I think it will be Jones, but it should be Hardy, if for no other reason than to block blockheads who don't know any shortstop other than Jeter, who doesn't deserve it this year.

My immediate reaction was Adam Jones or Zach Britton.

JJ has been excellent, but he missed that first month of the season.

Wieters deserves it.

Adam Jones is the top candidate, with J.J. Hardy a close second.

Jones has had a tremendous first half, and appears to be on his way to a breakout season. He seems finally to have learned to lay off the low outside slider that he formerly would flail away at and pitchers used to strike him out. And he has clearly discovered the value of hitting the ball to the opposite field. He's just harder to pitch to as a result. And his defense remains first rate.

Hardy is having an absolutely phenomenal season, with a plus .300 batting average, double figure home runs at the half way point, and steady and sometimes spectacular defense.

Wieters is much better this year, but probably still a year or two away from a "breakout" season.

What are Arrieta? He could be 10-4 by the break. If not, I would vote for Adam Jones.

I'm good with Jones. I think Weiters should make it also. If this game means something, and it does, as a manager, if I have the lead late in the game, I want Weiters behind the plate to throw out any potential base stealers.

Maybe we can sneak AJ in there & Wieters too. I think Jones is a bona fide all star this year. One would assume that Washington will carry two catchers. Russel Martin (along with every other position Yankee) dominates the ballot-stuffed box but looking around the league I see no better all-around catcher than Matt Wieters. Mauer won't get selected so the door is open for us to get Matt in there as well.

Wieters.

Best defensive catcher in baseball. Only catcher without a passed ball. Holding his own at the plate too.

When you are the best at a position, you should be an All-Star.

If you play the game to win, it is cut and dried: Matt Wieters.

He is too good defensively and offensively when their are runs to be scored.

I Say the Orioles get 2 Allstars! Ron Washington will probaly select Matt Weiters based on need (Not too many better catchers out there). Then Adam Jones has a great chance of making through Last Player fan voting. He has exposure since baseball tonight been exploiting his defensive highlights and the #s are there.

Wieters should absolutely get the backup catcher nod, but it will probably go to Adam.

Weiters

Wieters is my favorite player on the team but AJ is the All-Star realistically. His numbers are great and his defense is amazing (I think he leads the league in outfield assists). He hustles every play, even on infield pop ups (i.e. yesterday against Cincy)

Wieters is obviously the best defensive catcher, but Martin will get the vote because he's kind of had a "resurgence" this year.

Wieters is the best defensive catcher in the league, according to John Dewan's runs saved formula (double his next competitor, Alex Avila of Detroit), and will probably be chosen because catcher is not a position with as much depth as centerfield. Jones deserves it, both defensively and offensively, but suffers because of all them outfielders. Hardy has been one of the best SStops so far this year but will probably lose out to Asdrubal Cabrera, Aramis Ramirez, Jeter votes (maybe he'll still be on the DL) and the numbers game. The Orioles may surprise, placing both Wieters and Jones.

Dan...do you think there's any chance the O's get two representatives this year?

In the past decade, there haven't really been many deserving Orioles, so it's always been "while, we have to take one, so who is it?" But I think both Hardy and Jones actually deserve to be there this year.

Because of the strong seasons (as much as I hate to say it) of Ellsbury and Granderson, I think Jones is a bit of a reach in CF.

Wieters is a better call: only Avila is having an offensive season that is markedly better. But if Russell Martin is getting all these votes then that would make a bit of a roster crunch.

Koji and Jim Johnson should be in the mix for consideration. I wish saves weren't relevant.

Hardy's injury might prevent him from consideration, perhaps legitimately. Too bad, because he might be the best SS in the AL right now.

Nick Markakis. They owe him for the unjustified omissions of the past.

Mark Reynolds LOL

I'd say Hardy deserves it. Highest BA on the team, he's hit for power, and he has provided a needed spark plug as lead-off hitter.

Jones also deserving, I'm not sure if Wieters is there yet. He's called great games and played good defense, hit well with RISP even though his overall hitting numbers aren't all-star worthy. I'd like him to earn his first all-star nod.

Why no discussion about Roberts? Given the way some writers seem to think Roberts is the difference between the Os being a AL doormat and winning the pennant, he surely must be Cy Young and Roger Maris all wrapped up in one. Irrelevant that he hasn't played, to hear the sportswriters Roberts is the singlemost crucial player in all of pro sports, and I think that should be recognized.

