Home runs and highlight-reel catches: Get to know the NL starting lineup for the 2015 All-Star Game

If you thought the Fourth of July was full of fireworks, just wait until July 14 in Cincinnati when baseball's biggest stars converge at Great American Ball Park for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile. 

And with home-field advantage in the Fall Classic on the line, you can be sure that the Senior Circuit is going to send the best of their best to Cincy. We're talking guys on pace for 50 homers, guys on pace 50 steals, rookies, veterans ... the best of the best regardless of how they get it done.

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, here is the starting lineup for the 2015 National League All-Star team.And be sure to check out the American League's here.

C - Buster Posey, Giants

All Buster Posey's done in his seven MLB seasons is win an NL Rookie of the Year Award (2010), an NL MVP ('12) and three World Series (10', 12', '14). He's at it again with 14 homers and a .304 average in 2015, but it's his #BusterHug that set him apart from the competition. Posey's caught three no-nos in the last four years, so if it's ever gonna happen in an All-Star Game, it's gonna be with him behind the dish.

1B - Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs

When you're tops in the bigs in statistical categories like batting average and walks, it's no real surprise when you're announced as an All-Star Game starter. But it's that power that helped him launch two dingers against the Brewers on May 30 and make it easy to be excited about his inclusion in this starting lineup. Can someone say "cleanup hitter?"

2B - Dee Gordon, Marlins

You can't talk about the #ASGWorthy-ness of a guy nicknamed Flash Jr. without mentioning that he hit the fastest recorded home run in the history of the game. Is that good, though?

3B - Todd Frazier, Reds

Nothing says #ASGWorthy quite like a walk-off grand slam and this hometown hero delivered just that in the bottom of the 13th to beat Tigers in Interleague play back in June. Fun fact: Frazier is one of two NL ASG starters to walk up to Frank Sinatra.

SS - Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals

The Cardinals aren't 53-28 by accident. It's been big plays in big moments that have helped them to the best record in the bigs, and none was bigger than Peralta's walk-off homer on Memorial Day to lift the Cards to victory over the D-backs in extras.

OF - Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

Sadly Giancarlo Stanton won't be able to participate in this year's Midsummer Classic as he's currently on the DL with a broken hand. That means that baseball fans will have to imagine what it would have been like to watch Stanton hit a ball straight out of Great American Ball Park like he did in (or, more appropriately, "at") Dodger Stadium back in May.

OF - Matt Holliday, Cardinals

It's not good enough to simply show flashes of brilliance to be named an ASG starter. Baseball is a game of "what have you done for me lately?" and no one embodies that mentality more than Holliday, who set an NL record by reaching base safely in 43 consecutive games to start 2015. How's that for consistency?

OF - Bryce Harper, Nationals

Quite frankly, there just isn't enough time between now and first pitch in Cincinnati for us to do Bryce Harper's first half of 2015 justice. But if we're gonna try, we should at least point out his performance on May 6, when he launched three homers into the stands at Nationals Park (and two of those were into the upper deck). #ASGWorthy? We think so.

Don't think this is all you'll see, though. Pitchers and reserves will be announced on Monday followed by the MLB Final Vote, so you can once again select the final player in both the AL and NL.