Like the American League, the National League had some roster spots to fill. Three National League starters were ruled out of the game along with four bench players as Placido Polanco, Jose Reyes, Ryan Braun, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Chipper Jones and Shane Victorino will all miss the game.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Outfield - Shane Victorino - Philadelphia Phillies - 2nd Selection - Voted In by Fans
The Flyin' Hawaiian was voted into the game by the fans, but he's going to have to miss the game do to being sidelined on the 15 day DL with a thumb injury. Victorino is hitting over .300 for the first time in his career, is one triple away from a third straight season on double digit 3-baggers and also has 53 runs scored, 9 home runs and 13 stolen bases. Victorino has also played flawless defense in centerfield over 66 starts.
Starting Pitcher - Kevin Correia - Pittsburgh Pirates - 1st Selection
Correia has been huge for the Pirates this year and is a big reason the Pirates are over .500 at the all star break. Correia has a team-best 11 wins at the break, one short of his career high, and has a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts. His best game of the year was a complete game 4-hitter against the Reds back in April that Pittsburgh won 9-3.
Closer - Craig Kimbrel - Atlanta Braves - 1st Selection
The 23 year old flamethrower from Huntsville, Alabama has absolutely filthy stuff. Think a right-handed Billy Wagner. Just 5'11", Kimbrel absolutely has overpowered hitters just coming up late last season. He already has 110 strikeouts in his career in just 66 2/3 innings. this year in 46 innings he's allowed just 30 hits and fanned 70 while saving 28 of a possible 33 games. He has a 2.35 ERA and opposing hitters are batting just .183 against him. I'm honestly shocked that his bullpen-mate Jonny Venters made the team over him originally. Needles to say, Kimbrel deserves to be here.
Outfield - Andre Ethier - Los Angeles Dodgers - 2nd Selection
Ethier made headlines earlier this season when he hit in 30 straight games. The 29 year old outfielder is having one of his most complete seasons for L.A. Although his power numbers are down for him (just 9 home runs in 328 at bats), he needs just 60 hits to set a new career high (he has 102 right now). Ethier is hitting .311 (would also be a career high), has scored 45 runs and driven in 44. Paired with Matt Kemp in the outfield, the two pose quite a tandem.
Catcher - Miguel Montero - Arizona Diamondbacks - 1st Selection
The 28 year old Venezuelan is having a career year batting .272 with 10 home runs and 45 runs batted in at the break. He's also got 22 doubles and stole the second base of his 6 year career. Defensively Montero has thrown out 32.4% of would-be base stealers, a career high, and his pitching staff has a 3.96 ERA when throwing to him, a career low.
Outfield - Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates - 1st Selection
The 24 year old McCutchen might be the most exciting player to wear a Pirates uniform since the days of Barry Bonds. McCutchen needs 2 home runs to set a career high in this his 3rd season (he has 14), is on pace to score 100 runs for the first time in his career (54), is 2 rbis shy of a career high (he has 54), he's stolen 15 bases and is batting a career best .291.
Third Base - Scott Rolen - Cincinnati Reds - 7th Selection
Scott Rolen is in his 16th Major League season and 3rd with the Cincinnati Reds. The 36 year old just picked up the 2000th hit of his Major League career and is an All Star for the second straight season. Rolen is hitting just .241 this year with 5 home runs and 36 runs batted in, but he's still getting the job done on the hot corner for the Reds with just 3 errors in 57 starts.
Third Base - Pablo Sandoval - San Francisco Giants - 1st Selection
The Kung Fu Panda is an All Star for the first time. After a subpar 2010 where he hit just .268, Sandoval is back up over .300 batting .303 with 8 home runs and 29 runs batted in in just 50 games. Sandoval has been heating up lately .333 in July with 11 of his 29 runs batted in.
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