Morgan Killian-Moseley
On Sunday July 2, Major League Baseball announced its full initial rosters for the 93rd All-Star Game, which will be played July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
The managers of the National League and American League All-Star teams are the managers of each league's representative in the previous year's World Series. The starting lineups, revealed on June 29, were determined through two phases of fan voting, with the exception of the pitchers who were chosen by the managers of the All-Star teams. The reserve position players and pitching staffs were chosen by a combination of player polls and selections by the Commissioner's office.
Over the past week, any player who was unable to play or opted not to participate was replaced on the active All-Star roster.
Here are your 2023 MLB All-Stars (statistics as of July 10, provided by mlb.com and baseball-reference.com):
National League
Manager: Rob Thomson, #59, Philadelphia Phillies
Managers Added to Coaching Staff:
David Bell, #25, Cincinnati Reds
Derek Shelton, #17, Pittsburgh Pirates
Athletic Trainers:
Tomas Vera, Cincinnati Reds
Anthony Reyes, San Francisco Giants
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Dustin Clarke, New York Mets
Starters:
Catcher: Sean Murphy, #12, Atlanta Braves (1st-Time All-Star)
.306 AVG/.400 OBP/.599 SLG, 17 HR, 55 RBI
Murphy is one of a major league-leading and franchise record eight All-Stars for the Braves, who hold the best record in the majors and are showing no signs of slowing down. Murphy showed plenty of talent with Oakland over the past 3 seasons, and has earned his first All-Star nod in his first season with Atlanta. His 55 RBI lead all NL backstops, his 17 home runs tie him for the NL catcher lead with the Mets’ Francisco Alvarez, and his .999 on-base-plus-slugging percentage would lead all Major League catchers, and in fact the entire National League, if he had enough plate appearances to qualify.
1st Baseman: Freddie Freeman, #5, Los Angeles Dodgers (7-Time All-Star, 3rd Start)
.320 AVG/.396 OBP/.556 SLG, 17 HR, 61 RBI
Freeman is a fixture at All-Star Games and a model of consistency. Freeman’s 114 base hits and .952 OPS are fourth overall in the Majors, and 72 runs scored tie him for second-most in the Majors. Freeman also leads the Majors in doubles with 31 and is one of only two infielders in the Bigs with a 1.000 fielding percentage (San Diego’s Jake Cronenworth being the other). It’s no wonder he’s been such a force at the top of the L.A. lineup since coming over from the Braves.
2nd Baseman: Luis Arraez, #3, Miami Marlins (2-Time All Star, 1st Start)
.383 AVG/.434 OBP/.471 SLG, 3 HR, 42 RBI
Last year’s AL batting champion with the Twins has been one of the marquee stories of the year, with his Major League-leading average hovering near or above the hallowed .400 mark until recently. He also leads the Majors in on-base percentage and base hits (126). And his already impressive slash line jumps to .462/.538/.569 with runners in scoring position. Defensively, his .994 fielding percentage is tops among all Major League 2nd basemen.
Arraez is the second consecutive Marlins 2nd baseman to win the fan vote. Last year it was Jazz Chisholm Jr. who got the nod, but the first Bahamian All-Star in MLB history didn’t play due to injury. Chisholm moved to center field to accommodate Miami’s acquisition of Arraez.
Arraez's skill at the top of the lineup has been a big reason why the Fish currently hold the top spot in the NL Wild Card standings, as well as proving that the traditional leadoff hitter isn’t completely obsolete.
Shortstop: Orlando Arcia, #11, Atlanta Braves (1st-Time All-Star)
.294 AVG/.325 OBP/.434 SLG, 7 HR, 28 RBI
The expectation going into Spring Training was that Vaughn Grissom was the favorite to win the starting job at short for the Braves, but manager Brian Snitker decided to give the veteran Arcia the job based on his defensive ability. Arcia has made Snitker look wise, displaying his skill not just with the leather, but with the ashwood as well.
Arcia has delivered in the clutch for the Bravos, with a .360/.448/.600 slash line in late/close game situations (seventh inning or later with hitting team leading by one, tied, or having the tying run on base, at bat, or on deck), and has hit .295 with 20 RBIs with RISP; putting him on the path towards NL Comeback Player of the Year.
3rd Baseman: Nolan Arenado, #28, St. Louis Cardinals (8-Time All-Star, 5th Start)
.283 AVG/.332 OBP/.518 SLG, 19 HR, 62 RBI
The best 3rd baseman of the past decade has continued to perform well in a season where the Cards have not. Arenado is tied for third in the NL in runs batted in, and leads all NL 3rd basemen in RBI and slugging percentage. Arenado still has plenty of star power left in him, and he’s still capable of highlight reel plays at the hot corner.
Outfielders:
Ronald Acuña Jr., #13, Atlanta Braves (NL Leading Vote-Getter, 3-Time All-Star, 3rd Start)
.331 AVG/.408 OBP/.582 SLG, 21 HR, 55 RBI
Acuña has been at the forefront of the franchise since he won NL Rookie of the Year in 2018, and he has continued to be the catalyst of Atlanta's offense. He comes into the All-Star Break having reached base safely in 26 of his last 27 games, leads the Majors with 79 runs scored, and his 41 stolen bases, 209 total bases, .582 SLG, and .990 OPS are all tops in the National League, plus he stands second in the NL behind Arraez with 119 hits. And you do NOT want to face him in clutch time, as he has a .412/.459/.588 slash line in late/close game situations and a .330/.393/.500 slash line in the seventh inning or later.
To top it off, Acuña leads all pure position players with a 5.1 wins above replacement (WAR) rating. If it weren’t for the fact that his entire team has performed so well, Acuña could be a runaway for NL MVP; and he’ll definitely be one of the favorites in the voting.
