NL April All-Stars

Gonzalez leads a crowded field at first base (Huffington Post)

All stats through May 1 unless otherwise noted. Scroll down to see my AL team.

C Derek Norris
Gave a lot of thought to A.J. Pierzynski, who's currently hitting above .400, but went with Norris because he's played almost twice as many games and has still been really good. With just two walks to his named this year, Norris hasn't shown any of the patience that helped him to a .361 OBP last season, but he's made up for that by cracking 10 doubles and batting .329.

1B Adrian Gonzalez
As great as Paul Goldschmidt's been, Gonzalez has been a little better. His eight homers and 65 total bases lead the National League, while his .765 slugging, 1.189 OPS, and 228 OPS+ are tops in the majors. Simply put, those are videogame numbers. Sincere apologies to Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo as well.

2B Dee Gordon
The Marlins' new second baseman and leadoff man is playing out of his mind right now, with a major league-leading 41 hits and .423 batting average. Incredible, none of those hits have cleared the fences and only six have gone for extra bases, so Gordon's currently pulling the rare trick of batting above .400 but slugging below .500. He does have nine steals, but those have been counterbalanced by his six caught-stealing attempts.

3B Matt Carpenter
Carpenter continues to excel in his role as the catalyst of the Cardinals offense, batting an obscene .378/.446/.656 with 21 runs scored and an ML-leading 14 doubles. His sizzling start his him on track for a similar season to the MVP-caliber one he enjoyed two years ago.

SS Troy Tulowitzki
Hasn't been able to replicate his ferocious start from a year ago but still had a great April, hitting .308/.321/.526 with 11 doubles. Tulo has only two home runs so far, but the power will come so long as he's healthy.

OF Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton's picked up right where he left off last year, slashing .282/.378/.588 with six bombs and a league-leading 22 RBI.

OF Bryce Harper
Harper's light-tower power has already produced five home runs, but it's his new and improved batting eye that's drawn attention. His .433 OBP has been fueled by 23 walks--most in the bigs. He's also stayed healthy, appearing in all two dozen of Washington's games. If he can stay off the disabled list, this could be the year he finally breaks out and becomes the superstar he was pre-ordained to be.

OF Matt Kemp
Petco hasn't put a dent in Kemp's numbers, as the 30 year-old is batting a healthy .330/.359/.474 with 10 extra base hits, 14 RBI, and four steals in four attempts. Only one home run so far, but I wouldn't worry given that he's topped 20 in five of the past six seasons.

Harvey has regained his form since returning from TJ surgery (CBS New York)

SP Matt Harvey
Harvey has returned from Tommy John surgery just as dominant as he was before the procedure, going 5-0 with a 2.41 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. His 8.5 K/BB ratio is unreal.

SP Johnny Cueto
Last year's NL Cy Young runner-up and free agent-to-be is setting himself up for a giant payday. The Reds ace is leading the majors in innings and WHIP with more than a strikeout per inning, not to mention a 1.95 ERA.

SP Gerrit Cole
Cole appears to have taken the leap to acehood based on his 1.76 ERA and 10.3 K/9 mark through his first five starts.

SP Zack Greinke
Greinke's become something of an afterthought while sharing the same rotation with Clayton Kershaw, but he's having a fabulous season in his own right with a 1.93 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.

SP Max Scherzer
1-3 record aside, my preseason NL Cy Young pick is making me look good with his league-leading 1.26 ERA and 1.93 FIP.

RP Tony Watson
In line to become the Pirates closer if and when Mark Melancon stumbles, Watson's been lights-out with a 2.51 ERA and 0.77 WHIP out of Pittsburgh's 'pen.

CL Aroldis Chapman
Cincinnati's flamethrowing closer has yet to allow an earned run in 11 appearances and currently sports a 16 K/9 rate. Need I say more?

AL April All-Stars

Vogt may not be an All-Star come July, but right now he is (Bay Area Sports Guy)

Even though the All-Star Game is still more than two months away, voting for this year's midsummer classic is already underway. I'm holding off until the last possible second to determine who's truly worthy of All-Star recognition, but if I had to pick my American League All-Star team right now these are the players I'd choose. All stats are through May 1 unless otherwise noted.

