Predicting the MLB All-Star Game Rosters: American League

We are less than a month away from Major League Baseball’s midsummer classic, the All-Star Game. The National League and the American League will face off in the game that showcases the league’s best talent.

Here are our predictions for the starting lineups, pitchers, and reserves that will fill out the American League All-Star Game roster.

MLB All-Star Roster Predictions | American League

Starters

Catcher – Shea Langeliers – Athletics

Langaliers had a great season last year, but this year has been even better. He accrued a total of 3.5 WAR last year and is already at 2.9 pre-All-Star break—one of the best hitters in a great A’s lineup.

First Base – Ben Rice – Yankees

If you’re looking for another Yankee to slot into headlining the MVP conversation in the AL, now that Judge is missing time, it should be Ben Rice. His OPS is almost 1.000, which tells you that he has been hitting the cover off the ball. I think he beats Nick Kurtz in the voting polls to start the game.

Second Base – Ernie Clement – Blue Jays

Ernie Clement plays all around the infield for the Jays, but predominantly lands at second. He is a solid defender and hitter, leading the league in doubles with an above .300 average.

Third Base – Miguel Vargas – White Sox

One of the anchors of this young, hungry White Sox team. He has already matched his home run total from last season and does not chase at the plate.

Shortstop – Bobby Witt Jr. – Royals

Bobby Witt Jr is one of the young stars in the league, and it’s not hard to see why. He leads the AL in bWAR thanks to a combination of great hitting and absolutely stellar defense.

Outfield – Aaron Judge – Yankees

Aaron Judge probably won’t be able to win MVP again due to being out a few weeks with injury, but pre-injury Judge is still Aaron Judge: a guy who is such a consistent and powerful hitter.

Outfield – Mike Trout – Angels

We might be finally seeing what we’ve been looking forward to for years, a healthy Mike Trout. His being on this list may prove what many have been saying all this time: when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best in the game.

Outfield – Byron Buxton – Twins

Byron Buxton may be one of the only things keeping the Twins afloat. He’s put the team on his back, as he has done for years, and the stats, especially lately, are eye-popping. Slugging over .600, 23 homers, 154 WRC+.

Designated Hitter – Yordan Alvarez – Astros

It’s fitting that Yordan Alvarez plays in the Space City because this guy is on another planet offensively. He has a very good shot at the batting triple crown this season if he stays on the same pace. He is the clear AL DH, and he is slugging .650!

Starting Pitcher – Cam Schlittler – Yankees

Schlittler will almost definitely start the All-Star Game for the AL. Large market: check. Leader in the Cy Young race: check. Electric stuff: check. His fastball is elite.

Pitchers

Davis Martin – White Sox

Martin does what all pitchers want to do: he keeps the ball in the yard. His HR/9 is best in the AL by a lot. He anchors that rotation on the south side of Chicago.

Nick Martinez – Rays

Lowest BB% in the AL. After having a good year with the Reds, he comes to Tampa and has a fantastic year. He has one of the best changeups in the league right now.

Parker Messick – Guardians

Parker Messick has been nothing but great since debuting for the Guardians last year. He uses his high arm slot and electric fastball to be one of the best arms in the AL right now.

José Soriano

Soriano is having a career year and is one of the bright spots on a grim Angels pitching staff. His off-speed offerings are eating, giving him the highest ground ball rate in the league.

Drew Rasmussen – Rays

Rasmussen has been excellent in his time for the Rays. They converted him to a starter last year, and his stats have only gotten better. He leads the AL in WHIP and opposing batting average.

Dylan Cease – Blue Jays

Dylan Cease hasn’t pitched as much as the rest of the list due to some injuries, but he has almost 14 K/9 when no one else cracks 11. Even with significantly fewer innings, he leads the AL in Ks. Dominant stuff.

Joe Ryan – Twins

Another guy striking out hitters at an impressive clip is Joe Ryan. Over 10 K/9 and barely walking anyone leads to a WHIP barely above one.

Cade Smith (RP) – Guardians

The AL Saves leader resides in Cleveland. Smith has turned in another great season for the Guardians, racking up saves with his impressive extension and swing-and-miss stuff.

Louis Varland (RP) – Blue Jays

Louis Varland has flown well under the radar, but might be the best relief pitcher in the league. He has only given up 9 runs in almost 40 innings this year.

Rico Garcia (RP) – Orioles

The sole Oriole on the list, Rico Garcia, may not be Baltimore’s closer, but he is pitching very well for them. He has some impressive breaking pitches that induce a ton of whiffs.

Aroldis Chapman (RP) – Red Sox

The ageless wonder, Aroldis Chapman, continues to dominate, even nearing 40. He may not have thrown very many innings, but he has only surrendered one run the whole season.

Reserves

Oufield – Dillon Dingler – Tigers

Dingler has finally tapped into his offense, and this season he’s hitting the ball hard. One of the best in the league in hard hit rate, along with being one of the best defensive catchers in the game.

First Base – Nick Kurtz – Athletics

Kurtz would be starting if Ben Rice weren’t having such a fantastic year. Their numbers are really similar. The Big Amish is one of the best players in baseball in year two. Power and discipline, 18 homers and the AL leader in OBP.

First Base – Munataka Murakami – White Sox

It’s unfortunate that Murakami, the Southside Samurai, has been out for a bit with an injury, because he has brought life to the White Sox. Even with missing a couple of weeks, he is still among league leaders in home runs.

Third Base – Junior Caminero – Rays

If all we had to talk about was offense, Caminero would probably start at third in the All-Star Game. Unfortunately, his defense sinks him, grading out as one of the worst defenders in the league. Man, can this kid hit, though.

Shortstop – Kevin McGonigle – Tigers

McGonigle has come up in his first year and made a big impact on the Tigers. The speedy shortstop is getting on base at an impressive clip and is one of the top baserunners in the league.

Outfield – Cody Bellinger – Yankees

Even at age 30, Belli can still go get it. He pairs a fantastic eye at the plate with pop and some of the best outfield range in the league. He has helped hold down the Yankees’ lineup with Judge out.

Outfield – Riley Greene – Tigers

When Riley Greene puts a bat on it, it’s probably going to be a hit. The Tigers outfielder leads the NL in BABIP by a decently wide margin.

Outfield – Randy Arozarena – Mariners

Arozarena has been great for the Mariners in the time since they acquired him from Tampa. He is still a menace on the basepaths with 19 stolen bases, even at age 31. His bat has some juice in it, too, and he can hit it to any part of the park.

Designated Hitter – Yandy Diaz – Rays

Yandy Diaz may be one of the more underrated players in baseball. His OPS continues to be in the eight and nine hundreds. He hits for power, but also rarely strikes out.

First Base – Willson Contreras – Red Sox

One of the only bright spots for the Red Sox this year has been Contreras. He is having a career year in Boston, despite a lengthy and good career previously. One of the league leaders in OPS and WRC+.

Third Base – Josh Jung – Rangers

The sole Ranger on this list, Jung, has had a very good year in Texas. He is among league leaders in batting average and can square a ball up with the best of them.

Honorable Mentions

Ezequiel Duran, Christian Walker, Taylor Ward, Gavin Williams, Emerson Hancock, Bryan Baker, Jacob DeGrom, Reid Detmers, Kevin Gausman

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