The all star game is one of the most exciting times of the year in the Major League Baseball season. The best of the American League and the best of the National League get to take each other on in one fun but still competitive game.
The American League is generally more talented than the National League and this year is no exception. The all star ballot is full of very talented players everywhere on the diamond, but only one can start per position.
American League catcher- Salvador Perez-Kansas City Royals
It’s very rare that catchers get better at age 34, but Perez is breaking all odds. Perez has an improved approach at the plate which is allowing him to get on base more. For reference, in the 2021 he worked 28 total walks in 161 games. This season through 63 games he has already worked 20 walks. Perez’s great play along with his veteran leadership have been huge reasons why the Royals are having their best season in years. Perez is the lone member of the 2015 world series team still on the Royals in 2024.
American League first baseman- Ryan Mountcastle- Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have talent all around the diamond but few have been as big for the team as Mountcastle. The Orioles first baseman has got off to a hot start, as he holds a career high 138 OPS+ through his first 58 games. Despite only being 27 he is one of the veterans on the young Orioles team and has proven his worth as a player and leader.
American League second baseman- Marcus Semien- Texas Rangers
Semien has quietly become one of the most consistent stars in MLB. He holds three top three MVP finishes since 2019. Although he isn’t quite playing at an MVP level he is still hitting at an above average level with elite defense. Semien’s 11 outs above average leads all major league players. The defending world champions have dealt with some championship fatigue, but Semien has not fallen victim so far.
American League third baseman- Josh Smith- Texas Rangers
The American League third base position is one of the most competitive in the league, but Smith has made a very good case to be the starter. Although Smith can’t hit for power like most third baseman he makes up for it with his elite on base abilities. Through 62 games he holds an on base percentage of .373.
American League shortstop- Gunnar Henderson- Baltimore Orioles
Not only is Henderson playing like the best shortstop in baseball, he could very well be the MVP of the league as well. Last years’ American League rookie of the year took the jump to stardom in year two. Henderson has reached 20 home runs already through 63 games. This type of power at the shortstop position hasn’t been seen since Alex Rodriguez was in his prime. Considering he’s competing with the hitters machines that are Bobby Witt Jr. in Kansas City and Anthony Volpe on the Yankees, he needs this extra power boost to separate himself. All three of these guys could be all star starters at some point in their career.
Photo via the Virginian-Pilot
American League DH- Brent Rooker- Oakland A’s
Last year Brent Rooker made the all star team largely due to every team needing a representative. However, this year he has proven he is an all star no matter what team he is on. He has gotten better in almost every offensive aspect of the game. That combined with the decline of other DHs makes Rooker the easy choice.
American League left fielder- Juan Soto- New York Yankees
The Yankees made a huge trade this offseason to get Soto on the team. The trade has made the Yankees a much better team and should earn Soto another all star spot. Through 64 games Soto holds an OPS over 1,000. This would be the second season he has accomplished this feat, the first being 2020. Soto will be a free agent at season’s end, and this season has clearly proven that he is worthy of being one of the highest paid players in baseball.
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American League center fielder- Aaron Judge- New York Yankees
Through the first month of the season, the idea of Judge making the all star team seemed impossible. Now that voting has actually begun his spot is a given. On June 9 he led the American league in on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and OPS+. The star duo of Soto and Judge have done wonders for the Yankees. In 2022, Judge had one of the best seasons in baseball history, breaking the American League home run record with a 62 home run season. However, through June 8 Judge has one more home run in 2024 than he did through June 8 of 2022, with 23 home runs in 2024 and 22 home runs in 2022.
American League right fielder- Kyle Tucker- Houston Astros
Although The Astros have not lived up to their team expectations, Tucker has exceeded his individual expectations. Through 60 games Tucker has a .395 on base percentage and a .584 slugging percentage, equaling out to a .979 OPS, all of these numbers being career highs for Tucker. Plenty of Astros will be a part of trade rumors come July, but Tucker is one of the few players who likely isn’t going anywhere. Tucker is under contract until the end of 2025.
