Well, since we are in our first season exploring the MLB side of fantasy sports, it is a quiet year. I thought it would be a very fitting way to break the silence, given the time of year, to doll out some mid-season honors and award those players that have been stellar fantasy producers (according to our formula for standard 5x5 category leagues).

Stipulations: 30-man rosters (real ASG has more); at least 9 pitchers (3 of which must be relievers); no more than 9 outfielders; every team is represented; team’s record does not matter. Player’s overall rating will be in brackets, followed by ranking at his position.

Without further ado, here are the 1st annual, RFK Fantasy All Star selections:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Catchers
VICTOR MARTINEZ, CLE (38th, 2nd)
.324avg, 16hr, 68rbi, 44r, 0sb
Martinez has been the Indians’ best hitter all season – yes, even though Hafner and Sizemore are on the team. He should challenge for the top fantasy catcher for the entire season.
JORGE POSADA, NYY (109th, 3rd)
.326avg, 9hr, 48rbi, 46r, 1sb
Lost in the shadow of Rodriguez’s enormous first half was the steady plate production of Posada. He appears to get more disciplined and consistent with age.

1st Basemen
JUSTIN MORNEAU, MIN (17th, 2nd)
.295avg, 24hr, 74rbi, 57r, 0sb
Though he isn’t likely to repeat as MVP this year, he his still one of the best hitters in the game and within reach of the top fantasy player at his position. Now he even has competition for MVC (Most Valuable Canadian).
DAVID ORTIZ, BOS (54th, 4th)
.314avg, 14hr, 52rbi, 55r, 1sb
And to think, this is a slow start as far as Big Papi’s power numbers are concerned. His average is up, though, and yes I know he is a DH, but he qualifies at 1B for Yahoo!

2nd Basemen
BRIAN ROBERTS, BAL (18th, 3rd)
.322avg, 5hr, 27rbi, 56r, 27sb
He is one of the lone bright spots in another ugly year for the Orioles. Roberts isn’t a name you are used to seeing in the stolen base leaders amongst Ichiro and Crawford, but get used to it for this year at least.
IAN KINSLER, TEX (91st, 5th)
.241avg, 14hr, 35rbi, 50r, 11sb
Kinsler was as hot as anyone out of the gate, and his average has taken a big dive since. Polanco will probably eclipse him by the end of the year as the second base 2-bagger in the AL. Also a benefactor of the “every team gets represented” rule.

3rd Basemen
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, NYY (1st, 1st)
.317avg, 30hr, 86rbi, 79r, 9sb
ARod is on pace for this 3rd MVP title in the real big leagues, and tops the leaderboard here at Rotofreak as well.. He gave us record-worthy production in April and has been steadily on fire since.
MARK TEAHEN, KC (154th, 13th)
.282avg, 5hr, 43rbi, 43r, 8sb
Teahan hasn’t put up the type of power numbers everyone expected through the first half, and surely there are better candidates here than him. However the pickings are slim in Kansas City, and we had to pick someone, and he has decent numbers in runs and steals for a 3B (or an OF that still qualifies at 3B this year…).

Shortstops
CARLOS GUILLEN, DET (22nd, 4th)
.325avg, 14hr, 67rbi, 51r, 7sb
Guillen is set to best his career year last year, on pace to easily surpass 2006’s home run and RBI output. He has passed Jeter as the best offensive shortstop in the AL and don’t see any reason that should change the rest of the way.
ORLANDO CABRERA, LAA (40th, 5th)
.328avg, 5hr, 51rbi, 55r, 10sb
Cabrera is having a phenomenal year at the plate so far, batting 55 points higher than his career average and driving in a tonne of runs in the power-challenged Angels lineup.
DEREK JETER, NYY (53rd, 7th)
.336avg, 5hr, 44rbi, 57r, 7sb
Its easy to see that Jeter is not going to match last year’s incredible offensive numbers (14hr, 97rbi, 34sb), but he is still hitting for a high average and counting a lot of runs in what should be the most potent lineup in baseball (except right now the Tigers are it).

