#ASGWorthy: Davis’ hot start leads AL first basemen

The 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Ballot has been released, and while the season is still young, it’s never too early to start evaluating candidates. Many have already begun to stand out, while others are sure to hit their stride in the coming months leading up to the July 12 Midsummer Classic at San Diego’s Petco Park.

As fans cast their votes for who they deem worthy of 2016 All-Star status, MLB.com is going to look position by position through each league, continuing today with the American League first basemen.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot #ASGWorthy players

The stalwarts

Perennial All-Star Miguel Cabrera has been among the most steady offensive producers in baseball for more than a decade. The Detroit slugger is off to a slow start this year, but if his previous body of work — and his two-homer, four-hit game Monday — is any indication, it won’t be long before his numbers begin to climb closer to his .320/.398/.560 career slash line.

It’s been a while since Joe Mauer made an All-Star team, but the 33-year-old veteran looks like his old self again, batting .329 with six RBIs. Entering Tuesday, he was tops in the AL in on-base percentage (.455) and tied for fifth in batting average (.329).

The fast starters

The Orioles have been among the hottest offenses throughout the first month of the regular season, and Chris Davis has been right at the heart of this power surge. He’s already driven in 13 runs and is tied for first on the club with six homers. Davis also leads the O’s in runs scored (17) and walks (15).

Another first baseman off a strong start is Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer, whom many believed was snubbed from …

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