C Stephen Vogt
Another A's late-bloomer, Vogt's been the best-hitting backstop in baseball to date with his impressive .348/.432/.594 slash line and 16 RBI. He's already almost halfway to last year's home run and RBI totals, and will keep getting plenty of chances to add to those totals now that he's no longer splitting time with Derek Norris. Also considered Salvador Perez.

1B Miguel Cabrera
Cabrera's cooled a bit since his monster first week, but he still  concluded April with a .373/.465/.627 batting line to go along with five home runs and 17 RBI. Those are the kind of numbers we're used to seeing from the two-time MVP.

2B Devon Travis
Really close call between him and Jose Altuve, though I was ultimately swayed by Travis's superior power totals and slash line. The 24 year-old rookie has been a revelation at the keystone for Toronto, batting .325/.393/.625 with six home runs and 19 RBI--both tops at the position. He started the season batting ninth but has quickly been moved up to the top of the order, where he figures to stay with Jose Reyes sidelined by a cracked rib.

3B Josh Donaldson
Donaldson's continued to post MVP-type numbers north of the border, hitting .330/.390/.585 with six taters and an AL-leading 20 runs entering play today, all while providing his typically excellent defense at the hot corner.
SS

OF Hanley Ramirez
Hanley's gotten off to a huge start with the Red Sox, clubbing 10 home runs and driving in 22 runs while slashing .293/.341/.659 for the month of April. Only Nelson Cruz has more long balls and ribbies than HanRam, who's currently on pace for close to 80 and 170. Hanley has a better chance of keeping his helmet on.

OF Mike Trout
Trout's continued doing all the things that make him the best player in baseball, namely hit the tar out of the ball (.325/.439/.588) while making an impact on the bases (6-for-6 in stolen base attempts) and in center field. He's also leading the league in runs scored--something he did in each of the past three years as well.

OF Adam Jones
Jones was out of his mind in April, batting .400/.440/.707 with five homers, 19 RBI, and 17 runs scored. The current AL batting leader is walking more and striking out less than last year, which is always a good sign. I could nitpick by mentioning that he's still searching for his first stolen base and hasn't homered in two weeks, but otherwise his offensive production has been near-flawless.

DH Nelson Cruz
If you thought Safeco was going to harm Cruz's power numbers, think again. All he's done is hit more home runs, piled up more total bases, and drive in more runs than anyone else in baseball. He's also leading the American League with his .747 slugging, 1.125 OPS, and 215 OPS+. Last year's major league home run king still has a firm grasp on his throne for now.

Hernandez has remained has dominant as ever (Fox Sports)

SP Felix Hernandez
Hernandez is still the king with a perfect 4-0 record, 1.82 ERA, and 36 strikeouts against only six walks. Think maybe he's got something to prove after losing last year's Cy Young race to Corey Kluber?

SP Chris Archer
Archer appears to have taken the next step after a pair of solid seasons, elevating himself to ace status in the early going. In addition to leading the league in strikeouts with 37, he also holds a 0.84 ERA and has not allowed an earned run since his first start of the season.

SP Dallas Keuchel
Not only has the southpaw proved last year's breakout was no fluke, but he's also been arguably the best pitcher in baseball this year. He currently leads the majors in WHIP, H/9, HR/9, and innings pitched. He's not allowed a home run yet and has surrendered just three earned runs in 37 innings of work. Regression is coming, as he's not this good, but the talent level he displayed last year appears legit.

SP Scott Kazmir
The born-again lefty is off to a sensational start with a 1.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and over a strikeout per inning.

SP Sonny Gray
Gray has built off last season's success with a 1.98 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Although his strikeout rate has tumbled to 6.2 K/9, he's compensated by cutting his walks rate in half.

RP Dellin Betances
The Yankees setup man has done a terrific job in the early going, not allowing an earned run despite leading the loop in appearances. He's already racked up 21 strikeouts in 13 and 1/3 innings to complement his 1.05 WHIP and 1.82 FIP. He's been a bit wild, walking eight batters and uncorking a pair of wild pitches, but those are minor blemishes on an otherwise spotless track record.

