by Ken Rosenthal

Updated: July 5, 2008, 11:35 AM EST 255 comments

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Every hitter, it seemed, had big numbers, and even previously light-hitting infielders were on record offensive paces.

Well, those days are gone.

Offensive stats no longer are as inflated, and the dividing lines between players are clearer. Pitchers, like hitters, used — and still may use — performance-enhancing drugs, But it was easier finding pitchers than hitters for my American and National League teams.

As usual, I've selected complete 32-man rosters and followed the rules by including at least one representative from each club. Some of my picks honor breakthroughs by previously unknown players; others are for stars who enjoy greater name recognition.

Good luck to AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox, who will spend a typically peaceful weekend at Yankee Stadium (MLB on Fox, Saturday, 3:55 p.m. ET) before getting ripped apart Sunday night once the All-Star selections are announced. Ditto for NL manager Clint Hurdle of the Rockies. He hasn't caught a break all season; why should he start now?

Asterisks denote my starters.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Edinson Volquez could get the ball for the NL. (Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images)

Notable omissions: Taylor Buchholz, RHP, Rockies; Francisco Cordero, RHP, Reds; Jair Jurrjens, RHP, Braves; Hong-Chi Kuo, Dodgers; Kyle Lohse, RHP, Cards; Carlos Marmol, RHP, Cubs; Kerry Wood, RHP, Cubs.

Love the staff, even though I included only two relievers. The starters on my team are just too good — so good, I couldn't find a spot for Jurrjens, who is sixth in the league in ERA.

Hanley Ramirez headlines a strong NL infield. (Marc Serota / Getty Images)

Notable omission: Yadier Molina, Cardinals.

None of my selections is older than 25. Molina throws as well as any catcher in the league and is one of the most difficult players to strike out, yet I can't find a spot for him.

Notable omissions: Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs; Conor Jackson, 1B, Diamondbacks.

Hold your venom, Cubs fans. Ramirez clearly is deserving. Problem is, Guzman is the Nats' sole representative, and who exactly would you remove from the list? Reyes hasn't always played like an All-Star, seemingly botching a play a day, but he's second to Ramirez in OPS among NL shortstops and leads the league in stolen bases. It would make no sense to exclude one of the five most exciting players in the game.

Notable omissions: Rick Ankiel, Cardinals; Jason Bay, Pirates; Carlos Lee, Astros; Xavier Nady, Pirates; Alfonso Soriano, Cubs.

Griffey's selection amounts to a lifetime achievement award, but for goodness sake, he just hit his 600th home run. McLouth makes it over Bay and Nady because I need a center fielder; all three Pirates are worthy.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

*denotes starter

Notable omissions: Jim Johnson, Orioles; Gavin Floyd, White Sox; Rich Harden, A's; Brandon Morrow, Mariners; Mike Mussina, Yankees; Ervin Santana, Angels; C.C. Sabathia, Indians; George Sherrill, Orioles.

I excluded Santana only because I felt three Angels pitchers were enough. Harden, too, belongs, if only to exploit his rare good health. Morrow, while dominant, has thrown only 25 1/3 innings. Sherrill is second in the AL in saves, Johnson second in reliever ERA.

A-Rod has become a mainstay in the AL infield. (Chris Trotman / Getty Images)

Notable omission: A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox.

Navarro and Pierzynski have comparable offensive statistics, but Navarro is the better thrower.

Notable omissions: Jason Giambi, 1B, Yankees; Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins; Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox; Mark Ellis, 2B, A's.

Grady Sizemore's power surge make him a slam-dunk starter. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

Not long ago, the quartet of Jeter, A-Rod, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada defined shortstop play in the AL Now the position is alarmingly weak; six AL second basemen boast a higher OPS than Young, the top AL shortstop.

Cabrera is the only Tiger; Giambi and Morneau are more worthy.

Notable omissions: David DeJesus, Royals; Johnny Damon, Yankees; Nick Markakis, Orioles.

Bradley leads the league in OPS, ahead of A-Rod, ahead of Drew, ahead of Hamilton, too. Suzuki and Ramirez are performing below their usual standards, but they're still All-Stars. For once, none of the omissions is especially painful.