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MLB All-Star Game: American League lineup predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

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
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 /
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Jul 12, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates at home plate after hitting a 2-run home run during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates at home plate after hitting a 2-run home run during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base

Starter: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros.

Altuve has a great chance to run away with the fan vote at second base for the second consecutive season, as he’s off to a monster start for an Astros team with World Series expectations.

The 5-6 Altuve helped accelerate Houston’s rebuild and endeared himself to fans nationally by coming out of nowhere to post 4.8 WAR in 2014 per FanGraphs. While Altuve’s bat fell of slightly last year, he was still a four-win player because of improvements on the defensive side, and passed Kansas City’s Omar Infante in the fan voting late to earn his third straight All-Star appearance.

Speed is a huge part of Altuve’s game, and he’s stolen at least 33 bases in each of the last four seasons, including 56 in 2014. Throw in elite contact skills, an Altuve is a well above-average offensive player even with limited home run power.

Altuve has a 196 wRC+ in the early going, which is only going to boost his numbers when fan voting opens. That number will come down – Altuve isn’t going to hit five home runs for every 63 plate appearances – but it would be a pretty big shock if he lost the vote at second base.

Reserves: Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers.

With a .345/.362/.582 line so far, Kinsler is en route to another great season, and his performance should earn him his fifth All-Star nod.

Next: Shortstop

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