CL Andrew Miller
There was some uncertainty over who would be the Yankees closer this year, but it appears Joe Girardi made the right call by going with Miller/slotting Betances to eighth inning duties. The towering reliever has converted all nine of his save opportunities (most in the AL) and has yet to allow an earned run yet this year. He's also been blowing hitters away with 21 strikeouts in 12 and 1/3 innings, notching at least one K in all of his appearances. Carrying a 0.57 WHIP into today's action, he's been untouchable.

Boston's Bats Bouncing Back?

Boston's bats haven't done much in the early going (YawkeyWayReport)

April's almost over and the slow-starting Red Sox are only half a game out of last place in the AL East. It goes without saying that the defending champions have disappointed thus far, primarily because their seemingly stout offense has slumped. It's why they've scored 15 fewer runs than they've allowed despite sporting the fifth-lowest ERA in the American League.

After averaging an MLB-best 5.27 runs per game last year, Boston's barely averaged four runs per game (4.04, to be exact). They've been held to three runs or less nine times already, which accounts for more than one-third of their games. Power has been scarce, as David Ortiz and Mike Napoli are the only players with more than two home runs. On a related note, the Sox have the fifth-lowest OPS in the league thanks to their ugly .241/.329/.379 batting line. 

Boston's been even worse in scoring opportunities, batting just .235/.321/.353 with men on base. With runners in scoring position, those numbers sink to .218/.307/.338. The Red Sox haven’t done themselves any favors by bouncing into 28 double plays--most in baseball. They simply aren't getting timely hits when they need them.

Boston's bats haven't been a total failure--they do rank second in the AL in doubles, fourth in walks, and sixth in home runs and total bases, after all. But as long as the lineup keeps hitting like Mario Mendoza with men on base, it won't be able to match the run-scoring machine that churned out 853 runs last year and paced the sport in a host of other offensive categories. 

To be fair, though, the Red Sox haven't been at full strength. After losing Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Stephen Drew over the winter, Boston began the season without Shane Victorino, who strained his right hamstring in spring training and opened the year on the Disabled List. Slugging third baseman Will Middlebrooks missed three weeks with a calf strain. Dustin Pedroia hurt his wrist in a play at second base, which probably explains why he hasn't hit a home run yet.

As a result, the Red Sox didn't play a game with their intended starting nine until April 25th. Now fully healthy, Boston took two of three from Toronto over the weekend, battering Blue Jays' pitching for 16 runs and 27 hits. With their cold spell hopefully behind them, the Sox look to gain momentum from their eight game homestand starting tomorrow night against the last-place Tampa Bay Rays. Depleted by injuries, Tampa's thin rotation should help Boston's bats get back on track.

          

April All-Stars

I find it ridiculous how MLB opens up its All-Star voting in late April, when some teams are getting snowed out. I understand the league is trying to capitalize while interest in the sport is still high from the Opening Day hangover effect (baseball! spring! grass!), but it's still far too early to make judgments about who should get to attend the Midsummer Classic. The stats are still out of whack.

With only four weeks of baseball in the books, a lot of numbers look fluky because they haven't had time to normalize. But those figures are all we have, dammit, so of course you're going to pick John Buck for the All-Star team. Go ahead, by all means, but beware that a few months down the road, such choices look awfully foolish. That's how we end up with guys like Bryan LaHair making the All-Star team.

That said, here's what the All-Star team would probably look like based on April stats, and nothing else:

C John Buck
It's easy to forget Buck was an All-Star back in 2010, his lone season with the Toronto Blue Jays, when he set a career high with 20 big flies. That power has re-emerged in the early-going--he already has nine home runs and a National League-best 27 RBI.

1B Chris Davis
His long-anticipated breakthrough was for real, folks.

2B Daniel Murphy
The always-solid second baseman is batting .295 with 11 extra base hits and 19 runs scored. With his table setting skills, Murphy's a big reason why the Mets currently rank third in the NL in runs scored.