Mookie Betts, #50, Los Angeles Dodgers (7-Time All-Star, 5th Start)
.276 AVG/.379 OBP/.586 SLG, 26 HR, 62 RBI
Betts has provided his usual pop at the top of the lineup, leading the NL with 50 extra base hits. His 26 home runs are tied for 2nd in the NL, with 10 bombs coming as the first batter of a game for L.A., plus he’s second behind Acuña in OPS and leads all NL outfielders in RBI. But Betts has also provided defensive versatility; something highly valued by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. In addition to playing 63 games at his usual right field spot, Betts has played 19 games at 2nd base. He’s even played 15 games at shortstop this season, the first time he’s ever played short in his Major League career.
Corbin Carroll, #7, Arizona Diamondbacks (1st-Time All-Star)
.289 AVG/.366 OBP/.549 SLG, 18 HR, 48 RBI
The Snakes have been one of the surprise teams of the majors this season, entering the All-Star Break tied for the lead in the NL West; and the frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year is a big reason why. Carroll ranks tied for ninth in the Majors in runs scored (63), seventh in OPS (.915), and fifth in stolen bases (26). His 20 two-baggers are tied for tops among all qualified rookies, his 18 four-baggers lead all NL rookies, his 48 RBIs are third-best among first-year Major Leaguers, and no first-year player has a higher OPS. Plus, Carroll’s 92.9% stolen base success rate is the best of any All-Star this year.
Designated Hitter: J.D. Martinez, #28, Los Angeles Dodgers (5-Time All-Star, 3rd Start)
.255 AVG/.303 OBP/.570 SLG, 22 HR, 62 RBI
The Mad Scientist, as he's referred to by MLB The Show and ESPN Radio color commentator Chris Singleton, has stayed in productive form in his first season in Dodger Blue. He’s tied with Betts for the Dodgers lead in RBI, and leads all qualified NL DHs in RBI, SLG, and OPS. A lot of stats say other players might deserve the nod over J.D., but Dodger fans can never be counted out when it comes to All-Star voting.
Pitcher: Zac Gallen, #23, Arizona Diamondbacks (1st-Time All-Star)
11-3, 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .226 OAA, 125K
Gallen has been a big reason why the D-Backs have slithered to the NL West lead. Leading the NL in WHIP (walks & hits per innings pitched) ratio, tied for the NL lead in wins, third in the NL and leader of all All-Stars in innings pitched (118 ⅓), and sixth in the NL in strikeouts, Gallen has been an all-around ace for Arizona. And he loves taking the mound at Chase Field; in 10 starts Gallen is 9-0 with a 1.48 ERA, the best home record and ERA in the Majors. With numbers like these, it's little surprise Gallen was chosen by NL skipper Rob Thomson to take the ball for the NL.
Batting Order
RF Ronald Acuña Jr. R
1B Freddie Freeman L
CF Mookie Betts R
DH J.D. Martinez R
3B Nolan Arenado R
2B Luis Arraez L
C Sean Murphy R
LF Corbin Carroll L
SS Orlando Arcia R
Reserve Position Players:
SS Geraldo Perdomo, #2, Arizona Diamondbacks (1st-Time All-Star)
.271 AVG/.378 OBP/.409 SLG, 5 HR, 33 RBI
Perdomo is the Diamondbacks team leader in OBP and walks drawn (37), and has a .990 fielding percentage, the best among all Major Leaguers at the pivot.
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., #12, Arizona Diamondbacks (1st-Time All-Star)
.263 AVG/.316 OBP/.493 SLG, 15 HR, 54 RBI
Gurriel has been a steady presence in Arizona’s lineup, second on the team in RBI and doubles and tied with Perdomo for fourth-most Snake runs scored, but other outfielders have had more impressive numbers. Perhaps Gurriel’s ability to hit in the clutch was the deciding factor in giving him the nod over players like San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr. or Washington’s Lane Thomas. Gurriel leads Arizona with 24 hits and 42 RBI with runners in scoring position, and is slashing .276/.312/.598 in those situations. And in the seventh inning or later, Gurriel has slashed .299/.330/.526 with 29 hits and 16 RBI.
2B Ozzie Albies, #1, Atlanta Braves (4-Time All-Star)
.262 AVG/.316 OBP/.510 SLG, 22 HR, 63 RBI
Albies leads all Major League 2nd basemen and all switch-hitters in home runs and RBI, and is second in the Senior Circuit overall in the latter category.
3B Austin Riley, #27, Atlanta Braves (2-Time All-Star)
.266 AVG/.327 OBP/.448 SLG, 16 HR, 44 RBI
Riley is tied with Arenado for the NL lead in hits by a 3rd baseman, and has scored the second-most runs in the NL from the hot corner. He also leads the NL in assists by a third baseman with 164.
1B Matt Olson, #28, Atlanta Braves (2-Time All-Star)
.254 AVG/.358 OBP/.569 SLG, 29 HR, 72 RBI
Whatever Braves third base coach and infield coordinator Ron Washington teaches his infielders needs to be written down and taught at all levels of baseball, because not only has the ENTIRE Braves regular starting infield made this year's NL All-Star team, but two former Braves infielders made the roster as well.
Olson lost out on the starting job to ex-Brave Freeman, but is leading the pack in the NL in home runs and runs batted in, and is sixth in the Majors in slugging and fifth in OPS. He also holds the NL lead and is tied for the Major League lead with 11 bombs in the seventh inning or later.
SS Dansby Swanson, #7, Chicago Cubs (3-Time All-Star)- Injury, will not play
.256 AVG/.343 OBP/.401 SLG, 9 HR, 35 RBI
Speaking of former Braves infielders, Swanson gets his first All-Star nod for the Northsiders where he leads all NL shortstops in OBP and is second among NL shortstops in base hits (84, behind Phillies shortstop Trea Turner’s 91) and OPS (.752, behind the .798 of the Mets’ Francisco Lindor). But a heel injury will keep him off the NL active roster, so he'll spend All-Star Week catching up with his old teammates.
C Elías Diaz, #35, Colorado Rockies (1st-Time All-Star)
.277 AVG/.328 OBP/.435 SLG, 9 HR, 45 RBI
The veteran backstop is the first Rockies catcher to be named to the NL All-Star team in franchise history. His defensive skill has shone through as it always has, where he’s tied for the NL lead alongside Arizona’s Gabriel Moreno and Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto with 15 base runners thrown out attempting to steal; six of those being part of strike-‘em-out-throw-’em-out double plays. With the bat, Diaz leads NL catchers in hits (77).
