF
1994- Ricky Bones P
1995- Kevin Seitzer 3B
1996- Greg Vaughn OF
1997- Jeff Cirillo 3B
1998- Fernando Viña 2B
1999- Jeromy Burnitz OF, Dave Nilsson C
2000- Bob Wickman P
2001- Ben Sheets P
2002- Richie Sexson 1B, Jose Hernandez SS
2003- Richie Sexson 1B, Geoff Jenkins OF
2004- Ben Sheets P, Dan Kolb P
2005- Carlos Lee OF
2006- Carlos Lee OF, Derrick Turnbow P, Chris Capuano P
2007- Prince Fielder 1B, J. J. Hardy SS, Ben Sheets P, Francisco Cordero P
2008- Ryan Braun OF, Corey Hart OF, Ben Sheets P
2009- Ryan Braun OF, Prince Fielder 1B, Trevor Hoffman P
2010- Ryan Braun OF, Yovani Gallardo P, Corey Hart OF

Turnbow!!

ok I was surprised to see multiple all-stars in 8 of the last 9 years. Now look at the decade prior. I grew up in the 80's and 90's and if you don't understand my obsession with this year's team, imagine a team where Kevin Seitzer or Bob Wickman was your lone all-star. I watch the all-star game every year and get excited when I get to see a Brewer. It sucks when your team stinks and you stay up late just waiting to see if Ricky Bones gets to pitch (he didn't).

This year's team is a bit different. Instead of who it will be how many?? 6?? 7??

Let's look at em:

The Position Players

Ryan Braun, LF

the competition

um, spontaneous combustion?? Braun is the leading vote getter in the NL and will be there unless physically impossible.

Prince Fielder, 1B

the competition

Albert Pujols
Joey Votto

With Pujols out Prince should get the start. Votto deserves to be there too with 9 HR 44 RBI and .314/.436/.486 but the Prince has 20 HR and 65 RBI along with .307/.430/.610 Yeah that's 1.040 OPS better than Votto's number last year.

Rickie Weeks

the competition

Brandon Phillips

Phillips somehow still leads Rickie (maybe I should be voting). Weeks .290/.360/.500 compared to Phillips .283/.337/.387. Weeks has 14 HR to Phillips' 5...ok Phillips has more RBI. Weeks has a WAR of 2.6, Phillips is 0.8.

Jonathon Lucroy

the competition

Buster Posey
Yadier Molina
Brian McCann
Miguel Montero
Chris Iannetta
John Buck

McCann is the clear favorite here, Montero is probably #2 after that the 3rd spot is a photo finish. If Lucroy hadn't started the season on the DL he would probably have the edge but the other guys are too close to give it to Luc.

Hart McGehee Yuni and CF

the competition

everybody else getting injured

they're the anti-Braun

starting pitcher

this is where it gets difficult

Shawn Marcum

7-2 2.95 ERA

Yovani Gallardo

9-4 3.92 ERA

Zack Greinke

7-2 4.77 ERA

the competition

everyone

it's pretty much a crap shoot. I would guess it's between Marcum and Gallardo. Doubtful Brewers get 2 starters much less 3. Marcum has better numbers but has struggled recently and Yo has the history. Pick one I go with Yo. Greinke missed a month and has an ERA outside the top 50 in the NL.

relief pitcher

Jonathan Axford

the competition

Huston Street
Brian Wilson
Joel Hanrahan
JJ Putz
Francisco Rodriguez
Leo Nunez
Craig Kimbrel
Heath Bell
Drew Storen
Francisco Cordero

throw a dart and hit a closer.

there is very little to distinguish the closers in the NL. The leader so far is probably Hanrahan who sports a sub-1.000 WHIP with a 1.24 ERA and has yet to blow a save. Good for him.

As for our boy Axford he has more K's than the guys in front of him in saves except for Kimbrel (who has 5 blown saves).

Best guess here:

Hanrahan
Wilson
Street
Rodriguez
Putz
Axford
Cordero

summary

ultimately I say 5 all-stars

Braun
Prince
Weeks
Yovani
Axford