Fantasy All-Star Team: The Hitters

Taking some inspiration from Major League Baseball, I'm here to construct a fantasy all-star team. This team is very draftable... I'm building it using ADPs, so it's totally reasonable that you could've picked every player on this team. I'll give you my rationale for each pick as we go through, position-by-position, the lineup.

Catcher: Geovany Soto, CHC 

I don't think there's any question that Soto has been fantasy's best value at catcher, with a .902 OPS, .289 average and 15 HR. Brian McCann has comparable numbers, Joe Mauer a significantly better average, and Russell Martin the bonus 9 steals, but each went so much earlier they off-set the gains. ESPN ADP = 186.0

First Base: Adrian Gonzalez, SD

He was fantasy's best-kept secret in 2007, going 30/100/101 with a .282 average. This year, his average sits at .281, but he already has 22 HR and 70 RBI. While Ryan Howard sits near the Menoza line, Albert Pujols battles injury, and Prince Fielder struggles to drive in runs, Gonzalez continues to produce like a first-round pick. Honorable mention goes to Derrek Lee, who has a higher average but lesser power numbers and was taken higher. ESPN ADP = 70.6

Second Base: Ian Kinsler, TEX

Who would've thought this would be my most difficult position so far? I am honestly torn between Kinsler, Dan Uggla, and Chase Utley. Because of my next pick, I've eliminated Utley, but Uggla and Kinsler have both provided such stellar value. The Ranger's 23 steals, however, make him the choice. His hit streak has his average up to .338, and he has 14 HR, 23 SB, and 80 runs scored! ESPN ADP = 77.0

Third Base: Chipper Jones, ATL

I flirted with giving this title to a couple of others, but the Braves vet has been simply outstanding so far in 2008. The average (down to .384 as of 7/8) gets the publicity, but the 18 HR, 50 RBI, and 54 R, minus games missed for that quad injury, put him on pace for an easy 35/100/100 season. With Jones, it's always been a question of health, and we'll see if he can stave off injury for the rest of the year to be the best at season's end. ESPN ADP = 54.6

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, FLA

I have to choose someone from the first round. Whether due to injury (A-Rod, J-Roll) or underperformance (Santana, Cabrera, Wright), most of the first round has struggled so far. Utley and H-Ram have been the exceptions. The Marlin shortstop is already 20/20 and his average sits at .302. Those numbers are right in line with expectations, and that, combined with the lack of depth at SS, makes him my choice. ESPN ADP = 2.6

Outfield: Grady Sizemore, CLE; Josh Hamilton, TEX; Nate McLouth, PIT

All three have been producers in all five categories, which makes them extremely valuable. Sizemore's .269 average may be a little disappointing to his owners, but being on pace for 40/40/100/100 is just awesome. And don't worry about his second-half, because Grady's BABIP is still way low. I can't say enough good things about Josh Hamilton. I think the ridiculous 85 first-half RBIs speak for themselves. He slowed a little in June, but has been as consistent overall as any player in fantasy. McLouth, finally, had a slow June but still makes it on to this team because of his five-category production. 20/20 is a near-certainty and 30/20 or 25/25 are not out of the question at all. Pittsburgh finally gave him his shot and he's not willing to let go. ESPN ADP = Sizemore 18.1, Hamilton 111.9, McLouth 192.9

Utility: Lance Berkman, HOU

Okay, I confess to some bias against Berkman because I don't own him in any formats. And I was actually thinking about leaving him off the team because he and Brandon Webb were taken back-to-back. But Berkman's numbers are so good that I can't justify taking Webb over him. .348/22/70/74/12... translated over a full season, even if he slumps, you have a guy who hits .333 with 40 HR, 120 runs and RBI, and 20 steals. ESPN ADP = 30.0

I will have pitchers published tomorrow - I have some names in mind, and will run the numbers to make sure I'm not forgetting anyone. Let me know where you think I messed up, but remember, this team has to be draftable (hence I must exclude Webb by including Berkman).