The 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game rosters were announced Saturday night, and there are a handful of studs who will stand out on the big stage.
With the stakes high as the winner gets home-field advantage in the 2013 World Series, these world-class players will be giving it their all during the July 16 event despite all of the fanfare and entertainment.
There's no shortage of stars in each starting lineup, with some of the game's best names on the list. However, some up-and-coming guys are sprinkled in.
Let's take a look at the players who will shine in Queens, N.Y. at Shea Stadium for the exciting 2013 All-Star Game.
MLB All-Star Game Roster
American League
| Pos. | Name | Team |
| *C | Joe Mauer | Twins |
| *1B | Chris Davis | Orioles |
| *2B | Robinson Cano | Yankees |
| *SS | J.J. Hardy | Orioles |
| *3B | Miguel Cabrera | Tigers |
| *OF | Mike Trout | Angels |
| *OF | Adam Jones | Orioles |
| *OF | Jose Bautista | Blue Jays |
| *DH | David Ortiz | Red Sox |
| ^P | Clay Buchholz | Red Sox |
| P | Brett Cecil | Blue Jays |
| P | Bartolo Colon | A's |
| ^P | Jesse Crain | White Sox |
| P | Yu Darvish | Rangers |
| P | Felix Hernandez | Mariners |
| P | Hisashi Iwakuma | Mariners |
| P | Justin Masterson | Indians |
| P | Joe Nathan | Rangers |
| P | Glen Perkins | Twins |
| P | Mariano Rivera | Yankees |
| P | Chris Sale | White Sox |
| P | Max Scherzer | Tigers |
| P | Justin Verlander | Tigers |
| C | Jason Castro | Astros |
| C | Salvador Perez | Royals |
| 1B | Prince Fielder | Tigers |
| 2B | Jason Kipnis | Indians |
| 2B | Dustin Pedroia | Red Sox |
| 2B | Ben Zobrist | Rays |
| SS | Jhonny Peralta | Tigers |
| 3B | Manny Machado | Orioles |
| OF | Nelson Cruz | Rangers |
| OF | Alex Gordon | Royals |
| OF | Torii Hunter | Tigers |
| DH | Edwin Encarnacion | Blue Jays |
National League
| Pos. | Name | Team |
| *C | Yadier Molina | Cardinals |
| *1B | Joey Votto | Reds |
| *2B | Brandon Phillips | Reds |
| *SS | Troy Tulowitzki | Rockies |
| *3B | David Wright | Mets |
| *OF | Carlos Beltran | Cardinals |
| *OF | Carlos Gonzalez | Rockies |
| *OF | Bryce Harper | Nationals |
| P | Madison Bumgarner | Giants |
| P | Aroldis Chapman | Reds |
| P | Patrick Corbin | D-Backs |
| P | Jose Fernandez | Marlins |
| P | Jason Grilli | Pirates |
| P | Matt Harvey | Mets |
| P | Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers |
| P | Craig Kimbrel | Braves |
| P | Cliff Lee | Phillies |
| P | Jeff Locke | Pirates |
| P | Adam Wainwright | Cardinals |
| P | Travis Wood | Cubs |
| P | Jordan Zimmermann | Nationals |
| C | Buster Posey | Giants |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt | D-Backs |
| 1B | Allen Craig | Cardinals |
| 2B | Matt Carpenter | Cardinals |
| 2B | Marco Scutaro | Giants |
| SS | Everth Cabrera | Padres |
| SS | Jean Segura | Brewers |
| 3B | Pedro Alvarez | Pirates |
| OF | Domonic Brown | Phillies |
| OF | Michael Cuddyer | Rockies |
| OF | Carlos Gomez | Brewers |
| OF | Andrew McCutchen | Pirates |
* = Starter
^ = Injured, will not play
Rosters courtesy of MLB.com
Players Who Will Dominate All-Star Game
David Ortiz, American League
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz deserves his name to be in the conversation of best designated hitters of all time, and that was solidified after garnering an All-Star starter selection as a 37-year-old.
After slumping in recent seasons with his Sox, Ortiz has been a major cog in their resurgence during this 2013 season. Without him, Boston wouldn't be five-and-a-half games up on the Yankees for the top spot in the AL East (something almost nobody could've predicted three months ago).
A now-nine-time All-Star, Ortiz has had his fair share of experiences with the big-time event and is ready for the moment. In a game that has often relied on offensive firepower, pitching has taken center stage as of late—and it takes an experienced bat like Ortiz's to put out a hot pitcher.
The New York crowd may not be huge fans of the Boston slugger, but with the fourth-best batting average and third-best slugging percentage in the AL, that won't matter.
With so many first-time All-Stars in the mix (29 of them, to be exact), experience and seasoning is key. Ortiz has plenty of that.
Mike Trout, American League
The 21-year-old Los Angeles Angels phenom didn't get off to a high-flying start in 2013, but he turned that around very quickly and has turned this year into another jaw-dropping one.
As if last year's AL Rookie of the Year could improve at all following an inaugural campaign for the ages, Trout seems dead set on having another great season. He's batting .314 on the season, with 13 homers and a whopping 55 RBI to go along with it.
His batting average has slightly dipped but is still very good, and meanwhile, he's projected to hit the century mark in runs batted in. So, he's doing more with less hits.
The fact that a player in his first two seasons in the majors is likely going to surpass 180 hits in each season is absolutely baffling. And now that he's been selected for his first All-Star starting lineup selection, you can bet he's even more ready to seize the moment.
The Angels haven't had a season to remember thus far, but Trout has. And he'll continue to assume superstar status in baseball by having a big performance against MLB's best players.
Carlos Gonzalez, National League
The only reason that CarGo won't have a big game on July 16 is if his body simply shuts down from the gaudy production he's put up through the first half of 2013.
Carlos Gonzalez has his fingerprints all over the National League statistic leaderboards, leading the NL in homers (23), slugging percentage (.605) and tied for the runs lead (65). The 27-year-old has been a huge driving force for the Colorado Rockies' resurgence, and they'll need more of the same throughout the latter half of the season as they sit 3.5 games back of Arizona in the NL West.
The two-time NL Gold Glove winner knows he can help out the cause both offensively and defensively, and that could prove to have an added impact. Although World Series advantages are on the line, it's still primarily an exhibition where extra effort seems to stick out. That's definitely the case in the field.
If Gonzalez can continue his all-around effectiveness, big hitting numbers and huge-play potential, he's a lock to have a solid All-Star Game.
David Wright, National League
Every All-Star Game has its hometown hero, and David Wright will assume that role in 2013 (along with Matt Harvey).
The New York Mets' only starter in the spectacle, Wright is sure to be a fan favorite—and he won't let down a packed house in Shea Stadium.
Wright hasn't topped the stat sheets like so many of his counterparts and his numbers won't overwhelm you, but he has efficiency and leadership written all over him. That's exactly what the Mets need.
Also, that's a big boost in an All-Star Game if you have a player the fans love with leadership potential on your side.
The 30-year-old is also entering his seventh Midsummer Classic, which further proves that he's experienced enough for the moment and will be able to have a positive impact on incoming All-Stars who will need guidance and some tips.
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