C Will Smith, #16, Los Angeles Dodgers (1st-Time All-Star)
.279 AVG/.396 OBP/.494 SLG, 14 HR, 46 RBI
Smith leads all catchers in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and of course OPS; and is sixth in the Majors overall in OBP, just decimal points ahead of teammate Freeman. Smith also leads all NL backstops in home runs, RBI, and walks (44), leads all NL catchers and is tied for the Major League catchers’ lead in runs scored (44), and leads all NL All-Star catchers with a .998 fielding percentage.
DH Jorge Soler, #12, Miami Marlins (1st-Time All-Star)
.254 AVG/.350 OBP/.527 SLG, 23 HR, 51 RBI
The 2019 AL home run champion and 2021 World Series MVP has been a big bat for Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. Soler is tied for fourth in the NL and tied for sixth in the Majors in homers, and his .877 OPS is second among all qualified DHs.
1B Pete Alonso, #20, New York Mets (3-Time All-Star)
.211 AVG/.310 OBP/.497 SLG, 26 HR, 61 RBI
The Polar Bear just keeps on producing. In a season where the Mets are drastically performing below their MLB-record pay grade, Alonso's power has been one of the few things Mets manager Buck Showalter can rely on.
Seven of Alonso’s 26 home runs have come with runners in scoring position, and 11 have been hit in the seventh inning or later. Alonso may have more strikeouts (74) than he does base hits (64), but in today’s baseball where “Three True Outcome” sluggers get nine-figure contracts, that’s to be expected.
RF Nick Castellanos, #8, Philadelphia Phillies (2-Time All-Star)
.301/.344/.496, 13 HR, 5 RBI
While most of the reigning NL champs have failed to meet expectations, Castellanos has exceeded them. His .301 average is fifth in the Majors among qualified outfielders and his 104 base hits stand tied for sixth overall in the Majors. And surprisingly for someone considered a defensive liability, Castellanos is one of 19 outfielders (five of them All-Stars) with a 1.000 fielding percentage. After a bad first year at Citizens Bank Park, in which Castellanos admitted he hadn’t been comfortable, Castellanos has regained his consistency.
LF Juan Soto, #22, San Diego Padres (3-Time All-Star)
.265 AVG/.419 OBP/.479 SLG, 15 HR, 47 RBI
Soto shook off a slow start to post the best OBP of anyone not named Luis Arraez; in no small part due to leading the Majors with 83 bases on balls. In fact, Soto has more walks than he has hits (82). The highest payroll in Padres history has mostly not been earning their keep, but Soto has been worth every penny.
Pitching Staff:
RHS Bryce Elder, #55, Atlanta Braves (1st-Time All-Star)- Usage Concerns, will not play
7-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .226 OAA, 80 K
Elder has been a most pleasant surprise in his sophomore year for Atlanta, with the fifth-best ERA in the National League and the fourth-best OAA (opponent’s average against) with runners in scoring position. The Braves are 13-5 when Elder gets the ball, and 9-2 when he turns in a quality start. (6 innings pitched or more, 3 earned runs or fewer allowed) But since Elder started the day before the break, he will not be on the NL active roster for the All-Star Game.
RHS Spencer Strider, #99, Atlanta Braves (1st-Time All-Star)- Usage Concerns, will not play.
11-2, 3.44 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .206 OAA, 166 K
Strider, Elder, and their fellow starters Charlie Morton and Max Fried have Braves fans making comparisons to the Greg Maddux-John Smoltz-Tom Glavine-Steve Avery/Denny Neagle/Kevin Millwood-led rotations that helped the Braves reel off 14 consecutive division titles from 1991-2005. Strider has shown no signs of a sophomore slump after finishing 2nd in the NL Rookie of the Year race to teammate Michael Harris II.
“Silver Strider” leads the majors in punchies and strikeouts per 9 innings (14.27) and is tied for the Major League lead in wins. Plus, the Braves are 16-2 when Strider takes the mound, giving him 6.79 runs of support per 27 outs. Between their offense and their rotation, Atlanta looks like extending their current division title streak to six is going to be a cakewalk. But even though Tuesday would be Strider's bullpen day, Brian Snitker is not going to risk having either of his starters available to NL East rival manager Rob Thomson.
RHS Marcus Stroman, #0, Chicago Cubs (2-Time All-Star)- Usage Concerns, will not play
9-6, 2.96 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .205 OAA, 98K
This is Stroman’s first All-Star selection since 2019 for Toronto. Stroman’s OAA trails only Blake Snell of the Padres for the NL lead, and stands fourth-best in the majors. He stands tied for eighth in the Majors in wins and eleventh in ERA, and is also tied for sixth in the Senior Circuit in innings pitched (112 ⅔) and WHIP. But Stroman has decided to opt out, saying he needs to recharge.
LHS Justin Steele, #35, Chicago Cubs (1st-Time All-Star)
9-2, 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .230 OAA, 81 K
When you have two pitchers in the top 15 in ERA, chances are your team ERA is going to be pretty good. Steele’s 2.43 ERA is the second-best in the Majors and the Cubs’ rotation’s 4.01 ERA is good for fourth-best in the NL. Steele’s WHIP ratio is third-best of all NL starters, as well, and he’s given up the fewest earned runs (26) of all qualified starters and the second-fewest home runs (4) of any All-Star starter.
RHC Alexis Diaz, #43, Cincinnati Reds (1st-Time All-Star)
3-1, 26 SV/27 SVO, 2.03 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .159 OAA, 61 K
Brother of Mets closer Edwin Diaz, Alexis has proven himself to be an excellent closer in his own right; converting a higher percentage of his save chances (95.8%) than any of the other NL All-Star closers.
There had been rumors of the Mets acquiring Alexis to fill in for his injured brother, but considering the Mets' struggles and the fact that the Redlegs lead the NL Central, it's safe to say those rumors are as good as squashed. In fact, it's rather surprising that Diaz is Cincinnati's only All-Star.