Outfielders
GARY SHEFFIELD, DET (4th, 1st)
.303, 21hr, 58rbi, 78r, 12sb
Here, ladies and gentlemen, you have the most glaring omission from the real All-Star Game. Sheff has been on a tear since May rolled around and is showing no signs of slowing down in his advanced baseball age. It helps hitting in the heart of the best offence in baseball.
GRADY SIZEMORE, CLE (5th, 2nd)
.280, 15hr, 46rbi, 73r, 24sb
There isn’t a facet of the game that Sizemore does not excel at. Though for a leadoff man, ideally you would like a higher batting average. But then I just feel like I’m being picky.
ICHIRO SUZUKI, SEA (6th, 3rd)
.359avg, 5hr, 39rbi, 61r, 23sb
Ho-hum, just another Ichiro type season. You can’t even throw the “contract year” argument out there, because this guy has been this good ever since he walked into a major league field.
TORII HUNTER, MIN (8th, 4th)
.301avg, 19hr, 69rbi, 55r, 11sb
I heard in a broadcast that Hunter picked up some batting tips from Joe Mauer – they appear to be working rather well as he is on pace for a career offensive season.
MAGGLIO ORDONEZ, DET (10th, 5th)
.367avg, 13hr, 70rbi, 70r, 2sb
The cleanup hitter in baseball’s top offence and one of the front-runners in the early MVP race, Ordonez is leading the league in batting average and amount of hair. And yes, the AL has the top 5 fantasy outfielders.
ALEX RIOS, TOR (20th, 9th)
.294avg, 17hr, 53rbi, 62r, 9sb
Toronto’s lone representative in the Midsummer Classic, and their only one here as well. Rios continues to develop power and hit for a better average, and maybe soon he will develop more of a running game.
CARL CRAWFORD, TB (26th, 13th)
.285avg, 6hr, 51rbi, 48r, 23sb
A season or two ago there were whispers that Crawford may turn into a 30 home run threat, but I just don’t see it. He is a fantastic leadoff man with wheels that never quit.
VLADIMIR GUERRERO, LAA (33rd, 17th)
.325avg, 14hr, 75rbi, 46r, 1sb
Back in the day, Vlady used to steal a lot, but age and injuries are catching up to him a bit. He can still mash the ball though (despite being below his normal HR pace) as seen in the Home Run Derby.
CURTIS GRANDERSON, DET (44th, 14th)
.283avg, 12hr, 43rbi, 62r, 9sb
Granderson is developing into a potential All-Star in the bigs, and his all around game is ideal in fantasyland. He gets things started in Detroit, and the rest follow.

Pitchers
C.C. SABATHIA, CLE (25th, 1st)
12w, 113k, 0sv, 3.58era, 1.17whip in 133ip
Yes, it is Sabathia, not Santana, that was our top fantasy pitcher in the first half. Unlike previous years he has stayed injury-free and manages to keep his team in virtually every game he takes the mound. Imagine if his ERA was lower!
JOHAN SANTANA, MIN (27th, 2nd)
10w, 125k, 0sv, 2.75era, 1.03whip in 121ip
The fact that Sabathia was able to pitch more innings helped his cause to barely edge out Santana after the formula was calculated. But to think this is a down year so far for Johan.
ERIK BEDARD, BAL (34th, 4th)
7w, 149k, 0sv, 3.42era, 1.13whip in 121ip
If he was on a better team, he could easily have 10 wins and a sub-3.00 ERA. Instead, he will have to settle for leading the league in strikeouts at the break.
DAN HAREN, OAK (36th, 6th)
10w, 101k, 0sv, 2.30era, 1.00whip in 129ip
Haren had the privilege of starting the All-Star Game this year, thanks in large part to leading the league in ERA.
DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, BOS (37th, 7th)
10w, 123k, 0sv, 3.85era, 1.24whip in 119ip
Dice-K has adjusted as well, or better, than expected to the MLB hitters. His off-speed pitches are flat out nasty.
JOHN LACKEY, LAA (39th, 8th)
11w, 98k, 0sv, 2.92era, 1.16whip in 120ip
The Angels’ workhorse continues to carry the load, pitching just as effectively as always. His name is never placed with the elite, but he is always up there with his stats.
JOSH BECKETT, BOS (47th, 9th)
12w, 92k, 0sv, 3.44era, 1.14whip in 102ip
It’s becoming a rarity when he loses, and his ERA and WHIP numbers are far below expected. He has quickly surpassed Schilling as the ace of the rotation in Beantown.
FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ, LAA (48th, 10th)
2w, 53k, 24sv, 2.36era, 1.20whip in 38ip
K-Rod has lived up to his billing with insane K/9 IP numbers. Could be the most dominant closer in baseball and is just a pup.
J.J. PUTZ, SEA (47th, 13th)
1w, 44k, 24s, 0.88era, 0.59whip in 41ip
People were speculating Putz was a one-year-wonder after last season; oh how wrong they were. He should be illegal with those ERA and WHIP numbers.
JUSTIN VERLANDER, DET (50th, 15th)
10w, 97k, 0sv, 3.14era, 1.15whip in 109ip
There were mumbled concerns about a tired arm after an enormous workload as a rookie last season; a no-hitter with triple-digit fastballs in the 9th later, and all that talk is out the window.
BOBBY JENKS, CHW (78th, 28th)
2w, 33k, 23sv, 3.32era, 1.16whip in 35ip
Oh how the mighty have fallen; no, not Jenks, his White Sox. 23 saves? Must have saved every win they have had this season, has he?

