My National League Starting Lineup

This is my National League Starting Lineup, complete with backups. Let me know if you disagree with any of the selections in the comment section.

Catcher: Brian McCann
Brian McCann is having a tremendous season. He's batting .311 with a .907 OPS. His wOBA is .387, which beats out any other National League catchers by a long-shot. Sure, his defense isn't very good, but he is easily the starter just because of his offensive production.

Backup: Miguel Montero

First Base: Joey Votto
This position is tricky, considering there is also the Designated Hitter. I give it to Joey Votto, despite having a slightly less productive year than Prince Fielder, because of his defense.

Backup: Gaby Sanchez

Second Base: Chase Utley
Despite playing less games than the competition, Chase Utley is still the starter for me. He is a perennial starter at the position and he leads NL second basemen in wOBA and OBP.

Backup: Rickie Weeks

Third Base: Chase Headley
The talent pool is very small here. Chase Headley, despite being poor on defense, dominates the NL third basemen in OBP, sitting at .398. No one else is close. Placido Polanco looked to be the front runner in first few months of the season, but has slumped badly of late.

Backup: Aramis Ramirez

Shortstop: Jose Reyes
Reyes is having a ridiculous year. He leads shortstops in wOBA, SLG, OBP, AVG, wRC+, and SB. He is the runaway starter for me, and I don't think it is debatable.

Backup: Troy Tulowitzki

Outfielders: Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun, Shane Victorino

Matt Kemp is clearly a starter, leading outfielders in almost every statistic from the center field position.

Ryan Braun has had a terrific year and also deserves to be starting.

My controversial pick is Shane Victorino, who has quietly had a remarkable year. He is the best defensive CF in the NL, but has also contributed from the plate this year as well. He's been the best position player on the best team in baseball this year, with a respectable .515 SLG and .393 wOBA.

Backups: Lance Berkman, Andrew McCutcheon, and Justin Upton

Designated Hitter: Prince Fielder


He would have been the starting first basemen, but considering he is below average defensively, he fits in better at the DH spot.

Backup: Michael Morse