LHS Clayton Kershaw, #22, Los Angeles Dodgers (10-Time All-Star)- Injury, will not play
10-4, 2.55 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .216 OAA, 105 K
Simply put, Clayton Kershaw is still pitching like Clayton Kershaw. The NL ERA leader’s tenth All-Star selection makes him the active leader among pitchers and ties Pee Wee Reese for the all-time Dodgers record. Kershaw has given up the second fewest earned runs (27) in all of baseball and is tied for third in the NL with Philadelphia’s Taijuan Walker in wins.
Kershaw got the ball for the NL at Dodger Stadium last year, and had a good chance to do so again this year, but will not play due to a sore shoulder.
RHC Devin Williams, #38, Milwaukee Brewers (2-Time All-Star)- Usage Concerns, will not play
4-2 20 SV/22 SVO, 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .147 OAA, 45 K
Williams won the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and NL Reliever of the Year awards in a setup role for the Brew Crew with a miraculous 0.33 ERA in 22 outings. Williams learned under Josh Hader, with the expectation they'd be the 1-2 punch at the back end of manager Craig Counsell's bullpen for years to come. But Hader's struggles caused Milwaukee to trigger a deal to send him to the Padres, and Williams was the understudy no more.
Williams has 4 wins this year along with his 20 saves. He's earned the save in 10 of his last 13 appearances. But having pitched in five of the last seven games for the Brewers led to Counsell pulling him from the NL active roster. Milwaukee will have another hurler available for Rob Thomson, though.
RHS Corbin Burnes, #39, Milwaukee Brewers (3-Time All-Star)
7-5, 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .211 OAA, 102 K
The ace of the Milwaukee rotation slides in as Atlanta's top two hurlers are pulled out. Burnes has been solid for the Brew Crew, leading the team in innings pitched (107 ⅓) and his OAA is tied for ninth in the Majors.
RHS Kodai Senga, #34, New York Mets (1st-Time All-Star)
7-5, 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .204 OAA, 113 K
Senga has proven to be yet another Nippon Professional Baseball talent whose skills play on any continent. His OAA is the best among NL starters and would be fourth-best in the majors if he had enough innings to qualify.
RHC Craig Kimbrel, #31, Philadelphia Phillies (9-Time All-Star)
5-1, 14 SV/14 SVO, 3.41 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, .171 OAA, 57 K
The Phillies didn't have anyone locked into the closer's role at the start of the season, taking a bullpen by committee approach. The veteran Kimbrel has seized the stopper's role, becoming the eighth pitcher in MLB history (and according to some baseball analysts, possibly the last) to earn 400 saves in his career on May 26 and earning NL Reliever of the Month honors for June, giving up only one run over 13 outings on the month. His five wins lead all bullpen arms in the Mid-Summer Classic, and he’s one of two All-Star closers (both late additions) who have a 100% save opportunity conversion rate so far this season.
RHS Mitch Keller, #23, Pittsburgh Pirates (1st-Time All-Star)
9-4, 3.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .220 OAA, 129 K
The Pirates started the season 20-8, securing a contract extension for manager Derek Shelton in the process. Since then Pittsburgh has come upon stormy seas, currently eight games under .500, but Keller's sailing has been smoother than some of his mateys.
Keller has the eighth-best WHIP and the fourth-most innings pitched (117) in the NL, and 13 of his 19 outings have been quality starts. When Keller turns in a QS, the Buccos are 8-5.
Keller had only 12 wins in his career going into this season. All indications point towards him at least matching that in 2023 alone.
RHC David Bednar, #51, Pittsburgh Pirates (2-Time All-Star)
3-1, 17 SV/18 SVO, 1.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, .208 OAA, 42 K
As strong as Keller has been at starting games for the Black and Gold, Bednar has been at finishing them. Bednar’s WHIP is the best among NL All-Star closers and he's only surrendered nine runs, five earned, all season.
Pirates fans' hearts have sunk like rocks after the team's hot start, but when Bednar comes on they can have confidence that the Jolly Roger will indeed be raised.
LHC Josh Hader, #71, San Diego Padres (4-Time All-Star)
0-1, 21 SV/24 SVO, 1.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .133 OAA, 50 K
The man Williams succeeded as Brewers closer gets his first All-Star nod with the Friars. As it turns out, rumors of Hader's pitching demise were slightly exaggerated, as Hader has only given up 5 runs (4 ER) in 33 ⅓ innings pitched.
His opponent’s average against is tops among all All-Star closers as well, so Haderade isn't going out of style just yet.
RHS Alex Cobb, #38, San Francisco Giants (1st-Time All-Star)
6-2, 2.91 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, .277 OAA, 86 K
Cobb missed some time in June to injury, but has been solid all season for San Fran. His ERA would be fourth-best in the NL if he had enough innings to qualify. Cobb has also only given up six home runs, equalling the mark of qualifiers Stroman and Jack Flaherty of the Cardinals for second-fewest among NL starters.
RHC Camilo Doval, #75, San Francisco Giants (1st-Time All-Star)
2-3, 26 SV/28 SVO, 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .179 OAA, 57 K
San Francisco’s stopper has shown many flashes of brilliance over the past few seasons, and now the NL and Major League saves co-leader gets his first All-Star nod.
RHS Josiah Gray, #40, Washington Nationals (1st-Time All-Star)
6-7, 3.41 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .253 OAA, 92 K
The key piece of the haul Washington received in the 2021 Max Scherzer-Trea Turner deal with the Dodgers gets the All-Star nod for the struggling Nats. Gray has shown signs of promise this season, but it can be argued that San Diego’s Blake Snell is more deserving of the nod, being the only NL starter with a sub-3.00 ERA not to get the invite. But Gray has done well at pitching from the stretch, with opponents hitting only .203 against Gray with runners on and .198 with runners in scoring position. Perhaps the Commissioner's Office figured this was Washington’s best example of turning chicken scratch into chicken salad.