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Catchers
RUSSELL MARTIN, LAD (19th, 1st)
.306avg, 11hr, 60rbi, 51r, 16sb
Raise your hands if you thought Martin would be better than Martinez and Mauer. Liars. When have we seen a catcher on pace for 30 stolen bases? Martin is challenging Morneau for MVC this season.
BRIAN McCANN, ATL (272nd, 6th)
.262avg, 9hr, 49rbi, 26r, 0sb
McCann had lofty expectations placed upon him entering this season; sadly he has left them all unfulfilled so far. When it came down to him or Estrada as the second NL catcher, we went with the guy who should be here when it’s all said and done.

1st Basemen
PRINCE FIELDER, MIL (9th, 1st)
.284avg, 29hr, 70rbi, 62r, 0sb
Raise your hands if you thought Albert Pujols would be here. Exactly, everyone. But it is Prince leading the NL in home runs through the first half, and has the most dingers in the majors since May 1st.
ALBERT PUJOLS, STL (52nd, 3rd)
.310avg, 16hr, 52rbi, 50r, 1sb
Fifty-second?!?!?! I feel your pain. Don’t expect Albert to stay in his homer-less slump too long; something tells me a couple of those bombs from the Derby will help him in the second half.

2nd Basemen
CHASE UTLEY, PHI (11th, 1st)
.325avg, 15hr, 68rbi, 64r, 6sb
Second base is the weakest fantasy position by far, and Utley doesn’t appear to have much competition for the top spot at this position for the foreseeable future.
BRANDON PHILLIPS, CIN (15th, 2nd)
.278avg, 17hr, 47rbi, 60r, 16sb
Phillips was a mid to late round pick in any draft this year, so everyone will be surprised to see him this high. He has been phenomenal for me in a few leagues this year, but I don’t expect him to keep on this home run pace.

3rd Basemen
DAVID WRIGHT, NYM (13th, 2nd)
.292avg, 16hr, 51rbi, 49r, 18sb
Safe to say not many expected this high of stolen base totals from Wright, and it has catapulted his fantasy value. He has stiff competition for the next dozen years to hold onto this spot.
MIGUEL CABRERA, FLA (31st, 3rd)
.324avg, 18hr, 61rbi, 52r, 0sb
Cabrera is definitely a superior hitter to Wright, in both power and average. Both youngsters have very high ceilings, but Cabrera lacks the speed to steal bases.
RYAN ZIMMERMAN, WSH (128th, 12th)
.253avg, 14hr, 45rbi, 48r, 3sb
A very poor start to the season cost Zimmerman a spot in the real All-Star Game, but the only fantasy stat teammate Dmitri Young leads him in, is batting average.

Shortstops
JOSE REYES, NYM (2nd, 1st)
.307avg, 4hr, 35rbi, 61r, 41sb
Reyes is a lock to lead the league in steals this year. He continues to become a better hitter and is the driving force atop the Mets’ powerful lineup. Its possible he could challenge for the single season stolen base mark.
HANLEY RAMIREZ, FLA (3rd, 2nd)
.331avg, 14hr, 35rbi, 70r, 27sb
If it weren’t for Reyes’ insurmountable lead in stolen bases, Hanley would be the top shortstop to date. This will be quite a battle for years to come in the National League.
JIMMY ROLLINS, PHI (7th, 3rd)
.286avg, 16hr, 53rbi, 71r, 15sb
Is he a power hitter or is he a leadoff man? Sometimes it’s hard to tell with Rollins. But there is no denying that shortstop is as deep as it’s ever been in fantasyland.

