MLB All-Star Game: American League lineup predictions

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Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) reacts after hitting a single in the 12th inning against the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Starter: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals.

For the fourth constitutive year, Perez will be heading to the All-Star Game and has a great chance to deservedly make his third straight start behind Kansas City’s passionate fan base.

After the top few players, the quality of the catcher position across the league drops off rapidly. Most of the established superstars at the position are in the NL, with the likes of Buster Posey and Yadier Molina representing the Senior Circuit.

While Perez may not quite be on that level, he’s been the AL’s best catcher over the past two years. After combining for 6.8 WAR in 2013 and 2014 per FanGraphs.com, Perez’s bat fell off a bit last year, but he was still a very valuable piece on a World Series winning team due to his outstanding defense. Perez redeemed himself for the slightly underwhelming regular season with a 131 wRC+ in the playoffs, good enough to earn him the World Series MVP Award.

That has continued early in 2016, and Perez should be near the top of the AL leaderboard in WAR at the break if he stays healthy. With deserving numbers and plenty of fan support, Perez will garner the most votes among AL catchers.

Reserves: Brian McCann, New York Yankees. Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics.

After being roughly average in his first season in New York, McCann’s bat has come alive in 2016, and he looks poised to post the best offensive numbers at the position in the league. Vogt is off to a 140 wRC+ start per FanGraphs to follow up on his torrid first half from last season.

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