American League
Manager: Dusty Baker, #12, Houston Astros
Manager Added to Coaching Staff: Scott Servais, #9, Seattle Mariners
Honorary Coach: Billy North, #4, Oakland Athletics (Seattle Native)
Athletic Trainers:
Mike Frostad, Los Angeles Angels
Kyle Torgerson, Seattle Mariners
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Kiyoshi Momose, Boston Red Sox
Starters:
Catcher: Jonah Heim, #28, Texas Rangers (1st-Time All-Star)
.282 AVG/.338 OBP/.474 SLG, 12 HR, 59 RBI
One of four Rangers voted into the AL starting lineup, the switch-hitting backstop barely beat out Baltimore's Adley Rutschman in the final vote for the starting nod, becoming the first Rangers catcher to start in the All-Star game since Mike Napoli in 2012. Before that? The last of nine consecutive starts by Hall of Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez in 2001, which happens to be the last time the All-Star Game was held in Seattle.
Heim has knocked in the most runs and scored the third-most runs (43) of any catcher, his .718 slugging percentage with runners in scoring position is tied with J.D. Martinez for the best of anyone in baseball, and his 51 RBI in those situations is tied with Cleveland’s Josh Naylor for second-most in the Majors. His clutch production is a major reason why the Rangers lead baseball with 531 runs scored this season.
1st Baseman: Yandy Diaz, #2, Tampa Bay Rays (1st-Time All-Star)
.323 AVG/.408 OBP/.515 SLG, 13 HR, 43 RBI
Conventional wisdom states that 1st basemen don’t usually hit leadoff. But the Tampa Bay Rays tend to throw conventional wisdom out the window- and considering they have the best record in the AL, they tend to look like geniuses doing so.
Diaz leads the AL in batting average and on-base percentage and leads AL 1st basemen in runs scored. Sounds like what a leadoff hitter should do, right? Unconventional convention, perhaps?
2nd Baseman: Marcus Semien, #2, Texas Rangers (2-Time All-Star, 2nd Start)
.271 AVG/.338 OBP/.438 SLG, 11 HR, 56 RBI
Semien has been a reliable play for fantasy managers over the past few seasons and has proven so again this year; playing in all 91 games for Texas to this point of the season and leading the AL in runs scored (70) and all AL 2nd basemen in base hits (104), on-base percentage, and runs batted in. Semien also leads the Majors in turning double plays, participating in 63 twin killings. And like seemingly the entire Rangers lineup, Semien delivers with runners in scoring position; slashing .341/.380/.500 in those situations.
Shortstop: Corey Seager, #5, Texas Rangers (4-Time All-Star, 3rd Start)
.353 AVG/.413 OBP/.613 SLG, 12 HR, 52 RBI
Semien and Seager were the Rangers’ big acquisitions in Free Agency 2021-22, and the 2020 World Series MVP has become an All-Star fixture and an RBI machine. Though he’s only played 59 games this season, Seager’s slash line would dominate all other shortstops if he qualified. And Seager has a whopping .444 batting average and a 1.400 OPS percentage with RISP. (Yes, you read that right.) Oh, and Seager enters the break having reached base safely in 27 of his last 28 games.
Seager might be looking to show out in front of his brother, former Mariners 3rd baseman Kyle Seager, who will likely be in attendance that night.
3rd Baseman: Josh Jung, #6, Texas Rangers (1st-Time All-Star)
.270 AVG/.323 OBP/.487 SLG, 17 HR, 50 RBI
Veteran infielders haven't been the only ones Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has been able to count on. The AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner has come up big time for the Rangers, leading all AL 3rd basemen and all AL rookies in runs scored with 62, and leading all first-year players in homers, RBIs, and hits (97). Plus, Jung’s .987 fielding percentage and 187 assists are the best in the Majors at the hot corner.
And does he deliver with runners in scoring position? Well, maybe not to the degree of his veteran teammates, but .272/.356/.408 in those situations is still pretty good.
Outfielders:
Mike Trout, #27, Los Angeles Angels (11-Time All-Star, 10th Start)- Injury, will not play
.263 AVG/.369 OBP/.493 SLG, 18 HR, 44 RBI
Another year, another All-Star nod for the Big Fish, who has been voted into the starting lineup for the tenth straight time. But also another All-Star game missed due to injury for Jersey Mike, as he was placed on the IL Tuesday with a broken left hamate bone. At this point, it's starting to look like Trout's career will be another story in MLB's anthology of "What Could Have Been Had He Not Been Injury-Prone".
Aaron Judge, #99, New York Yankees (5-Time All-Star, 4th Start)- Injury, will not play
.291 AVG/.404 OBP/.674 SLG, 19 HR, 40 RBI
After his AL-record 62 home runs last season, the Yankees broke the bank (as they tend to do) to keep Judge in pinstripes for life.
And the new Yankees captain did indeed provide the power for the Bronx Bombers, to the tune of a would-be Major League-leading 1.078 OPS- until he tore a ligament in his foot crashing into the Dodger Stadium bullpen gate while making a spectacular catch on June 3. As a result, Judge has been on the injured list ever since with no set date for a return, and will not be able to participate in Seattle.
Randy Arozarena, #56, Tampa Bay Rays (1st-Time All-Star)
.279 AVG/.388 OBP/.467 SLG, 16 HR, 58 RBI
The former AL Rookie of the Year and ALCS MVP showed out for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic back in March and has continued to do so for the Rays; ranking third in RBI and OBP, fifth in walks drawn, tenth in OPS and runs scored, and tied for tenth in home runs among all qualified outfielders. Plus Arozarena leads the AL with 33 hits with runners in scoring position. Tampa has never really had the capacity to break the bank, but it might be worth trying to keep Arozarena around.
Adólis Garcia, #53, Texas Rangers (2-Time All-Star, 1st start)- Elevated to starting lineup due to injuries to Judge and Trout
.261 AVG/.331 OBP/.517 SLG, 23 HR, 75 RBI
Considering Garcia leads the Majors in RBI and outfield assists (10), he was an easy choice to be elevated to the starting lineup. This gives the Rangers five starters, something no team has had since the 1976 Big Red Machine.
