Well, another MLB all-star game is in the books, and thanks to Carl Crawford, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and a pair of Mariners, the junior circuit once again earned the right to get four home games instead of three in the World Series.

Wake me when something different happens.

What’s more interesting is the whole youth movement everyone’s talking about in baseball. Cnnsi.com had a nice piece about the rising star of the game that is Tim Lincecum. You know, the Giants pitcher who Cy Younged last year and is on the verge of doing it in ’09 as well?

I read a lot of Washington state fans and hacks moan about how the Mariners (actually, they say “we,” as if they’re in the M’s front office) should have picked the kid in the 2006 draft after seeing him shred opposing hitters at UW. (San Fran scooped him up at No. 10)

I’ve thought that myself, but keep in mind that eight other teams passed on Lincecum as well. Kansas City took Luke Hochevar as the No. 1 pick. So far? He’s 11-16 with a 5.25 ERA in three seasons.

No. 2 was Gregory Reynolds to the Rockies. So far? 2-8 with an 8.13 ERA in 13 starts last year for Colorado, and now he’s hurt and in the minors.

No. 3 has worked out (Evan Longoria) but No. 4, Brad Lincoln, is still working his way to the majors in the Pirates’ organization.

Seattle took Morrow — 6-12 with 16 saves and a 4.14 ERA as a part-time reliever, part-time starter for Seattle — before getting sent down this season. Yes, he hasn’t lived up to the hype yet.

At No. 6, Detroit took Andrew Miller. After posting a 5-5 record in 13 starts for the Tigers, they traded him to Florida. Lifetime stats: 14-20, 5.42 ERA. Nice.

At No. 7, the Dodgers took Clayton Kershaw. Dude is solid, with a 7-5 mark and a 3.16 ERA for the best team in baseball. In two years, he’s 12-10 with a 3.73 ERA. Not bad.

At No. 8, the Reds took Robert Stubbs. He’s still a well thought-of prospect but he’s in Indianapolis hitting .274 for the big club’s AAA squad.

At No. 9, Baltimore took William Rowell, a third baseman who once hit a 480-foot home run. He sat out one season with an injury and is currently with an A-league team hitting .232. Hmm.

Then, Lincecum. First year: 7-5, 4.00 ERA, 150 Ks in 24 starts. Second year: 18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265 strikeouts, Cy Young in 33 starts. This year? 10-2, 2.33 ERA, 149 Ks in 18 starts.

Nice.

I’m guessing the next time UW or another Northwest school has a stud pitcher like Lincecum, the M’s with look a little closer.