3B Josh Donaldson
In his age 27 season, Donaldson has come out of nowhere to provide elite production at the hot corner for the Oakland A's. Thanks to his improved batting eye, he's batting .314/.397/.495 with 11 doubles. He's also been coming through with men on base: Miguel Cabrera is the only AL third baseman with more RBI.

SS Jed Lowrie
Lowrie has built upon his breakout with the Astros last year. He's making a great impression with his new team--the Oakland A's--thanks to a .327/.412/.519 batting line and 11 doubles.

OF Coco Crisp
Crisp is a player who generates most of his value with his legs, but so far it's been his surprising power burst that's been making waves. With five long balls, he's almost halfway to last year's homer total (11). The Oakland A's can only hope his DL-stint doesn't derail that early momentum.

OF Nate McLouth
MVClouth (too soon?) has been a force batting at the top of Baltimore's lineup, batting .329 with a .433 OBP and 22 runs scored.

OF Daniel Nava
The miracle worker has keyed Boston's fast start with his heavy hitting.

OF Vernon Wells
Wells has rediscovered the form that convinced the Toronto Blue Jays to hand him a seven-year, $126 million contract. While he's still not worth that kind of money, he is providing steady power batting in the heart of New York's depleted lineup.

OF Starling Marte
With Pittsburgh's purported big bats (Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez) slumping, Marte has picked up the slack with a blistering start. Betcha didn't know he's currently pacing the Senior Circuit in hits.

DH Travis Hafner
Like Wells, Pronk has enjoyed a renaissance in pinstripes. Healthy and hitting for power, Hafner has managed .304/.429/.638 triple slash numbers that line up with the averages from his peak seasons.

SP Ervin Santana
When Santan's bad, he's bad (see last year). But when he's good, like this year or the year before last, he can be quite good.

SP Carlos Villanueva
Back in the NL after a two-year hiatus with the Blue Jays, Villanueva looked great in his first month with the Chicago Cubbies. Forget his 1-1 record and focus on the good stuff, like his 2.29 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 3.22 K/BB ratio.

SP Clay Buchholz
Buchholz was unquestionably the best starting pitcher in baseball last month and appears to be making a run at the Cy Young award.

SP Matt Moore
Moore enjoyed a solid rookie season last year, but a lack of command (4.1 BB/9) prevented him from achieving consistent dominance. Walks have been an issue for him in the early going, but incredible good fortune (.151 BABiP) has helped him go 5-0 with a 1.13 ERA. Unless he starts finding the strike zone more often, he's going to be in trouble when the hits start falling in.

SP Hisashi Iwakuma
The 32 year-old Japanese hurler has continued to baffle major league hitters in his sophomore campaign. His 0.69 WHIP is the best in baseball and his 7.4 K/BB ratio is off the charts. Unfortunately the Mariners are incapable of providing run support, which means his W-L record won't reflect how well he's truly pitched.

CL Jim Henderson
The 30 year-old sophomore has emerged as a top flight closer in the wake of John Axford's atrocious opening week. Henderson's elite ability to miss bats (career 12.7 K/9) suggests that he's a perfect fit for ninth inning duties.

CL Jason Grilli
After Joel Hanrahan hightailed it up to Boston, Grilli stepped in as the Pirates' closer and has been immaculate. His 11 saves lead the big leagues, he's allowed just one earned run in 12 innings of work and he's striking out 4.5 batters for every one he walks.

CL Addison Reed
Reed was an unmitigated disaster after taking over the closer's role last May, posting a 5.80 ERA after May 15th. The White Sox stuck with him though, and so far the early returns have been excellent. The 24 year-old has gone a perfect 9-for-9 in save chances, boasts a 1.50 ERA and is striking out more than a batter per inning.

Some of these players probably won't be relevant in a few months, but several others will have formed legitimate All-Star cases. I'll weigh my options then, when I have a half-season worth of data to pour over. But for now, I'll hold off on voting. If Josh Donaldson makes the All-Star team over Adrian Beltre, I don't want to be responsible for it.