The calendar has flipped to July, and in the baseball world that means it’s almost time for the highlight of the summer: the Midsummer Classic. The 92nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game is set to take place July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, finally being played at the venue that was originally slated to host the event in 2020, before the festivities were canceled due to the pandemic and the shortened 60-game season.
In the spirit of the All-Star Game, I have selected my picks for the rosters of both the American and National league squads, an exercise that proved to be much more difficult than I anticipated. The AL competition is steep at several positions across the diamond, including shortstop, third base and the always crowded starting pitching field.
A few reminders before we dive into the rosters:
-Each league’s team consists of 32 players: 20 position players, 12 pitchers
-Each MLB team will receive at least one All-Star representative
-In the event of injuries or players choosing to not participate in the game, replacement players will be added by MLB
All stats are through Tuesday, July 5 and are courtesy of Baseball-Reference and Fangraphs unless otherwise noted.
American League Starters
Catcher: Alejandro Kirk- TOR
A fan favorite in Toronto, Kirk has demonstrated an impressive hitting ability in his first full season, hitting .314/.403/.500 with 10 home runs and 40 runs scored. The 23-year old is ninth among AL position players in WAR (3.2).
First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.- TOR
Last season’s All-Star Game MVP and 2021 MVP runner-up is having another strong campaign at age 23. While Guerrero is not on nearly the same pace as his torrid 2021 campaign, Vlad Jr. has still blasted 19 home runs with an 137 OPS+.
Second Base: Jose Altuve- HOU
The seven-time All-Star Altuve is once again delivering a banner season for the first-place Astros, posting his highest OPS since 2019 (.891), while ranking 10th in the AL with 16 home runs.
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts- BOS
In a surprising development, Bogaerts was not voted into the second phase of voting at shortstop, with the fans instead pitting Anderson against Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. Bogaerts would be an easy choice among the three, ranking third in the AL in batting average and fifth in on-base percentage, while posting 3.1 WAR. Curiously, the powerful Bogaerts has hit just seven home runs this season, though he continues to post strong exit velocities.
Third Base: Rafael Devers- BOS
In the most interesting battle in the American League, Devers receives the slight nod over Guardians’ third baseman Jose Ramirez. The 25-year-old has continued his ascent into stardom into 2022, hitting .327/.383/.579 with 17 home runs, 57 runs scored and 3.2 WAR.
Outfield: Aaron Judge- NYY, Mike Trout- LAA, Julio Rodriguez- SEA
Judge will likely enter the All-Star Break as one of the favorites to win the 2022 AL MVP award, leading the league with 29 home runs and 64 runs scored, while sitting second in RBIs and total bases. In his final season before free agency, Judge has propelled the Yankees to the best record in baseball and has put them on pace for over 100 victories in the regular season. The three-time MVP Trout has stayed healthy for the first time since 2019, once again ranking among the league leaders in WAR, OPS and home runs. Trout knows a thing or two about All-Star Games, having notched nine selections and two All-Star game MVP awards. In the third spot, I’ll go with the Mariners rookie sensation in Rodriguez, who just became the fastest player in MLB history to record 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases to begin his career.
Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez- HOU
With all due respect to Angels’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, Alvarez has had the better first half at the plate in Houston, blasting 25 home runs, while slashing .313/.413/.663. Alvarez is a lock to earn his first All-Star nod in 2022, regardless of whether or not he gets the start at designated hitter.
American League Reserves
C Jose Trevino- NYY
Acquired by the Yankees before the start of the season in April, Trevino has been a steadying presence behind the dish for New York’s pitching staff, collecting 2.0 WAR with a 106 OPS+ at the dish.
1B Jose Abreu- CHW
Abreu’s power numbers are down in his age-35 season, but the 2020 AL MVP has continued to produce solid results at the plate for the Sox with a .379 OBP and OPS+ 38 percent above league average.
1B Luis Arraez- MIN
Is Arraez the modern day Rod Carew? The current Twins infielder has channeled the former Twins legend in 2022, leading MLB in both average (.346) and OBP (.419). Arraez’s versatility is also a valuable part of his game, as the 25-year-old has logged appearances at first base, second base, third base and designated hitter.
2B Andres Gimenez- CLE
Acquired from the Mets in the Francisco Lindor trade of 2021, the 23-year-old Gimenez has become a cornerstone of the Guardians’ young lineup this season, posting 3.2 WAR and a 137 OPS+, while also playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at the keystone.
SS Jeremy Pena- HOU
The Astros lost Carlos Correa in free agency last offseason and have somehow improved at the position in 2022 with Pena. The 24-year-old rookie is eighth in the AL in WAR (3.3), has hit for a 128 OPS+ and scored 36 runs as one of the catalysts of the Astros’ elite offense.
SS Tim Anderson- CHW
As I mentioned above, Anderson has not produced an All-Star starter caliber season, but has still been very good in the first half of 2022. The former batting champion has played in just 53 games this season due to a trip to the injured list, but has hit .320 with a 125 OPS+ when healthy.
3B Jose Ramirez- CLE
One of the most powerful sluggers in baseball despite his small stature, Ramirez has turned in another MVP--caliber season in 2022. The 29-year old has posted 3.5 WAR, a 169 OPS+ and 63 RBIs, while also serving as a veteran presence for a very young Guardians team.
