Here's a quick rundown of the NL Reserves for the 2011 All Star Game. The NL will have 12 players on their bench with 3 of them, Jay Bruce, Starlin Castro and Gaby Sanchez all appearing in their first all star game and 5 more, Hunter Pence, Brandon Phillips, Troy Tulowitzki, Joey Votto and Justin Upton all appearing in their second. The Reds lead the way with 3 representatives on the NL bench.
BENCH:
Outfield - Jay Bruce - Cincinnati Reds - 1st Selection
The 24 year old left-handed slugger hasn't hit for a very high average (.258) in this his 4th major league season, but he's really come into his own as a run producer with 18 home runs and 51 runs batted in so far this year. His previous career highs of 25 homers and 70 rbis set last year are both well within reach and he's already stolen a career high 6 bases.
Outfield - Carlos Beltran - New York Mets - 6th Selection
The 34 year old Beltran is healthy once again after playing just 81 games in 2009 and only 64 in 2010. In 2011 he's batting .283 with 13 homers and 57 runs batted in. He's no longer the base stealing threat he once was with just 3 steals on the year, but he's back on track for his first 100 rbi season since 2008. Beltran needs just 7 home runs to reach 300 for his career.
Shortstop - Starlin Castro - Chicago Cubs - 1st Selection
One of the few bright spots for the Cubs this season, the 21 year old Castro has continued to build on a solid rookie campaign. Castro is currently batting .307 with 21 doubles, 8 triples and 10 stolen bases. He doesn't draw a lot of walks (just 16 on the year), but he's still young and the Cubs are hopeful that he'll develop some more discipline at the plate as he matures. Defensively he's also improved from last year posting a .960 fielding percentage over 84 starts.
Outfield - Matt Holliday - St. Louis Cardinals - 5th Selection
Holliday's power numbers are down from a year ago, but he's struggled with injuries a bit this year playing just 62 games so far this season. He's made the most of his playing time though batting .320, his highest average since leaving the Rockies, with 12 home runs and 44 runs batted in. He's also posting a career best .418 on base percentage.
Third Base - Chipper Jones - Atlanta Braves - 7th Selection
The 39 year old Jones is the elder statesman on the National League bench as he prepares for his 7th all star game. In his 18th season in a Braves uniform, Jones, like Jeter in the American League, has since his production start to fall off a bit as he's managed to only hit .256. Still, he's hit 22 doubles this season and driven in 44 runs and more importantly, he's been able to stay on the field for the most part playing in 74 games. Jones, who has 2561 hits for his career needs just 7 home runs to reach 450.
Catcher - Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals - 3rd Selection
The youngest of the flying Molina brothers, Yadier is known primarily for his defense. Still, he's managed to improve at the plate over his career and right now he's hitting .284 with 17 doubles and 31 runs batted in. He's had a bit of an off year for him behind the plate throwing out just 11 of 38 base stealers (28.9%), only the second time in his career he's thrown out less than 40%.
Outfield - Hunter Pence - Houston Astros - 2nd Selection
The lone Astro to make the team this year, the 28 year old Pence is in the midst of his best major league season. Currently hitting .327 with 10 home runs and 57 runs batted in, he's been one of the few bright spots for the team with the worst record in the major leagues.
Second Base - Brandon Phillips - Cincinnati Reds - 2nd Selection
The 30 year old Phillips isn't having a 30/30 type season like he did in 2007, but he's still been effective. Phillips has hit .292 with 20 doubles and 8 home runs and scored 53 times already this seasons while driving in 45. In 155 games with the Reds last season, he managed to only drive in 59 runs.
First Base - Gaby Sanchez - Florida Marlins - 1st Selection
With Hanley Ramirez mired in a year long slump, Sanchez will be the only Marlin at the All Star game this year. The 27 year old slugger turned in a solid season as a rookie last year and has been even better this year batting .292 with 13 home runs and 47 runs batted in. More important after striking out 101 times compared to just 57 walks in 2010, he's down to just 57 strike outs against 40 walks in 2011.
Shortstop - Troy Tulowitzki - Colorado Rockies - 2nd Selection
The 26 year old in his 6th season with the Rockies has been great on both sides of the ball and if not for Jose Reyes breakout performance would likely be the NL's starting shortstop. Tulowitzki is hitting .271 with 17 home runs and 57 runs batted in. He is currently on pace for his first 100 rbi season. He's eclipsed 90 rbis 3 times already in his young career.
First Base - Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds - 2nd Selection
The reigning NL MVP from Toronto probably won't match the 37 home runs and 113 RBIs that he had last year, but he's once again hammering the baseball all over the field batting .315 with 18 doubles, 12 home runs and 52 runs batted in. It's a testament to how deep first base is in the National League, and how good Votto is that he's here, and that guys like Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard couldn't crack the roster.
Outfield - Justin Upton - Arizona Diamondbacks - 2nd Selection
B.J.'s 23 year old brother is starting to put things together offensively. Already in his 5th major league season, Upton is hitting .299 with 14 home runs and 44 runs batted in to go along with 52 runs scored, 22 doubles and 14 steals. More importantly, he's cutting down on the strike outs after fanning 152 times in 495 at bats a year ago.
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