Nate McLouth can't help but think about playing in this year's All-Star Game, whether he wants to or not.

The Pirates' center fielder is the most likely candidate to be named as the team's only All-Star this season. He is also the most deserving choice by a landslide.

McLouth's got the numbers. He's played with consistency. Even though he's done everything he can to be named to the team, which should come one week from today, McLouth is trying to avoid thinking about the honor until it happens. Problem is, that is easier said than done.

"I only think about it if people bring it up," McLouth said of the possible All-Star nod. "It's not something I think about on my own, ever. It's not my focus."

Usually, it takes quite a bit to be named as a reserve outfielder for the All-Star teams. The competition is great and a lot of players have strong power numbers in the outfield.

Even though the 5-11, 180-pound McLouth doesn't look like your prototypical power hitter, he's putting up numbers that will certainly make Colorado manager Clint Hurdle, this year's National League All-Star manager, take notice.

Through Friday, McLouth led all National League center fielders in slugging percentage (.534), runs scored (56) and doubles (26). His 26 doubles are tied for the league-lead with Houston's Lance Berkman, a true power hitter.

McLouth's .905 OPS (on-base average plus slugging percentage) is even more impressive considering he has batted leadoff for the majority of the season.

It doesn't, however, come as a surprise to his teammates who know that McLouth, and not Jason Bay or Freddy Sanchez, makes the offense go.

"Every inning that Nate's coming to the plate we feel that good things are going to happen," said first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. "He knows the importance of leading off a game. Leadoff hitters set the tone for the whole day and Nate is aggressive. He seems to hit a ball in the gap and it sets a good tone for our offense.

"He's been a workhorse all year and when he's going good, we're going good."

Nobody else on the team is really close to McLouth when it comes to All-Star recognition. Fellow outfielder Xavier Nady was making a case in the first two months of the season and is sixth in the league with a .314 average. But injuries have slowed him in June.

Bay is tied with McLouth in home runs and batting average. But Bay has 10 fewer RBI, which is significant considering Bay always hits in a run-producing spot in the order.

Nobody from the pitching staff deserves any kind of consideration. Closer Matt Capps and his 17 saves are nice, but that's still tied for only fifth in the league and there are more deserving closers.

McLouth should be the Pirates' All-Star selection. He deserves it any way you look at it.

Doug Street can be reached at dstreet@observer-reporter.com.

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