I always try to pick the players having the best year, regardless of team, market or popularity. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority, as there are some players who seem to get elected regardless of the type of years they have. Case in point, Manny Ramirez--no way does he deserve to be any part of the All-Star game this year and yet he was among the leaders in the NL outfield for awhile (but thankfully, not any more). So here are my unbiased-as-possible picks.

1B Mark Teixeira/Albert Pujols
It's tight race between Tex and Kevin Youkilis for first base in the AL but Tex has 8 more homers so I give him the nod. Ryan Howard and Adrian Gonzalez are having respectable years in the NL but King Albert continues to play at a different level, above everyone else.

2B Ian Kinsler/Chase Utley
The way Robby Cano started the season, I thought he might be the favorite at the position but he's gone back into being hot/cold. As a fantasy owner, Kinsler can drive me crazy some weeks by only getting about 6 hits a week but 2 or 3 of those will be homers, which explains why he has 18 homers and 14 SBs. Aaron Hill (.304/15/48) of Toronto should merit some consideration as Toronto's representative. In the NL, it's all about the Keystone State. Philly's Chase Utley (.303/16/49) and Pittsburgh's Freddy Sanchez (.314/6/29) are at the head of the pack. Cincy's Brandon Phillips (.279/11/48/10) could also merit some consideration as a reserve.

SS Jason Bartlett/Hanley Ramirez
This is what I was talking about the most deserving player not getting the spot. Bartlett is clearly having far and away the best season of any AL shortstop (.372/7/32/14) but he trails Derek Jeter (.301/9/30/15) by over a million votes. As much as I love the Captain, Jeter's having a good enough season to merit being Bartlett's understudy but we're talking of .071 difference in batting average here. In the Senior Circuit, only one of the Big 3 shortstops in the NL East is having a strong season. With Jimmy Rollins hitting only .214 for the season and Jose Reyes on the extended DL, the way is clear for Hanley Ramirez (.329/10/40/9) to take the spot. Honorable mention to the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki (.260/10/27/9) and the Astros' Miguel Tejada (.337/6/39/2).

3B Evan Longoria/David Wright
Wright's power has mysteriously disappeared this season (only 4 homers) but he's still hitting a healthy .349, with 18 steals. The Dodgers' Casey Blake (.300/10/44) and the Giants' Pablo Sandoval (.336/8/33/2) could make the team as back-ups, especially since they can both play multiple positions. A-Rod's extended stay on the DL for a hip injury and lackluster hitting since then leaves the spot open for division rival Longoria (.304/16/61/2). Texas' Michael Young (.312/10/27) is next in line.

C Joe Mauer/Brian McCann
This position really is a tale of two leagues. In the AL, it couldn't be more obvious. Joe Mauer (.395/14/42) has been hitting like a man possessed since coming off the DL. Cleveland's Victor Martinez (.326/12/53) and the Royals' Miguel Olivo (.253/10/28 and hey, they need a representative, too) will play caddy since there's no way a catcher will ever catch all 9 innings of the All-Star Game ever again. In the NL, no one is having a truly dominating season. Russ Martin and Geovany Soto, previous Mid-Summer Classic's starters, are having miserable years with the bat. It comes down to San Fran's Bengie Molina's power (.259/10/40) and Atlanta's McCann high average (.328/7/30). Edge McCann.

OF: Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki, Carl Crawford/Raul Ibanez, Ryan Braun, Justin Upton

Outfielders are always one of the hardest positions to pick simply because of the sheer volume of candidates. As much as it pains me as a Yankee fan to put a Red Sox on the ballot, Bay (.286/19/69/5) has earned it this year. He has slightly better numbers than my no. 4 pick, the Rangers' Nelson Cruz (.268/18/45/11), though either is a fine pick. Ichiro (.358/5/17/12) and Crawford (.308/6/32/37) continue to play at the top of their games, just as they have for years. In the NL, it's a crime if Ibanez (.312/22/59) escapes any fan's ballot and Braun (.316/15/50/6) has become one of the league's most feared right-handed hitters. Upton (.329/10/29/8) seems to be the victim of being on a bad team in a market with limited exposure. He's having a solid season but he's ranked 15th in votes among outfielders. My fourth pick, Hunter Pence (.329/10/29/8) of the Astros, suffers from the same problem, as he isn't even listed on the vote leaders.

Sorry for the length of the post but there are my picks. What do you guys think? Who makes your ballots?