And how well does he do with runners in scoring position, you ask?. A .298/.347/.587 slash line is pretty darn serviceable. Plus 26 of his 91 hits, including seven of his home runs, and 25 of his RBIs have come in the seventh inning or later.
Austin Hays, #21, Baltimore Orioles (1st-Time All-Star)- Elevated to starting lineup due to injuries to Judge and Trout
.314 AVG/.345 OBP/.498 SLG, 9 HR, 36 RBI
Hays has been a key cog at the top of the lineup for O's manager Brandon Hyde, and is having the best season of his career; ranking second among all AL qualified outfielders in batting average and leading the entire AL by hitting .389 in the seventh inning or later. And in 36 at-bats in late/close game situations Hays is hitting .500 and slugging .833. He’s also one of the All-Star outfielders with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Hays has been a major reason why Baltimore currently holds the top spot in the AL Wild Card standings.
Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, #17, Los Angeles Angels (AL Leading Vote-Getter, 3-Time All-Star, 3rd Start; also selected as a pitcher)
.302 AVG/.387 OBP/.663 SLG, 32 HR, 71 RBI;
7-4, 3.32 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, .189 OAA, 132 K
It's a contract year for The Japanese Babe Ruth, and whether Sho Time will continue in Anaheim after this season will depend heavily on how much of a playoff push the Halos make. And thanks to the injuries to Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendón, it's safe to say Angels GM Perry Minasian has a LOT to think about before the trade deadline.
But Ohtani has continued to dominate at the plate and on the mound in ways not even The Babe had. Need proof? Ohtani’s performance against the White Sox on June 28 was the first time a player had reached base safely 4 times, hit multiple home runs, and had double-digit strikeouts on the mound in a single game since Happy Jack Stivetts did it for the St. Louis Browns (who would eventually become today’s Baltimore Orioles) on June 10, 1890.
Yeah, you read that right. 1890. The Bambino wasn’t even born until 1895.
Ohtani leads the Big Leagues in home runs, triples, slugging, OPS, extra base hits, total bases, opponent’s average against, and hits per nine innings pitched; and his two-way success yields him a league-best 6.5 WAR rating.
It would have been interesting to see Dusty Baker put the “Ohtani Rule” in play and give Ohtani the start on the mound as well as at DH like in his All-Star debut in 2021, but Ohtani said he doesn't expect to pitch in the Mid-Summer Classic due to blisters on his pitching hand.
Pitcher: RH Gerrit Cole, #45, New York Yankees (6-Time All-Star, 1st Start)
9-2, 2.85 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .225 OAA, 123 K
Cole has been an All-Star for three different teams and is back for his 5th-straight Mid-Summer Classic, but this will be the first time Cole will throw the first pitch of the game for the AL.
Cole has continued to be a steady high-performance starter for the Yanks. His 3.8 WAR rating is the best among pure pitchers, his .818 win percentage is tied for fourth-best in the Majors. And when the opponent has runners in scoring position, Cole locks in, with 29 strikeouts, an 0.81 WHIP, and a .186 average against. Some people may think AL skipper Dusty Baker is playing favorites giving the former Astro the ball, but Cole is as solid a starter as they come in the Majors.
Batting Order
2B Marcus Semien R
DH Shohei Ohtani L
LF Randy Arozarena R
SS Corey Seager L
1B Yandy Diaz R
RF Adólis Garcia R
CF Austin Hays R
3B Josh Jung R
C Jonah Heim S
Reserve Position Players
C Adley Rutschman, #35, Baltimore Orioles (1st-Time All-Star)
.273 AVG/.376 OBP/.423 SLG, 12 HR, 39 RBI
While his teammate Hays’s career is starting to heat up, Rutschman’s career started hot and continues to burn. He leads all catchers in hits (89), walks (55), and OBP. His 44 runs scored are one ahead of Heim for the AL lead, and tied with Smith for the Major League lead.
CF Luis Robert Jr., #88, Chicago White Sox (1st-Time All-Star)
.271 AVG/.330 OBP/.569 SLG, 26 HR, 51 RBI
There are plenty of uncertainties on the South Side. Luis Robert Jr. is not one of them.
With the most homers and extra base hits in the AL of anyone not named Ohtani, Robert’s .899 OPS is third in the AL and ninth in the Majors. Robert is also tied for second in the AL alongside Cleveland’s Steven Kwan and Myles Straw with 15 hits in late/close game situations, three behind Hays; plus his slugging percentage leads all AL outfielders.
3B Jose Ramirez, #11, Cleveland Guardians (5-Time All-Star)
.289 AVG/.364 OBP/.506 SLG, 14 HR, 53 RBI
J-Ram continues to deliver for The Land, leading all 3rd basemen in AVG, and ranking second in OBP, SLG, and OPS. His 97 hits are tied with Jung for most among 3rd basemen while also tops among switch-hitters, and he leads the Majors with 12 intentional walks.
RF Kyle Tucker, #30, Houston Astros (2-Time All-Star)
.288 AVG/.365 OBP/.471 SLG, 13 HR, 56 RBI
Tucker may be a late addition, as he was last year, but he’s been a power threat and a run producer for Houston for years. Standing fourth among all qualified outfielders in RBIs and tied for seventh in base hits, Dusty Baker has to be glad he can bring one of his big guns to the All-Star Game.
LF Yórdan Alvarez, #44, Houston Astros (2-Time All-Star)- Injury, will not play
.277 AVG/.388 OBP/.589 SLG, 17 HR, 55 RBI
Air Yórdan has been a key piece in the lineup of the defending World Series Champions and his .977 OPS would be third-best in the Majors if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. But Alvarez has been dealing with an oblique strain since mid-June, so Dusty Baker will be without the services of his big bopper in Seattle.
C Salvador Pérez, #13, Kansas City Royals (8-Time All-Star)
.246 AVG/.289 OBP/.435 SLG, 15 HR, 40 RBI
The 2015 World Series MVP has been the face of the franchise in KC for nearly a decade, and was the AL All-Star starting backstop for 6 consecutive years (2013-2018). In fact, Salvy is the only catcher in this year’s game with previous All-Star experience.