Outfielders
ERIC BYRNES, ARI (12th, 6th)
.306avg, 14hr, 49rbi, 53r, 17sb
Many were questioning whether Byrnes would be able to duplicate last year’s great fantasy season – but he is on pace to better it. The question now should be: should we expect this when prepping for next year’s drafts too?
MATT HOLLIDAY, COL (14th, 7th)
.341avg, 15hr, 69rbi, 56r, 4sb
Holliday is owner of one of the smoothest right-handed hitting strokes in the league. And don’t give me that “Coors effect” argument, because he is doing it on the road too.
SHANE VICTORINO, PHI (16th, 8th)
.277avg, 11hr, 37rbi, 55r, 26sb
Shane was a sleeper pick by many to start the year; he is a full out fantasy stud now. The power was unexpected, the steals weren’t. But know that he has only been caught twice!
ADAM DUNN, CIN (21st, 10th)
.258avg, 24hr, 58rbi, 55r, 8sb
Anything more than 5 categories and Dunn can hurt your team; but here he contributes very nicely in 4 out of 5 categories, making him a plus player.
ALFONSO SORIANO, CHC (23rd, 11th)
.309avg, 15hr, 33rbi, 60r, 13sb
He got off to a very slow start but has been solid since. The batting average is a pleasant surprise, but you shouldn’t be surprised he isn’t trying for another 40/40 season.
CARLOS LEE, HOU (24th, 12th)
.297avg, 16hr, 73rbi, 48r, 6sb
With Berkman struggling so greatly this year, someone had to drive in the runners, and Lee is doing a fine job with his new club in that regard. I know most were hoping for a bit higher steals from him though.
KEN GRIFFEY, JR., CIN (28th, 14th)
.286avg, 23hr, 59rbi, 49r, 3sb
Not many fans are happier than me with the start Griffey has had. But I don’t think you can blame me for cringing anytime he runs, slides, swings, dives….
CARLOS BELTRAN, NYM (29th, 15th)
.264avg, 16hr, 55rbi, 49r, 13sb
Beltran is certainly far off his torrid MVP-like pace from last season, but his ability to steal bases whenever he wants (only 2 times caught) keeps him among the fantasy stars.
BARRY BONDS, SF (77th, 25th)
.295avg, 17hr, 42rbi, 46r, 5sb
Barry is the only thing Giants fans can cheer for this year, because the rest of their team is awful (both in fantasyland and real play),

Pitchers
JAKE PEAVY, SD (32nd, 3rd)
9w, 125k, 0sv, 2.19era, 1.06whip in 119ip
Peavy started the All-Star game and rightfully so; he could potentially win the National League pitching triple crown this year (wins, strikeouts, ERA).
COLE HAMELS, PHI (35th, 5th)
10w, 124k, 0sv, 3.73era, 1.22whip in 118ip
Hamels told ESPN’s Buster Olney in preseason that he expected a 20-win season from himself. Well, he is on pace to do just that, as well as get picked in the first 3 rounds for the rest of his career.
FRANCISCO CORDERO, MIL (45th, 9th)
0w, 49k, 27sv, 2.89era, 1.08whip in 34ip
Cordero is enjoying closing in the national league, as indicated by his phenomenal strikeout rate. He should pick up a couple of wins by year end as well, but that’s not why you drafted him.
AARON HARANG, CIN (46th, 10th)
9w, 112k, 0sv, 3.68era, 1.19whip in 127ip
Harang is a workhouse, proving the doubters wrong who didn’t think he could match last year’s banner year. Too bad he is the Reds’ only good pitcher.
CARLOS ZAMBRANO, CHC (48th, 12th)
10w, 107k, 0sv, 4.03era, 1.30whip in 125ip
Nice wins and strikeouts on a bad team, but his ERA and WHIP are higher than they should be for a staff ace. Maybe he is preoccupied with not having a contract next year.
JOHN MAINE, NYM (51st, 14th)
10w, 93k, 0sv, 2.72era, 1.14whip in 109ip
I took a bit of flack for projecting Maine at 145th in my preseason rankings – doesn’t look so silly now does it?
TAKASHI SAITO, LAD (56th, 16th)
1w, 47k, 23sv, 1.49era, 0.72whip in 36ip
Saito had a lot of doubters entering this season, thinking he too was a one-year wonder and too old to sustain last season’s output. Well, you were wrong.
TREVOR HOFFMAN, SD (64th, 25th)
2w, 20k, 25sv, 1.91era, 0.76whip in 33ip
Hoffman doesn’t give you the strikeouts that other relievers do, but he excels in every other category.
IAN SNELL, PIT (96th, 34th)
7w, 93k, 0sv, 2.94era, 1.18whip in 116ip
It was tough to choose between Snell and Tom Gorzelanny for the lone Pirate’s representative, as they came out in a dead heat with our formula. But Snell gets the nod thanks to the better ERA and WHIP.

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Nick Obergan is a column writer for RotoFreak.com. He publishes 'The Dirty Dozen' bi-weekly. If you'd like to comment on the article, please chime in on the boards.