Hey… if Major League Baseball can have an All-Star selection show, why can’t I?  With it being close to the mid-point of the season, many owners are beginning to look back at what has gone right and wrong with their team.  While attempting to figure out what my team needs are, I started looking at how the draft played out, and players that are making an impact even though they went undrafted.  All I could think about is how crazy of a year this has been.

The list of Fantasy Baseball All-Stars that I am presenting is a collection of players that have made a huge impact to anyone who owns them.  Some might be first round draft picks, and some might be players that were undrafted.   Hopefully you have more players on this list then not.  To start things off… we will start in the National League:

National League

C - Pablo Sandoval - Sure I could have selected McCann, but what fun would that be?  Beside we are talking about Fantasy Baseball value, and Sandoval has it at the catcher position in most leagues.  A .333 batting average with 12 home runs is invaluable from the catcher slot.  But more importantly, the consistent playing time and 279 at bats has helped numerous owners fill their games played quota.
1B - Albert Pujols - This is an obvious choice.  Sure he was taken within the first three picks of the draft, but how can you not select someone that is in contention to win the triple crown.  Being on pace for a 60/20 season will grab anyone’s attention.

2B - Chase Utley - There were many questions going into the season regarding Chase.  In most drafts he slipped out of the first round due to the hip surgery.  However, he has posted a .300 batting average with 17 home runs, and is on pace to score over 100 times, and collect over 100 RBIs as well.

SS - Hanley Ramirez - Once again, this is a top three selection that panned out as it should.  Since the other two National League shortstops plummeted during the season, Hanley’s value is increased even more.  I think the power numbers will increase during the second half, and make him even more valuable.

3B - Mark Reynolds - In Reynolds we have the first “wow… where did that come from” performance. I knew he had the power, but where did the additional 13 stolen bases come from?  Don’t expect the .270 batting average to last.  Most players with a 36.7% strikeout rate and .345 BABIP don’t hit over .250.  The key here is value, as Reynolds was selected after the 15th round.

OF - Raul Ibanez - This guy carried many teams during the first two months.  The recent injury has slowed him, but after most owners selected him in the 10th round, they are willing to be patient.  Again, this is a value selection as much as a production one.

OF - Ryan Braun - Here is another first round selection that has performed as he should.  Like Utley, he is on pace to eclipse the 100/100 mark and provides a batting average above .320. The power should also increase during the second half of the season.

OF - Cody Ross - I could have gone with several players here, but I am going with Ross.  Why?  Ross is on pace for around 30 homeruns with a .280 batting average.  You may not be impressed with that number, but he was undrafted, and still on many waiver wires well into May.

UTIL -  Justin Upton - This kid has certainly put together a solid season to this point, and is on pace for a 40/20 season.  After being selected during the middle rounds, Upton has returned decent value to all of his owners.

SP -  Yovani Gallardo - I have been touting Gallardo since day one.  He has certainly taken the next step towards being a consistent fantasy ace.  The 114 strikeouts in 104.2 innings is a huge addition, especially from someone that could have been drafted in the 10th round in some leagues.

SP -  Josh Johnson - Once again here is another mid draft pitcher that has provided elite production.  As long as he stay healthy, the Marlins have a true ace.  In fact, Johnson reminds me of A.J. Burnett when he was with them.  Dominate stuff with some injury concerns.

RP - Heath Bell - After watching him get selected in the 15th round of a draft, I thought that he was a solid bargin.  23 saves later, I was wishing that I had pulled the trigger on him.  Once again, this proves that closers on bad teams are just as valuable as the early round selections.

RP - Rafael Soriano - Talk about value… Soriano went undrafted in many leagues.  Even though he is not the official closer, Soriano has still amassed 8 saves.  However, the 50 strikeouts in only 38.2 innings is what grabs me attention.  There is nothing more valuable with a non closer putting up those numbers, and still getting a few saves along the way.

So there is the National League.  I will be back tomorrow with the American League.