OF Kyle Tucker- HOU
One of the most underrated sluggers in the game, Tucker is in line for his first All-Star Game appearance in 2022. Since the beginning of 2021, the 25-year-old has hit for an .889 OPS, with 46 home runs and 28 stolen bases. Tucker could reach the 30-30 plateau in 2022, with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases thus far.
OF Byron Buxton- MIN
One of the most talented players in baseball, Buxton has stayed healthy through the first half of 2022 and should earn his first All-Star Game nod this July. While his batting average and OPS are down, Buxton’s 22 home runs and 2.8 WAR place him among the AL leaders. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see Buxton patrolling the spacious Dodger Stadium outfield with his speed?
OF Andrew Benintendi- KC
A bright spot in an otherwise dim season for the Royals, Benintendi continues to increase his value ahead of free agency this offseason. After winning a Gold Glove last season, Benintendi has hit .313/.381/.398 in the first half. Expect to hear Benintendi’s name floated around a lot leading up to the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline.
DH/SP Shohei Ohtani- LAA
Baseball’s best two-way player since Babe Ruth continues to do transcendent things on a baseball field in 2022. Ohtani has hit for a 137 OPS+ and 18 home runs at the plate, while pitching to a 147 ERA+ with 101 strikeouts on the mound, improving even on his 2021 pitching numbers. Is Ohtani building a case for a second consecutive AL MVP award? He very well may be.
American League Pitchers
SP Shane McClanahan- TB
McClanahan debuted with good success in 2021, even starting Game 1 of the ALDS against the Red Sox, but his stock has exploded in 2022. The left-hander leads the AL in ERA (1.74), strikeouts (133) and WHIP (.0.81), positioning himself as the Cy Young frontrunner through the season’s first half.
SP Kevin Gausman- TOR
The Blue Jays inked Gausman to a five-year, $110 million contract last offseason and the right-hander has delivered in his first season north of the border. Gausman’s 1.68 FIP leads the AL, while his 2.86 ERA ranks ninth.
SP Alek Manoah- TOR
Despite Gausman’s excellence thus far, he may not even be the best starting pitcher on his own team, as Manoah has enjoyed his breakout season after placing eighth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2021. Manoah’s 2.33 ERA and 2.9 WAR each rank third in the AL.
SP Justin Verlander- HOU
Not many expected Verlander to have the season that he is having after missing the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John Surgery, but the 39-year-old has gone above and beyond, delivering his best season since 2011. Verlander’s 2.03 ERA is the lowest mark of his career, while his 0.83 WHIP is second only to McClanahan.
SP Nestor Cortes- NYY
‘Nasty Nestor’ as they call him in New York has been a revelation for the MLB-best Yankees, pacing the staff with a 2.44 ERA and 2.4 WAR. Cortes was hit harder in June than the previous two months but is still very deserving of his first career All-Star selection.
SP Gerrit Cole- NYY
Cole has continued to showcase himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball after signing his massive contract with New York, following up his Cy Young runner-up season in 2021 with a 2.99 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 93.1 innings this season.
SP Martin Perez- TEX
Perez spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Rangers, eventually leaving to join the Twins and Red Sox from 2019-21. Perez returned to Texas on a one-year deal this offseason and has posted a career-year in Arlington. Through 100.0 innings pitched, Perez has recorded a sparkling 2.34 ERA and 3.0 WAR. The veteran could become an intriguing trade option at the deadline if the Rangers decide to become sellers at the end of the month.
SP Paul Blackburn- OAK
It’s been a dismal season in Oakland so far, but the development of Blackburn has been a welcome sight. In his sixth season as an Athletic, Blackburn seems to have found a new gear, anchoring the A’s rotation alongside Frankie Montas. Blackburn has struck out only 67 hitters, but his 2.90 ERA is 10th in the AL.
RP Emmanuel Clase- CLE
There are few pitches in baseball as dominant as Clase’s cutter, which averages 100 mph according to Fangraphs. Clase has rode the pitch to a 1.31 ERA and 19 saves in the first half.
RP Clay Holmes- NYY
Once a underperforming starter for the Pirates, Holmes has rejuvenated his career as a high-leverage reliever in New York. Holmes’ 0.49 ERA tops all qualified relievers, while his work in the ninth inning has vaulted him over Aroldis Chapman in the Yankees’ bullpen hierarchy.
RP Jorge Lopez- BAL
The Orioles have taken steps forward in their rebuilding process this season, led by a bullpen that ranks fourth in MLB according to Fangraphs’ WAR. The group is headlined by the closer Lopez, who has saved 13 games with a 1.88 ERA.
RP Michael Fulmer- DET
Once an All-Star as a starter with the Tigers, Fulmer has recovered from several injuries and bouts of inconsistency to become a dominant reliever at the back end of the Tigers’ bullpen. The 29-year-old has a 2.10 ERA and 30 strikeouts for an underwhelming Detroit team.
Just Missed
SP Dylan Cease
RP Michael King
SP Logan Gilbert
RP Liam Hendriks
OF Taylor Ward
1B Ty France
1B Anthony Rizzo
SS Bo Bichette
CF Cedric Mullins
SP Framber Valdez
SP Frankie Montas
3B Alex Bregman
2B D.J. LeMahieu
C Jonah Heim
SS Gleyber Torres
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