Canadian Joey Votto has made Rob Shaw's fantasy all-star team.

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

The National League finally won the All-Star game, ending a 13-year drought. It's not a surprise that just four runs crossed the dish in Anaheim, as this has been a pitcher's season so far, and the top five pitchers in fantasy baseball all come from the National League.

As far as who rounds out our National League dream team, here's a look at the 2010 Fantasy National League All-Stars:

Catcher: Miguel Olivo, Rockies - After blasting 23 home runs last season, fantasy managers assumed there was nowhere to go but down for Miguel Olivo in 2010. However, it did not take long for the former Marlins backstop to win the full-time starting gig away from Rockies prospect Chris Iannetta. Since then, Olivo has continued to improve with 11 home runs, 41 runs, 41 RBI, and a sterling .317 average. These numbers are far above his personal averages, making a decline in production inevitable. Nonetheless, the Coors Field confines should make 20 home runs a reasonable target, plus his four stolen bases are already more than most backstops have at season's end.

1B: Joey Votto, Reds - Now that he's healthy, the 26-year old Ontario native is showcasing his vast skills and they will certainly results in career highs across the board. Votto is a premier slugger with 22 home runs and 60 RBI, but what's most remarkable is that he also boasts a .314 average and seven stolen bases. Simply put, he has outperformed Albert Pujols and, therefore, deserves a spot in the starting lineup for the Fantasy All-Star game.

2B: Martin Prado, Braves - One of the biggest surprises in the Majors this season, the light-hitting Martin Prado is more consistent than ever and has added a little pop to his bat to lead the first-place Atlanta Braves. The 26-year old middle infielder boasts 10 home runs this season, just one shy of his career high, while also swiping a career high four bases, and hitting at a sensational .325 average. A career .314 hitter first entering his prime, Prado's numbers are sustainable through the second half of the season.

SS: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins - Fantasy managers are thinking that this is a down season for Hanley Ramirez, but the 26-year-old superstar is doing just fine with 13 home runs, 17 steals, and a .298 average. Better things may be on its way, as Ramirez is historically a better second-half player. One area that he needs to work on is his plate appearances against southpaws. Ramirez is hitting just .217 against left-handed pitchers this season.

3B: David Wright, Mets - Fresh off the worst season of his career, David Wright has bounced back in a big way for the Mets. At the All-Star break, Wright has already blasted more home runs than last season and is just a few RBI shy of last year's total as well. Wright's average currently stands at .314 and his 15 steals top all National League third basemen. Despite just four home runs at Citi Field, Wright has learned to contribute at the spacious stadium with a .318 average and eight stolen bases. If the Mets can somehow overcome the Braves, Wright would be deserving of the MVP award.

OF: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies - The Rockies latest star outfielder has put an exclamation point on the first half of the season with five home runs and 14 RBI over the last 10 games of the first half. Gonzalez displayed his talents last season with 13 home runs and 16 steals in 89 games with the Rockies. While some fantasy managers projected a 20-20 season from Gonzalez, most did not anticipate a stellar 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and 12 steals to complement a .314 average at the All-Star break. At just 24-years old, Gonzalez reminds a lot of scouts of a young Carlos Beltran. He's likely going to be drafted in the first round of fantasy drafts for years to come.

OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers - On pace to reach the 30-30 milestone for the first time in his career, Matt Kemp is a fantasy all-star despite being considered a disappointment by many fantasy managers thanks to his .262 batting average. Kemp has been striking out a ton in the first half of the season and is certain to reach a personal high in failed stolen bases. Regardless, his power numbers continue to climb and he is still unrestricted by Dodgers manager Joe Torre on the basepaths.

OF: Adam Dunn, Nationals - Perhaps the most underrated slugger of his generation, Adam Dunn is incredibly consistent, having slammed 40 or more home runs for five straight years before nailing 38 last season. Since joining the Nationals, Dunn has improved his game, having hit a career-best .267 last season and currently offering a .288 average so far this season. In addition to his power, Dunn is valuable at reaching base. His career OBP is a healthy .383, which explains how he has scored a solid 831 runs throughout his career. The good news for Nationals fans and Dunn's fantasy managers is that he is just 30-years old and should have many good years ahead. Just 162 home runs shy of 500 for his career, Dunn may go down in history as one of the greatest sluggers this game has come to know.

DH: Albert Pujols, Cardinals - Yes, it's a down season for Albert Pujols, who only has 21 home runs, 64 RBI, and a .308 average. The good news for fantasy managers is that he remains in striking distance of his usual production. In 2008, Pujols went on a tear after the All-Star break with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, and a .366 average in the final 66 games of the season. If he can post a similar finish this season, Pujols will be right back in the top spot in fantasy leagues. Of course, Pujols could use a healthy Ryan Ludwick and a usual strong second half from Holliday to bolster his run production.

SP: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals - While Ubaldo Jimenez has the most wins and Josh Johnson has the best ERA, Adam Wainwright statistically is the best pitcher in baseball. At 13-5, Wainwright should reach 20 wins for the first time in his career. He also has a dominant 2.11 ERA coupled with a 1.00 WHIP, and his 127 strikeouts are making 250 a reasonable goal this season. At 28-years old, Wainwright is older than the young guns who are getting the most credit, but fantasy managers should realize that if they want the total package, there is no better pitcher in the game than Mr. Curveball himself.

RP: Billy Wagner, Braves - Similar to Mariano Rivera, Billy Wagner is a veteran pitcher who is enjoying his finest season of his career. Always a strikeout magnet, Wagner's 20 saves, 1.21 ERA, and silly 0.86 WHIP are most impressive considering he missed a year of action because of a severe elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. With 405 career saves, Wagner is starting to look like a Hall of Fame pitcher. Though he originally intended to leave the game after this season, fantasy managers and Braves fans will do all that they can to convince Wagner to stay.