baseball's All-Scrub Stars

Closing in on the All-Star Game, everyone knows about Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Chris Davis, Buster Posey, and Joey Votto. But there have been plenty of surprises by guys you've never heard of or never expected it from that have busted through and could snag their first Midsummer Classic selection.

Here are All-Star lineups from guys that either weren't on the map a year ago or have been quiet for much of their careers but are now making a splash: the All-Scrub Stars.

National League

Catcher: Evan Gattis, Braves. Gattis took an opportunity provided by Brian McCann's injury to break into the scene and earn NL Rookie of the Month for both April and May and leads NL catchers with 14 home runs, many in clutch situations. Not bad for a guy that left a college baseball scholarship for drug rehab and then worked as a parking valet and at a pizza parlor.

First base: Freddie Freeman, Braves. Freeman missed 13 games with an injury but is still on pace for 100 RBI (third among NL first basemen) and is hitting .304.


Second base: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals. A big and surprising reason the Cardinals have the league's best record, Carpenter leads NL second basemen with 56 runs scored, 21 doubles, and .403 on-base percentage.

Third base: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates. Pedro is really heating up, hitting .305 in June with 9 homers and 22 RBI, helping the Pirates stay among the best and most surprising teams in baseball. Overall, he has a significant lead among NL third basemen with 19 homers and 51 RBI.

Shortstop: Jean Segura, Brewers. The 23 year-old Brewers rookie is probably the best player nobody has heard of. Segura is one hit away from being the first in the NL to get 100 (batting .336), is second in steals, and has 11 home runs.

Center field: Carlos Gomez, Brewers. Like Segura, he's doing it all: .313 average, 12 homers, 15 steals, 85 hits, 18 doubles, and plays Gold Glove calibur center field. It may surprise you that Gomez is the league-leader in wins above replacement (WAR).

Right field: Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks. The leadoff man in Arizona has been a major contributor for the first place D-Backs. He's now hitting .315 with 94 hits and 49 extra bases. He should be smarter on the basepaths though; he leads the league by getting caught stealing nine times.

Left field: Domonic Brown, Phillies. Finally getting regular time as a starter, Brown has displayed legitimate power. After a terrible beginning to the season where he got booed at home, from April 23 to June 8 (six weeks) Brown hit 17 home runs and raised his average from .206 to .293.

Pitcher: Jeff Locke, Pirates. Locke, who leads the NL in ERA (2.01), has not lost since his first start on April 7. He has given up 27 less hits than innings pitched.

American League

Catcher:  Jason Castro, Astros. People in Houston haven't even heard of this guy. But the backstop fore the Astros leads all AL catchers in extra bases (10 homers, 22 doubles, 2 stolen bases).

First base: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays. He's hardly a scrub, but EE is following up his breakout in 2012 with another monster season (21 homers, 63 RBI). It's also extraordinary to note that this slugger has struck out just 39 times in 75 games.

Second base: Howie Kendrick, Angels. On a team with Trout, Pujols, Hamilton and Trumbo, it's Kendrick that leads the team with a .323 batting average (fifth in the AL) and is tied with Trout for the team lead with 94 hits.

Third base: Josh Donaldson, Athletics. In a loaded group of AL third basemen (Cabrera, Longoria, and Beltre) everyone knows about the 20 year-old phenom New Manny in Baltimore, but not so much the man at the hot corner in Oakland. Donaldson is leading the way for the A's with .305/.373/.488 (AVG/OBP/SLG), 10 home runs and 46 RBI.

Shortstop: Jed Lowrie, Athletics. Lowrie spent his first four seasons on the bench in Boston, then was shuttled to Houston before being traded to Oakland last winter. Now at age 29 he is a big reason the A's are battling the Rangers for the division, batting .304 with 21 doubles.

Center field: Brett Gardner, Yankees. The most consistent Yankee in 2013, the speedy Gardner has taken over the leadoff spot in Jeter's absence, hitting for average (.287) and even showing some power (6 home runs). He also plays outstanding defense.

Right field: Daniel Nava, Red Sox. A career fourth or fifth outfielder, Nava earned his place as a regular starter for the Red Sox and has stayed a remarkably consistent producer in the middle of the first place Red Sox lineup. He has 10 homers, 45 RBI, 42 runs, and an on-base percentage of .372 as a switch hitter.

Left field: Nate McLouth, Orioles. After being an All-Star five years ago McLouth has been largely forgettable until now. He is producing once again as the leadoff man for the strong Baltimore club, getting on base (.366) and getting himself into scoring position (24 stolen bases). McLouth walks a lot and doesn't strike out.

Pitcher: Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners. Seattle has two stud pitchers, including the breakout Iwakuma. The Japanese pitcher leads the AL with a .238 opponents' on-base percentage and is second in ERA at 2.26.