The 2016 MLB All-Star Game is less than a month away, and players continue to build their cases for an All-Star game appearance. Last year, first time All-Stars was a theme, and this year could be a similar story. Here are the American League players worthy of a starting spot in the 2016 All-Star Game.
Catcher -- Salvador Perez -- Kansas City Royals
2016 stats: .295 average, 11 home runs, 32 RBIs and 13 doubles
Perez was the starter on last year's squad and has continued to hit. The postseason workload over the past two years has not affected his bat this year as he leads AL catchers in homers (11), average (.294) and RBIs (32). He is also first among catchers with 62 hits and is second to only Oakland's Stephen Vogt with 13 doubles. Perez is no stranger to All-Star games, having been selected the past three years, and he is very deserving of another appearance this year.
First base -- Eric Hosmer -- Kansas City Royals
2016 stats: .315 average, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs and 78 hits
First base was a toss up between Hosmer and Tigers' first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Hosmer is first among AL first basemen in hits (76), average (.315), and is second in RBIs (41) and doubles (13). He has been a key part to a Royals' lineup that has lost Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas. Surprisingly, Hosmer has not been selected to an All-Star Game, so now is the perfect time for the 26-year-old to start on one of the biggest stages in baseball.
Second base -- Jose Altuve -- Houston Astros
2016 stats: .346 average, 10 home runs, 38 RBIs and 18 stolen bases
This year, second base is flooded with players having career starts to a season including Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia and Robinson Cano. Altuve comes out on top, second in the league in average (.346) and hits (91) to only Xander Bogaerts. On the bases, he is 18-for-20 in stolen bases. Altuve has also flashed additional power this year, and at 10 homers is only five away from his season high of 15 set last year. A two-time All-Star, Altuve deserves to start for the second year in a row.
Shortstop -- Bogaerts -- Boston Red Sox
2016 stats: .352 average, eight home runs, 45 RBIs and 20 doubles.
While second base was a toss up, shortstop was a no brainer. Bogaerts currently leads the majors with 96 hits, and is second with a .352 average. He has started to look like the player that the Red Sox expected him to be, and has displayed five-tools throughout the 2016 season. The 23-year-old looks to be on his way to his first All-Star Game appearance of his career.
Third base -- Manny Machado -- Baltimore Orioles
2016 stats: .308 average, 17 home runs, 41 RBIs and 26 doubles
Machado has continued to grow into his power, currently second in the AL with 17 homers. It seems like the 23-year-old has been around for a while, currently in the fifth season of his career. Machado has had two previous All-Star Game appearances, and is looking for the first start of his career.
Left field -- Ian Desmond -- Texas Rangers
2016 stats: .314 average, 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and 18 doubles
Although Desmond has moved over to center field after starting the season in left, it is hard to leave him out after the start he has had. Desmond leads AL outfielders with 83 hits, is second with 18 doubles and tied third with 44 RBIs. He is also 12-for-14 in stolen base attempts. He has been a pivotal bat in the Rangers' lineup that has battled injuries. Desmond has also made a nice transition to the outfield from short and is certainly worthy of a starting spot in the American League outfield.
Center field -- Mike Trout -- Los Angeles Angels
2016 stats: .305 average, 13 home runs, 44 RBIs, 14 doubles
Although Jackie Bradley Jr. and Desmond are crafting great seasons of their own, it is hard not to go with the perennial MVP candidate Trout in center field. Trout is quietly putting up another great season hitting .305 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs. He is also 9-for-10 in stolen base attempts after swiping only 11 bags a year ago. Trout is definitely deserving of a fifth straight All-Star Game appearance.
Right field -- Mark Trumbo -- Baltimore Orioles
2016 stats: .283 average, 20 home runs, 49 RBIs and 11 doubles
This offseason Trumbo and C.J. Riefenhauser were traded from the Mariners to the Orioles in exchange for catcher Steve Clevenger. You can guess who has gotten the most out of that deal so far. Trumbo has been on a tear in 2016, returning to the player that he was back with the Angels. He leads the American League with 20 homers and is fourth in RBIs with 49. Trumbo was previously an All-Star in 2012, and should start in 2016.
Designated hitter -- David Ortiz --Boston Red Sox
2016 stats: .344 average, 18 home runs, 57 RBIs and 29 doubles
The 40-year-old Ortiz is off to one of his best starts, first with 29 doubles, second in the AL with 57 RBIs, and third with a .344 average. He is an MVP candidate as well, and is hoping to lead the Red Sox to a World Series Championship in his final season. The nine-time All-Star hasn't played in the All-Star Game since 2013, and another start would only solidify his Hall-of-Fame resume.
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