All three are worthy, but there are arguably better players at OF and C. Can't think of a better SS this year, so it should be Hardy.

I think if Jeter is not healthy by the time the game roles around it will be Hardy. If not it will be Wieters...lets face it there are not that many catchers this year that have the combo of great defense and hitting since Mauer has been hurt. I voted for all 3 though. :)

I think it should and will be two this year: Jones and Wieters. Hardy has been tremendous but missing a month and playing for a last place team will keep him off.

Without any doubts I say both Adam Jones and Koji Uehara deserve to be selected

Weiters probably has the best shot only because of the position he plays. I'd challange anyone to find 3 better catchers in the AL.

Hardy and Jones definately deserve it, Jones will be tough only because he is an outfielder. Jeter's injury could help Hardy make the team.

It will be Adam. He has a previous track record as an All-Star, and he's backing it up this year with good numbers and defense.

That said, I would want Wieters in there too, but he brings a profile that often gets underrated, that is, offensive numbers that are slightly above-average, but excellent defense. He would have to get in primarily for his defense, which really just means, he needs a strong personal champion in Washington. Not sure if that's going to happen over a few other catchers who are posting bonafide obvious young strong offensive campaigns.

Hardy is a tough call. He's having a exceptional season at a tough position. That said, he'd have to get in because the manager wants him there, but the extra bench slots in this game tend to go to clear offensive standouts that don't account for offensively scarce positions like SS. Even at that, if one had to choose one, I'd choose Cabrera over Hardy. This would be a non-starter debate if it were in the NL. That SS competition is even stiffer. Jeesh.

Hardy deserves to be on the team, not just because the O's need a rep. He has been one of the top AL Shortstops this year. BA/HRs?Def should put him through. Too bad we do this fan voting stuff, that will deny him of what he deserves.

JJ Hardy. He leads AL SS in OBP and SLG.

It should be Jeremy Guthrie. I made a mistake in releasing him on the fateful day in January 2007. Plus, the fact that struts around like a 3 time "Cy Young" Award winner. He should be the starter.
Let me tell ya, he's better then anyone in our current 2011 rotation.

Hardy and Weiters.....and any thoughts of trading Hardy are ridiculous....guy is the crown jewel of McPhail picks.

It's a travesty that no O's are even among the top vote-getters in balloting. Jones, Wieters, Hardy, and Markakis should all be among the top-5 at their position (or top-15 for outfielders):
http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/chatter/2011/06/os-get-no-respect

wieters is a good defensive catcher cause he has gotten used to calling the game with our pitching staff. I am not sure he would be as affective with other teams pitchers without practice. I think it has to be hardy or jones
_________________________________
Response from Steve Gould:
Patrick, that's valid, but it's also going to be true of any other catcher selected to the All-Star Game, so I don't think that should be grounds for eliminating Wieters as an option.

Adam Jones is finally having the breakout season we've been waiting for. His defense is now matching the gold glove he won a few years ago. He deserves it, hands down.

I don't see how Jones and Wieters are left off of the team. Jones is maybe the best defensive centerfielder in baseball and Wieteris IS the best defensive catcher in baseball. When you look at their offensive numbers they are at least comparable to any other candidates at their positions. Hardy would be another one had he not missed the time because of injury but to me the other 2 should be a lock.

No one is talking about Arrieta but it used to be if you had 10 wins by the final picks you were almost an automatic. Britton has the better ERA but Arrieta has the wins so I would not be surprised to see him picked if he gets W#10. O's could get 3 guys!

Koji. Period!

Wieters is having the second best season offensively out of AL catchers. While he is not Chuck Norris, in a down offensive year, he is second only to Avila. Most of the other catchers with better power numbers are hitting around a Dempsian .230.

Jones goes because he is their best player.

Hardy has been a 5'10" monster this year when healthy... unfortunately, he will fall behind Peralta, Cabrera and Andrus AND stupid Jeter. Think his injury is going to drag to avoid the embarrassment of being an unworthy all star

Jones, Wieters, and/or Arrieta.. But because the "all-star game" isn't really an all-star game as much as it is a popularity contest that wont happen. Jones will be the guy. I hope Wieters makes it but i doubt it.. Hardy would be nice to see as well but due to the fact he has missed a month and then add the emergence of Astrubal Cabrera there's no room for him because we all know Jeter is a lock.. oh well, as fans we know who should be there even if the rest of the baseball community doesn't acknowledge it.

