The story throughout the voting process for this year's American League All-Star team centered on the Kansas City Royals fans' ballot-stuffing.At one point, eight Royalsled the voting at their positions. While there were some corrections made by the end of the voting, there is still a distinct Kansas City flavor to the lineup, with four Royals starters, per MLB.com's Doug Miller.Still, the AL lineup has a lot of talent. Here's a look at all the starters, courtesy ofBaseball Tonight:Your American League All-Star starting lineup! pic.twitter.com/XgwEazd9Ix Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) July 5, 2015Id go with Bogaerts or Iglesias over Escobar and Martin or Vogt over Perez, but #Royals are defending AL champs - and KC fans have spoken. Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 5, 2015Many critics may have a problem with Salvador Perez of the Royals winning the starting catcher position, but he is the best defensive catcher in the American League. Stephen Vogt of the Oakland Athletics is enjoying a stellar year at the plate, but when it comes to all-around play, it's hard to argue with Perez.Perez has a .263/.271/.721 slash line this year along with 13 homers and 34 RBI. Vogt has better offensive numbers, and he is a likely addition when the reserves are announced Monday. Vogt has an excellent .294/.385/.895 slash line, and he has belted 13 homers and 53 RBI.It's no surprise that fans voted Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers in as the American League starter at first base, but it's clear that Cabrera won't be able to play this year since he is on the disabled list with a calf injury. Don't be surprised if Albert Pujols is the starter in Cabrera's place at first base. Pujols has an .886 slugging percentage, and he is also leading the American League with 24 home runs.Jose Altuve, the diminutive spark plug of the Houston Astros, overcame some of the early Kansas City voting and will start at second base. Altuve led the American League in hits last year, and he has a .301/.344/.763 slash line along with seven homers, 35 RBI and 24 stolen bases.As impressive as Altuve has been, Jason Kipnis of the Cleveland Indians has been sensational. He has a .341/.419/.925 slash line, and he also has six homers and 35 RBI. Everything that comes off Kipnis' bat is hit hard.Indians manager Terry Francona, on second baseman Jason Kipnis: "If Kip's not an All-Star, there's not one." Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 5, 2015Shortstop is not the strongest position in the American League this season. At one point, the AL would throw out Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra, but those days are done. Alcides Escobar of the Royals won the honor this year, and he is having a solid year with a .276/.314/.670 slash line.However, Jose Iglesias of the Tigers and Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox would appear to have been more deserving choices. Iglesias is a brilliant fielder who is hitting .323 with 75 hits, while Bogaerts has a .302/.339/.752 slash line.The American League voters appeared to get it right by electing Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays as the starting third baseman. Donaldson is a legitimate MVP candidate at the midway point in the season. He has pounded 19 home runs and knocked in 56 runs, and his slash line is .296/.352/.879. Every time Donaldson comes up in a clutch situation, he is a threat to break the game open.#BlueJays Josh Donaldson sets all-star vote record http://t.co/eAjwDHzxi1 From @Globe_Sports pic.twitter.com/x4y640KRWD The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) July 6, 2015Mike Trout is a convincing starter in the outfield for the third time in his career and has been named to the All-Star Game for the fourth time.You won't hear higher praise from .@Kurkjian_ESPN! Congrats, @MikeTrout. pic.twitter.com/DNm2vpWRlV Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) July 5, 2015Trout is a marvelous player for the Angels who can win a game with his power, speed or defense, and it's almost expected that he will put up monster numbers every year. In addition to his .300/.393/.972 slash line, Trout has 21 homers and 44 RBI.The selection of Lorenzo Cain of the Royals can be criticized, but he is the kind of player who can help win the game for the American League. He has the speed to chase down nearly any fly ball in the outfield, but he is more than a defensive specialist. He has a .305/.364/.826 slash line, and he also has 84 hits and 16 stolen bases.Your AL starting OF for the 2015 #ASG: the @Royals' Lorenzo Cain! Cain is making his first start. pic.twitter.com/uTjGeK3srN FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 5, 2015Alex Gordon is another first-rate defensive player who has excellent athletic ability. Gordon has decent numbers, including a .262 batting average along with 10 homers and 33 RBI, but he is probably not All-Star Game worthy.J.D. Martinez of the Tigers and Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays may have been better choices. Martinez has become a power machine, with 23 home runs and 56 RBI to go along with a .285/.340/.903 slash line. Bautista is once again bashing long balls all over American League stadiums. Joey Bats has 17 home runs, 56 RBI and a .917 OPS.Your AL starting OF for the 2015 #ASG: the @Royals' Lorenzo Cain! Cain is making his first start. pic.twitter.com/uTjGeK3srN FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 5, 2015Seattle Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz will be the starting designated hitter, and it was not an easy battle to overcome Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and Prince Fielder of the Texas Rangers. Cruz is having yet another solid offensive year with a .304/.364/.919 slash line, and he also has 21 homers and 50 RBI.Rodriguez is one of the biggest surprises of the year after missing all of the 2014 season due to hisperformance-enhancing-drug suspension. His .902 slugging percentage is eye-catching, and he also has 16 home runs and 47 RBI. Prince Fielder has been a force this season, with a .346/.413/.936 slash line to go with his 12 homers and 49 RBI.Just VINTAGE @RealPFielder28. http://t.co/Zbhj8XdnD2 #CRUSHED pic.twitter.com/cVzS1qMqzC MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2015The American League pitching staff and reserves will be announced Monday.
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