The All-Fun MLB team: Most entertaining players at each position

1B: Joey Votto, Reds

There's no hitter in baseball I'd rather watch in the batter's box than Joey Votto. Just in terms of how he goes about his business, he's truly an all-time great batsmith. He hits for average, walks far more than he strikes out these days and will probably hit 40 homers this year. He chokes up and shortens his swing on two strikes, which is nearly unheard of from power hitters these days. What's more, Votto interacts with the fans -- both in a good way at home and in trolling fashion on the road -- these days. Oh, and he had that whole "get Zack Cozart a donkey" storyline leading up to the All-Star Game.

Also considered: Anthony Rizzo, Miguel Cabrera, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt

2B: Jose Altuve, Astros

C'mon, he's only 5'6"! 

It's not all about the size, of course. That's just a bonus to watch what Altuve does with his diminutive frame on a daily basis. He's going to lead the league in hits for the fourth straight year, he hits for power, he steals bases (he's currently leading the league) and plays a very good second base. There's nothing he can't do, and he's pretty much always doing with flair and a smile on his face. 

Also considered: Josh Harrison, Robinson Cano, Dee Gordon

SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians

This one was an incredibly tough choice. Baseball is filled with highlight-reel defenders at this premium position who can also rake and exude tons of charisma. 

There's no real correct answer here on this subjective list. I just love watching Lindor play. He hits for power, has lots of speed and plays a smooth shortstop while mixing in gems on a seemingly nightly basis. 

Also considered: Carlos Correa, Andrelton Simmons, Corey Seager, Elvis Andrus, Didi Gregorius, Orlando Arcia

3B: Adrian Beltre, Rangers

The future Hall of Famer is still getting it done at age 38. He's an utter joy to watch at work, too. Whether it's just his exceptional play at the plate or at the hot corner or his hijinks (moving the batter's box, messing with Elvis Andrus, avoiding Andrus touching him on the head, etc.), he's just too much fun. He'll still go down to a knee on swings on occasion, too. Man, I'm gonna miss him so when he retires. 

Also heavily considered: Manny Machado gets the hardest snub on this list. I really wanted to include him. 

Also considered: Nolan Arenado, Jose Ramirez, Yangervis Solarte, Miguel Sano, Josh Donaldson, Kris Bryant and Jake Lamb.

UT: Javier Baez, Cubs

Yes, I'm creating a spot for my favorite player to watch. Baez has his flaws. A great flaw, in fact, when it comes to plate discipline. I initially came up with the idea for this team because of how it seems like so many people misunderstand what makes Baez so popular. It's not because he's so awesome (he is very good, by the way), but it's because he's so fun to watch. Check him out on defense, whether it's second, short or third. Watch his tags. Seriously, we're breaking down tagging as a skill because of Baez! Watch him fly around the bases or hit one out of the ballpark with that violent, almost exaggerated, swing. He's everything good about baseball, even if he's not close to being an elite player.

Also considered: Marwin Gonzalez

OF: Mike Trout, Angels

This isn't too complicated. While fun doesn't necessarily equal great, all-time greatness is an incredible joy to witness. Trout plays hard, has fun and is good at pretty much everything. To wit, he is a great guy, too. Anyone who doesn't love Trout probably really doesn't watch him play much. 

OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

In terms of on-field personality, Harper is the yin to Trout's yang, but there's room for all kinds of attitudes. Harper's brash and somewhat cocky manner of play is endearing at times. He looks like he thinks he's awesome to some, and, well, he is awesome. He'll crush 450-foot homers, hose baserunners who test him, run into walls trying to make catches (though probably not ever again) and wear his emotions on his sleeve. Oh, and don't throw at him on purpose. 

OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

His home run onslaught in the past two months has been glorious and it's something we've long known was in there. He just needed to stay healthy and get locked in. It's finally happened and our payoff has been well worth the wait. 

Other outfielders considered: Yasiel Puig, George Springer, Aaron Judge, Andrew McCutchen, Adam Jones, Kevin Kiermaier, Khris Davis, Mitch Haniger, Lorenzo Cain, Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, Charlie Blackmon, Marcell Ozuna, Tommy Pham, Avisail Garcia, Byron Buxton, Ender Inciarte

DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Indians

He's a great power hitter and has been for a while, but it's all about running around the bases carrying the imaginary parrot on his arm. 

Also considered: Joey Gallo

PR/defensive replacement: Billy Hamilton, Reds

I just had to make a spot for Hamilton. He's not a good hitter at all, but there's no one more exciting when you combine being a terror on the basepaths with his ability to get to just about anything in the air in the outfield. He's so good at everything else, he'd be a superstar if he could just get on base at a .350 clip. 

Still, as things stand he's insanely fun to watch. 

LHP: Chris Sale, Red Sox

Sale's an exceptional pitcher and might well win the Cy Young, but that's not really what it's about. Just watching someone of his spindly frame from that weird arm slot sling the ball with such force and precision is off-the-charts fun. 

Also considered: Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner (mostly for the hitting), James Paxton

RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals

Again, Scherzer is an outstanding pitcher but that's not 100 percent why he's here. Have you ever seen him when he gets really riled up? He can be seen cussing himself out while he's winding up at times. It's high comedy. He pretty much always pitches angry. Also, he's seemingly a threat to throw a perfect game every time he takes the ball. He gets through three or four no-hits innings many times each season. 

Also considered: Johnny Cueto, Marcus Stroman, Corey Kluber, Chris Archer, Noah Syndergaard, Justin Verlander, Aaron Nola

Closer: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers

Coming out of the Dodger Stadium bullpen to "California Love" is such a perfect fit here. It's good he didn't sign elsewhere in free agency, that's for sure. Once Jansen gets to the hill we're treated to a dizzying array high-velocity of cutters. When he's on, which is almost all the time these days, it's basically not even fair for the hitter. 

Also considered: Fernando Rodney, Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Miller, Corey Knebel