First-half MVP is Kemp, pitcher Verlander

Matt Kemp was a first-round pick in fantasy baseball drafts last season and didn't return the value. This season, the Dodgers' outfielder is showing why people had such lofty expectations and he is the fantasy MVP of the first half.

Kemp is batting .323 with 22 home runs, 66 RBIs, 55 runs, 26 stolen bases, and a 1.008 OPS and he's doing it in a poor lineup with no protection.

The pitching MVP goes to Justin Verlander. The Tigers' righthander is 11-4 with a 2.26 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. In 143 1/3 innings, he has allowed 95 hits with a 138/31 K/BB ratio, and pitched a no-hitter May 7.

The All-Stars by position:

Catcher: Brian McCann (Braves). One of the most reliable catchers is batting .314 with 14 HRs, 48 RBIs and 34 runs. Best value: Alex Avila (Tigers).

First base: Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox). The move out of Petco Park to Fenway has gone as well as most thought. He's hitting .351 with 17 HRs, 76 RBIs, 60 runs and a 1.000 OPS. Best value: Paul Konerko (White Sox).

Second base: Robinson Cano (Yankees). Batting .297 with 15 HRs, 56 RBIs and 56 runs. Best value: Danny Espinosa (Nationals).

Shortstop: Jose Reyes (Mets). Makes a case to be the MVP, hitting .354-3-32, with 65 runs, 30 SBs, and a .927 OPS. Best value: Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians).

Third base: Jose Bautista (Blue Jays). Any doubts now? Batting .333 with 29 HRs, 61 RBIs, 69 runs and 1.158 OPS. Best value: Jhonny Peralta (Tigers).

Outfield: Ryan Braun (Brewers). In the mix for MVP, hitting .320-16-62 with 57 runs, 19 SBs, and a .961 OPS; Curtis Granderson (Yankees). Hitting .271-25-62 with 77 runs and 15 SBs. Best values: Lance Berkman (Cardinals), Melky Cabrera (Royals), Alex Gordon (Royals), Mike Morse (Nationals).

Starting pitcher: Jered Weaver (Angels): Almost identical numbers to Verlander at 11-4, 1.86, a 0.91 WHIP, and a 120/31 K/BB ratio in 140 1/3 innings; Roy Halladay (Phillies): 11-3, 2.44, a 1.03 WHIP, and 8.65 K/9; James Shields (Rays): Six complete games, including three shutouts, 2.47 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 8.82 K/9; Cole Hamels (Phillies): 10-4, 2.40, a 0.95 WHIP, and a 115/22 K/BB ratio in 124 innings. Best values: Jair Jurrjens (Braves), Josh Beckett (Red Sox), Michael Piñeda (Mariners), Alexi Ogando (Rangers).

Relief pitcher: Joel Hanrahan (Pirates): Converted all 25 saves, a 1.37 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 33/8 K/BB ratio in 39 1/3 IP; Craig Kimbrel (Braves): The rookie has 27 saves, a 14 strikeout / 9-inning ratio with a 2.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP; Drew Storen (Nationals): Converted 22 of 25 saves, a 2.58 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. Best values: Sergio Santos (White Sox), Fernando Salas (Cardinals).All stats entering Friday