A look at one American League All-Star team ballot

The American League All-Star team will be announced Sunday. Here's a ballot where the starters' common thread is bounceback seasons:

First base: Prince Fielder, Texas
At 31, Fielder, who leads the majors in multi-hit games, is contending for the AL batting title after a neck injury limited him to 42 games and three home runs last season. This year, he hit his 300th home run, joining his dad, Cecil, in that group. The only other father-son combo to have 300 home runs each is Bobby and Barry Bonds.

Backup: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit

Second base: Jason Kipnis, Cleveland
Kipnis, 28, the guy with a unique batting stance, hit .240 last season. He's been consistent all season, and his May production was ridiculous: 1.217 OPS, .511 on-base percentage with 51 hits and 30 runs.

Backup: Jose Altuve, Houston

Third base: Manny Machado, Baltimore
After two seasons cut short by knee injuries, Machado, 22, should be heading to his second All-Star Game. He's playing Gold Glove defense and hitting home runs, and is a reason the Orioles have surged in June.

Backup: Josh Donaldson, Toronto

Shortstop: Jose Iglesias, Detroit
After missing 2014 with stress fractures in both legs, Iglesias, 25, is the only AL shortstop hitting better than .300. He plays incredible defense with several highlight-reel plays each week.

Backup: Xander Bogaerts, Boston

Catcher: Stephen Vogt, Oakland
A couple of years ago, Vogt was so frustrated with his career, he was going to retire. His wife talked him out of it. Now at 30, he's the team leader for the Athletics and hitting better than .300 with dependable power.

Backup: Salvador Perez, Kansas City

jones-gray-bubble-home-run-trot-sidebar.jpgDesignated hitter: Alex Rodriguez, New York
The controversial A-Rod, 39, who missed all of last season because of a PED suspension, might have the biggest comeback of all. He's weathered tons of criticism, showed a great attitude and consistent power.

Backup: Kendrys Morales, Kansas City

Outfield: Adam Jones, Baltimore; Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels; J.D. Martinez, Detroit
Jones blistered April at .400, dropped to .239 in May and rebounded in June. Jones and Trout are the two best center fielders in the AL. If the season ended today, Jones would get AL MVP votes.

Trout does everything. He hits home runs, robs opponents of home runs and gets on base 40 percent of the time.

After struggling in Houston, Martinez has blossomed with the Tigers. He's on pace for 30-plus home runs and .290 average.

Backup: Torii Hunter, Minnesota, Yeonis Cespedes, Detroit, Josh Reddick, Oakland

Starting pitcher: Dallas Keuchel, Houston
Tough call between Keuchel and Sonny Gray of Oakland, but Keuchel is a lefty who leads the AL with a 2.03 ERA. And, in his last start against Kansas City Tuesday night, AL manager Ned Yost of the Royals got a first-hand look at Keuchel's changeup. Keuchel pitched eight shutout innings against the Royals, getting 15 groundball outs and seven strikeouts. Keuchel has 10 victories.

Backup: Gray




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