In a recent article on CBS Sports, baseball writer Matt Snyder shared his picks for the starters in the upcoming All-Star Game. Snyder emphasized that his selection process focused on the best players of the season, rather than simply relying on popularity or star status.

At catcher, Snyder chose Salvador Perez from the Kansas City Royals. Despite competition from rising star Adley Rutschman, Perez's impressive performance with a .315 batting average, 10 home runs, and 41 RBIs earned him the nod.

Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians secured the first baseman spot with his power numbers, including 16 home runs and 44 RBIs. Snyder acknowledged the tough competition from Ryan Mountcastle and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but emphasized Naylor's role in run production.

In the second baseman position, Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers got the vote over Jose Altuve. Semien's strong defensive scores, along with 14 RBIs and one more home run, gave him the edge.

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians was chosen for third base, thanks to his 16 home runs and league-leading 58 RBIs, which helped keep his team in first place.

At shortstop, Snyder opted for Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles, highlighting the two-man race between Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. as the up-and-coming superstars in the position.

The outfield trio consisted of Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees), and Kyle Tucker (Astros), with Snyder noting their outstanding performances that set them apart from the rest of the field.

Yordan Alvarez of the Astros earned the designated hitter spot over Giancarlo Stanton, attributed to Alvarez's overall hitting prowess.

In the NL, the position at catcher went to William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers, who narrowly beat out Will Smith due to his impressive .310 batting average, eight home runs, and 44 RBIs.

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies secured the first baseman spot, given his exceptional performances and leadership for the best team in the National League.

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks was chosen as the second baseman, with his .278 batting average and .502 slugging percentage setting him apart from Luis Arraez.

Alec Bohm of the Phillies got the nod at third base, having a breakout season and contributing significantly to the success of his team.

Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers was an uncontested choice for shortstop due to his exceptional skills and impact on the game.

The outfield comprised Jurickson Profar (Padres), Christian Yelich (Brewers), and Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres). Profar's impressive on-base percentage of .424 and solid hitting earned him the starting position.

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was selected as the designated hitter, with his versatile offensive abilities and standout performance outweighing Marcell Ozuna's contributions for the Braves.

While opinions may vary, Snyder's choices reflect the standout performances and impact these players have had on their teams this season. The final voting results will ultimately be tallied by MLB, allowing fans to have their say in deciding the All-Star Game starters.