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MLB All-Star Game: National League lineup predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) heads out on his two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) heads out on his two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) takes off his batting gloves after striking out in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) takes off his batting gloves after striking out in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

First Base

Starter: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks.

There’s no shortage of talent at first base in the NL, but the ever steady Goldschmidt will hold off some tough competition for his third straight All-Star start at first base.

Never considered much of a top prospect, Goldschmidt has blossomed into a perennial MVP candidate since 2013 after two good-not-great seasons to start his career. Over those three years, Goldschmidt has hit no worse than .300 with a OBP hovering around the .400 mark and 88 home runs combined.

The best of those seasons was last year, as Goldschmidt piled up 7.4 WAR and a 164 wRC+ per FanGraphs with 21 stolen bases thrown in for good measure. If it weren’t for the untouchable Bryce Harper, Goldschmidt would have been the clear MVP choice, but he’s still on the national radar as a superstar.

That will help him overcome some challengers in the first base vote who are part of teams with bigger fanbases. Goldschmidt has been in a bit of a slump over the past week to hurt his overall numbers to start the year, but it be a shock if he wasn’t in the 150 wRC+ range by the break.

Reserves: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs. Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rizzo has posted numbers just shy of Goldschmidt’s level over the past two years, and should have some massive counting stats in 2016 in a terrific Cubs lineup. Gonzalez is poised for his best season in years with a 139 wRC+ start to the season per FanGraphs.

Next: Second Base

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