Pérez’s 15 home runs and .998 fielding percentage is tops among AL catchers. But the Royals are in the basement in the worst division in baseball, where the division-leading Guardians only have a .500 record. And since Pérez’s postseason experience and ability to handle a pitching staff may be in high demand at the trade deadline, Royals GM J.J. Picollo would be foolish not to listen to offers.
DH Brent Rooker, #25, Oakland Athletics (1st-Time All-Star)
.246 AVG/.341 OBP/.485 SLG, 16 HR, 44 RBI
Rooker’s hot start to the season, where he hit .358 with a 1.262 OPS, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 24 hits, 14 walks, and 14 runs scored in April is one of the few bright spots this season for the Rebuildin’ (read: Tankin’-For-the-Sake-of-Relocatin’) A’s.
CF Julio Rodriguez, #44, Seattle Mariners (2-Time All-Star)
.244 AVG/.310 OBP/.411 SLG, 13 HR, 49 RBI
The J-Rod Show will indeed go on, as Alvarez's injury allows last year's AL Rookie of the Year to not only try for the Home Run Derby crown on his home turf after falling just short in the finals last season, but participate in the Mid-Summer Classic in front of the T-Mobile Park faithful as well. Rodriguez’s 91 base hits place him six behind Robert for the Major League lead among center fielders, and he stands in the top 15 among outfielders in hits, RBI, and runs scored.
SS Wandér Franco, #5, Tampa Bay Rays (1st-Time All-Star)
.278 AVG/.358 OBP/.459 SLG, 11 HR, 44 RBI
Franco has been on fire in the two-hole for Tampa, and his 28 stolen bases are tops among the AL All-Stars and third in the Majors. He also leads all shortstops with 228 assists, and leads all AL shortstops with 49 double plays turned. Franco is also tied with Diaz for the team lead in hits in the seventh inning or later (28).
SS Bo Bichette, #11, Toronto Blue Jays (2-Time All-Star)- Injury, will not play
.317 AVG/.346 OBP /.496 SLG, 15 HR, 51 RBI
Bichette falls just behind Yandy Diaz for the AL batting lead, but does hold the AL lead in hits (113), five behind Arraez for the Major League lead. Bo also leads all AL shortstops in home runs and RBI, behind only Francisco Lindor of the Mets for the top spot in the Majors at the pivot on both fronts. And Bichette is also tied for the Major League lead in hits in the seventh inning or later. It’s a shame he’ll miss the game due to injury.
2B Whit Merrifield, #15, Toronto Blue Jays (3-Time All-Star)
.286 AVG/.342 OBP/.392 SLG, 5 HR, 38 RBI
This is Merrifield’s first All-Star appearance as a Blue Jay, his first two came for Kansas City. Merrifield’s role in a lineup can be summed up in five words: Get on and take off. His 18 stolen bases are the second-most amongst the AL All-Stars.
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., #27, Toronto Blue Jays (3-Time All-Star)
.274 AVG/.344 OBP/.443 SLG, 13 HR, 58 RBI
Three Ranger infielders in the starting lineup, three Blue Jay infielders on the bench. Vladito’s 94 hits are two behind Yandy Diaz and the Rangers’ Nathaniel Lowe (the only Rangers infielder to not get an All-Star invite) for the lead among AL first basemen. Plus, we all know how capable he is of absolutely obliterating a baseball; just look at his record-breaking performance in the 2019 Home Run Derby and the moonshot he hit at Coors Field in the 2021 All-Star Game where he won MVP.
Pitching Staff
RHC Felix Bautista, #74, Baltimore Orioles (1st-Time All-Star)
4-1, 23 SV/28 SVO, 1.07 ERA, 0.93 WHIP .138 OAA, 84 K
Bautista does have 5 blown saves, but considering his 4-1 record when he does give up the tying run every so often, he'll bear down and give the O’s a chance to win if he does. Like Bednar, Bautista has only surrendered nine runs, five earned, all season.
Bautista leads all All-Star relievers in strikeouts as well, which is definitely in the cards with a low 90s slider and splitter and a heater that can get up to 103.
RHR Yennier Canó, #78, Baltimore Orioles (1st-Time All-Star)
1-1, 19 HLD, 4 SV/7 SVO, 1.48 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, .212 OAA, 38 K
Canó has been an outstanding setup man this year, and his WHIP ratio surpasses those of the closers making the trip to Seattle. Canó and Bautista are a tough tandem to face in any ballpark.
RHC Kenley Jansen, #74, Boston Red Sox (4-Time All-Star)
2-4, 19 SV/22 SVO, 3.23 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, .246 OAA, 36 K
The fact that all five teams in the AL East are over .500 says something about the quality of play in the division, doesn’t it? The Red Sox are the only team in the division with only one All-Star.
And while many expected Rafael Devers to get the nod, it will be the veteran stopper who will be representing Red Sox Nation.
RHC Emmanuel Clase, #48, Cleveland Guardians (2-Time All-Star)- Paternity List, will not play
1-5, 25 SV/32 SVO, 3.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .228 OAA, 38 K
Clase ranks second in the Junior Circuit and fourth overall in saves and shares the Major League lead in pitching appearances (44) with Atlanta’s A.J. Minter.
Clase does have seven blown saves, the most of any All-Star, but he did strike out the side for the save last year. However Clase has opted out to support his wife as she gives birth to their first child, so he will not get back-to-back All-Star save opportunities.
RHS Michael Lorenzen, #21, Detroit Tigers (1st-Time All-Star)
3-6, 4.03 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .246 OAA, 66 K
Fans may remember Lorenzen as a two-way player for the Reds who hit his first Major League home run in his first game after his father passed away.
The fact that Detroit is only 5.5 games back in the AL Central is bewildering. It’s tough to point out any Tiger and say they were deserving of an All-Star nod, but they had to send somebody. And since the Commissioner’s Office used the Miguel Cabrera Farewell Card to counterbalance the Albert Pujols Farewell Card last year, perhaps Lorenzen’s emotional factor and two-way ability was the idea that stuck.
