My First MLB All-Star Ballot

Major League Baseball allows fans an opportunity to vote players on to their respective teams for the All-Star Game. The fans' influence on the MLB All-Star Game has a significance that has more of an impact than any other professional sport involving player selection.

Voting was opened to the fans today (Wednesday, April 29), and here's a look at who makes my first ballot for the 2015 All-Star Game: (stats used are current as of Wednesday evening)

Catcher

NL: A.J. Pierzynski, Atlanta Braves

Pierzynski is 38 years old, but he's playing like he's still in his mid-20's. Pierzysnki is hitting .432 with four homers. The veteran slugger has driven in 14 runs, which is more than his 2014 campaign with St. Louis where he was signed after the All-Star Break to add depth in lieu of Yadier Molina's injury.

AL: Stephen Vogt, Oakland A's

Vogt has hit for a .355 average this season, including four home runs and 14 RBI's. His unique look along with a powerful bat make him an easy pick on my first ballot.

First Base

NL: Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Gonzalez has been on fire through the early part of this season, hitting for a .377 average with seven bombs. Currently, Gonzalez is averaging a home run per 11 at-bats.

AL: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

It's been business as usual for Cabrera so far this season, as he's been his usual self at the plate. So far this young season, Cabrera has hit for a .370 average with five home runs and 17 RBI's. One has to think that Cabrera will likely be in the AL MVP discussion yet again this season.

Second Base

NL: Dee Gordon, Miami Marlins

Gordon has been a phenomenal lead-off man for the Marlins this season, hitting for a dominant .409 average. Gordon is always a threat on the base-paths, and with that high average, he's already stolen eight bases this season.

AL: Devon Travis, Toronto Blue Jays

Travis has been a great surprise for the Blue Jays, already homering six times this season and hitting for a .342 average. He's added another good bat to an extremely powerful Blue Jays' lineup and makes my ballot as of today.

Third Base

NL: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

Carpenter leads the Majors with 12 doubles already this season. In addition to his .370 average, his 17 runs scored make him an easy selection for my first ballot.

AL: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

Another Blue Jay making my ballot. Donaldson has had a fantastic bat this season, hitting for a .333 average with five homers and 16 RBI's.

Shortstop

NL: Adeiny Hechavarria, Miami Marlins

"Who?" You might be asking yourself, but Hechavarria has shown a lot of improvement in his young playing career this season. He's hit for a .325 average with 16 RBI's and runs scored, giving the Marlins a much needed boost at the plate.

AL: Jose Iglesias, Detroit Tigers

Iglesias has hit for an astounding .379 average, and he's driven catchers crazy this season, stealing five bases and only being caught once.

Left Field

NL: Corey Dickerson, Colorado Rockies

Dickerson has been solid at the plate this season, hitting for a .333 average with five bombs and 15 RBI's. He's also scored 13 runs during his good start to the 2015 season.

AL: Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

Gardner has had nice production for the Yankees so far this season, putting together a .311 average and scoring 15 runs. To put the cherry on top, Gardner has also stolen six bases.

Center Field

NL: Will Myers, San Diego Padres

Myers has had a good year at the plate with a .286 average along with four home runs and 15 runs driven-in. Where Myers has been exceptional this season is his scoring efficiency. Currently, Myers leads the Major Leagues with 21 runs scored.

AL: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

Jones is the least-talked about major star in Major League Baseball in my opinion. He's hit for a .400 average this season with five home runs and 19 RBI's. In addition to his production at the plate, Jones has also scored 17 runs this season.

Right Field

NL: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

Harper's hit for a .278 average with five homers and 12 RBI's. He leads the Majors with 21 walks, and even with the Nationals' slow start, has scored 17 runs.

AL: Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners

Some analysts criticized Cruz in the offseason for being too old, but the slugger has responded by leading the American League in home runs this season. So far, Cruz has a .333 average with 10 home run blasts with 22 RBI's. Simply. Ridiculous.

Starting Pitchers

NL: Matt Harvey, New York Mets

Returning from a season off in 2014 due to injury, Harvey hasn't missed a beat going 4-0 with a 3.04 ERA to start the season. Harvey has struck out 31 hitters, while only walking three so far this season.

AL: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

"King Felix" has lived up to his title this season by continuing to dominate opposing batters. He's got a 3-0 record with a 1.97 ERA, striking out 35 batters so far in 2015. Hernandez has also already thrown a complete game shutout and has only allowed seven earned runs this season.

NL: Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers

Greinke has gone 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA to start off 2015. He's only allowed an impressive four earned runs and is an easy selection for my first ballot.

AL: Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays

Archer has just a 3-2 record, but the Rays haven't been able to give him the same run support as some of the other pitchers that made my ballot. Archer's numbers tell the real story, however, as he's posted a 0.84 ERA with 37 strike outs to just six walks allowed.

NL: Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks

Despite the scary moment Bradley experienced last night taking a line drive to the face, he's been a tremendous addition to the Diamondbacks' rotation. The rookie has been great to start the season, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his first four starts as a big leaguer.

AL: Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros

Keuchel has a 3-0 record with a 0.73 ERA to start the 2015 season. If that doesn't provide enough reason to select him on this first ballot, then consider this: Keuchel has only allowed three earned runs and just 16 hits from opposing hitters this season.

Relievers

NL: Jordan Walden, St. Louis Cardinals

Walden has been great in relief for the Cards so far this season, posting a 0.96 ERA with seven holds and a save in relief. Walden has only allowed one earned run to start the season and has been a great boost for the Cardinals' bullpen.

AL: Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

Betances has been a true fireballer, earning five holds for the Yankees so far this season. He has yet to allow an earned run so far this season, and it will be interesting to see how long that streak holds up.

NL: Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves

Johnson is tied with Jordan Walden with seven holds to lead the Majors. Johnson, the once dominant closer just a couple years ago, has also recorded a save and has really looked good on the mound for the Braves so far this season.

AL: Kevin Jepsen, Tampa Bay Rays

Jepsen has five holds with 0.96 ERA, and he's really been a tough task for opposing batters. He's sported an impressive 0.43 WHIP, which is one of the lowest WHIP rates among Major League pitchers.

Closer

NL: Jeurys Familia, New York Mets

Familia has had an incredible start to the 2015 season, already recording nine saves and one hold. He currently has more saves than the Oakland A's, Texas Rangers, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks combined. Obvious choice.

AL: Andrew Miller, New York Yankees

The New York teams have both of my closing pitcher selections on their roster, as Miller has earned eight saves to start the 2015 season. He's yet to allow an earned run and has struck out 20 hitters while only allowing four walks.

As always, thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @griffaldo and feel free to let me know if I'm wrong!