I think both Wieters and Arrieta deserve, but it's not up to me....

Here's my topic of the day- what Oriole are you finished watching?

My candidates are Andino and Scott. Let the Davis kid play and get Pie some regular at bats to get hot. You know what you are getting with Andino and Scott. Lets move on.

Where is Reimold? Is Pie in Harbaugh's dog house?

Reynolds. I'm rooting for the National League.

Jones will be our only All-star because of guys like Martin and Jeter making it. Cut Guerrero already or at least get him out of the cleanup spot. Move Wieters and Reynolds up.

If it were up to me, which it should be! I would trade for Kevin Millwood so the Orioles could have an All Star Selection.
Ron Washington really likes Millwood and wants him on the team as an Oriole.

Jim Palmer.
Even though he hasn't pitched in 35 years, he's still better than what we roll out on a nightly basis...and, he's in far better shape.

Wieters is having a very nice year, but Alex Avila is having a great year. More HRs (10 to 7) even though his home games are in a huge park, more RBI (45 to 33), higher average by 40 points (.303 to .262), higher OPS by nearly 200 points. Avila trails Wieters in the CS% by 3%, 42% to 39%.

My heart says Wieters. I've so enjoyed the work he's done this year. But Jones is very worthy as well. I think Hardy misses simply because he missed a month. But I love him too.

After Bautista, Granderson, Zobrist and Ellsbury and Quentin..... sure, Adam Jones. His overrated defense at CF kills him, but for the offense mined, he wouldn't be a bad selection.....after the 5 I mentioned.

After Alex Avila.... Matt Wieters as the reserve, who is the best defensive catcher in the league.

I don't think JJ Hardy will make it over Alexi Ramerez and Jhonny Peralta, plus there's also Asdrubal Cabrera who is also having a better year so far.

I'd love to see J.J. Hardy as the Os representative.

I honestly believe that two O's will make the team. Jones and Wieters are both having exceptional seasons. No question about it that Adam has turned into the player we all thought he was going to be plus this season has been his best with both the glove and the bat. I also can't help but think how good Matt would be with a legit staff that knew how to hold runners, but he is a weapon behind the plate and he's leading the league with RISP, so I do believe we will have two O's this year.

Marc Reynolds. Maybe an All-Star coach can teach him how to catch baseballs.

Jones, Wieters, Hardy, and Arrieta are all worthy in my opinion.

J.J. Hardy.....period

Iagree with Reet. I think Wieaters,Jones Arrieta, but deffently Hardy. I don't think he should of got that miss Q.That was a hard play to make with how far he had to come . I've seen a lot of easy plays they called hits . One more thing , What about Koji . Why not him too . We have some good players that will over looked .
Curt

Adam Jones.

The reason why Koji Uehara will not make the All Star game is because not too many set up men have ever made it there. He would need an ERA south of 1.00 and a WHIP south of 0.75.

Another reason is because he has 0 saves, which in my opinion is meaningless because A) saves are a deceptive, overrated stat and a por way to evaluate a reliever and B) the prime example is Kevin Gregg, who is 7th in the AL with 14 saves. But that's the standard whether I like it or not.

Also, I think Jim Johnson beats Uehara because he has better stuff and is less prone to the HR.

J J Hardy---clearly the best player at his position in the AL this year who is also an Oriole.

Jones is being out-stated by Granderson and Ellsbury.

Weiters has played well enough to be considered but Avila is playing better and unfortunately Martin will probably be the 'peoples' (read:NY) choice.

Johnson and Uehara are also worthy but they tend to take starters and closers only.

It Should be Wieters or Jones, but it won't be Jones because there are other outfielders who are slightly less deserving but will get their team's mandatory bid (think Gordon in KC). It's got to be Wieters, who is definitely deserving of getting the nod as the 3rd catcher.

However, I have the feelings Arrieta is going to get in due to his win total. Maybe the O's get 2!

@Len:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Good one.

Really. (Snort)

Gold Glover Adam Jones? You mean the one that is rated the 4th worst fielder in all of baseball, regardless of position?

The nod goes to Wieters. There is no argument.