LHS Framber Valdez, #59, Houston Astros (1st-Time All-Star)- Usage Concerns, will not play
7-6, 2.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .224 OAA, 116 K
The 'Stros must have known what they were doing when they let Justin Verlander walk in free agency and anointed Framber Valdez as their new ace. Valdez has the best ERA in the Majors, but having pitched recently led to AL skipper Dusty Baker pulling his own ace from the AL active roster.
RHC Carlos Estévez, #53, Los Angeles Angels (1st-Time All-Star)
2-1, 21 SV/21 SVO, 1.80 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .228 OAA, 43 K
After many years as a reliable piece of the Rockies' bullpen (at least by Coors Field standards), Estévez's first season with the Halos has been easily his best in the Majors. A perfect rate of save opportunity conversion opens the door for the first All-Star appearance for "Charlie Sheen". (Look it up)
RHS Pablo Lopez, #49, Minnesota Twins (1st-Time All-Star)
5-5, 3.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .220 OAA, 138 K
There are some trades that end up helping both teams involved. Miami and Minnesota made one of those back in January.
The key piece that came from the Marlins in the Luis Arraez deal, Lopez ranks third in the Majors in strikeouts and has the most among active All-Stars, and is on pace to have the best WHIP of his career.
RHS Sonny Gray, #54, Minnesota Twins (3-Time All-Star)
4-2, 2.50 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .232 OAA, 96 K
The Twins are Gray’s third team, and he’s had an All-Star nod for all of them (A’s-2015, Reds-2019). So he must be doing something right. What is that something? Keeping the ball in the ballpark.
Gray has given up only three home runs this season, the fewest of any qualified Major League starting pitcher; which is impressive in a time when three home runs can be a single game’s worth of damage to a starter.
Plus, if he had enough innings to qualify Gray's ERA would be the best of any starter. The Twin Cities have to love what the top of their rotation has done this season, and if he keeps on track Gray may not have to wait until 2027 or another team for an All-Star return.
RHS Luis Castillo, #58, Seattle Mariners (3-Time All-Star)
6-6, 2.85 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .209 OAA, 117 K
The Seattle rotation has plenty of skill and potential, but it’s the veteran Castillo who was the sole representative for the hometown M’s, after making two appearances for Cincinnati, until injuries added two more Mariners to the AL Squad.
Castillo boast the ninth-best ERA, eighth-best WHIP, and seventh-best OAA of all qualified starters. And Castillo is 5-2 with a 2.44 ERA and a .190 opponent's average in front of the T-Mobile Park faithful.
RHS George Kirby, #68, Seattle Mariners (1st-Time All-Star)
8-77, 3.09 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .248 OAA, 89 K
When last year's AL starting pitcher was officially ruled out, the Mariners' young ace-in-the-making got the call. Kirby has an MLB-best 8.9 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, has the second-best WHIP in the AL All-Star rotation, and gives up the fewest walks per nine (0.83) of any qualified starter. And like Castillo, Kirby is 5-2 at home, giving up just over two runs a game in the PNW. (Pacific Northwest, for those not in the know)
LHS Shane McClanahan, #18, Tampa Bay Rays (2-Time All-Star)- Injury, will not play
11-1, 2.53 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .211 OAA, 101 K
McClanahan got the ball in last year's Mid-Summer Classic, and the Rays ace leads the American League in wins and is second in the AL in ERA this season. But McClanahan was placed on the injured list on July 1 due to back tightness, so neither league's starting hurler from last year will be active this year.
RHS Nathan Eovaldi, #17, Texas Rangers (3-Time All Star)
10-3, 2.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .213 OAA, 109 K
Eovaldi has maintained his modus operandi as an innings eater in his first season in Arlington. Not only is Eovaldi the American League leader in innings pitched (117 ⅔), but he’s the only starter in the Majors with multiple complete games. In fact, only four other TEAMS in the Majors (Twins, Yankees, Giants, Mariners) have had a starting pitcher go the distance more than once this season. Eovaldi also holds the best WHIP of any All-Star starter, and bears down with the pressure on; boasting a Major League-best 0.62 WHIP and fourth-best .167 OAA with runners in scoring position.
RHS Kevin Gausman, #34, Toronto Blue Jays (2-Time All Star)- Usage Concerns, will not play
7-5, 3.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .233 OAA, 153 K
Gausman, who warms up to Pink Floyd’s “Money”, has been just that for Toronto this year, leading the AL in strikeouts. But Gausman pitching the Saturday before will keep him off the active roster, so once again he'll have to wait to actually take the mound in an All-Star Game. (Side note: Gausman has to be proud of his alma mater, as LSU players went 1-2 in the MLB Draft on July 9)
RHC Jordan Romano, #68, Toronto Blue Jays (2-Time All-Star)
4-4, 26 SV/29 SVO, 2.87 ERA, 1,12 WHIP, .217 OAA, 48 K
Once again, the Jays' stopper is a last-minute addition to the AL Roster. This time he comes in as the AL leader and Major League co-leader in saves, and holds an 11.47 K/9 IP ratio, the best of all AL All-Star relievers.
Umpires
HP: Todd Tichenor (Crew Chief) (2nd All-Star Game)
1B: Quinn Wolcott (1st All-Star Game)
2B: Tripp Gibson (1st All-Star Game)
3B: Stu Scheurwater (1st All-Star Game)
LF: Ryan Blakney (1st All-Star Game)
RF: Ramon De Jésus (1st All-Star Game)
Replay: Jim Wolf (2nd All-Star Game)
The 93rd MLB All-Star Game will take place July 11 and be aired on FOX Television and ESPN Radio. Coverage will start at 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific.
FOX's announce team will have Joe Davis on play-by-play and John Smoltz as color analyst, with Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci as field-level reporters. The pregame and postgame show will be led by Kevin Burkhardt, who will be joined by Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez.
On ESPN Radio, Jon Sciambi will have play-by-play duties with Doug Glanville joining him as color analyst. Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian will provide field-level reports. Mark Kestecher will host pregame and postgame coverage, joined by Jim Duquette and Trevor May.
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