It’s been 93 years since the first MLB All-Star game occurred at Cominsky Park in Chicago. Featuring all-time greats like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Grove, and Jimmie Foxx.
As I can’t say I was alive in 1933, I can’t really argue if others should have been allowed into the history books. But I am around now, and the full MLB All-Star rosters released, featuring wide gaps everywhere you look.
The rosters are still able to change all the way up until the All-Star game, as players may drop out due to injury or personal reasons, meaning some of these players might wind up in Seattle representing their team.
Major League Baseball relies on the fans and the players to get a rough draft of the players allowed at the Mid-Summer Classic. But that doesn’t always coincide with the ‘every team must have one representative’ self-imposed requirement. That means there isn’t always room for the borderline players that should be there.
With that being said: let’s dive into some of the players that deserve to represent their team at each position…
CATCHER
Patrick Bailey, San Fransisco Giants.
Frankly, the Catcher selection is perfect, but the switch hitting, Bailey, is sitting at .309 AVG with a 130 OPS+ but is more impressive behind the dish. Baseball Savant has Bailey ranked in the 100th percentile for framing, and the 96th for pop time. It seems as if the Giants have another long-term catcher on their hands.
FIRST BASEMEN
Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks.
Walker silently broke out last season. Walker has been building off of his 27 Runs Above Average (RAA,) his 2.9 Wins Above Average (WAA,) and a gold glove as the sprinkles on top. Walker plays nearly every day, missing only three games up to this point. Baseball Savant has him in the 93 percentile for Max Exit Velocity, and the 97th for Outs Above Average. I think it’s worth mentioning that nearly every member of the NL All-Star infield, starters, and reserves are either on the Braves right now, or were a member of the ‘21 World Series team. Luis Arraez, Nolan Arenado, and Pete Alonso are the only outliers.
SECOND BASEMEN
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
I know, I know…it’s lame to stack this list with Diamondback players, BUT: they are the second-best team in the National League, behind only the Atlanta Braves. It’s hard to beat the Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson reunion…but none of those players own a 3.6 WAR. Marte’s Baseball Reference page is quite the sight: littered with red, showing he is near the top in xBA (expected batting average) Max Exit Velo, Average Exit Velo, K% Whiff%, BB%, and Chase Rate. That’s nearly everything that Baseball Savant tracks.
THIRD BASEMEN
Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
Fresh off of a massive contract extension, Devers has kept his outstanding young career going. After only hitting 27 home runs and knocking in 88 RBI last year, he already has 20 and 66 through 81 games. His Baseball Savant page is just as pretty as Marte’s. Devers is at least in the 90th percentile in Average Exit Velo, Max Exit Velo, HardHit% xwOBA (Expected Weighted On Base Average,) and xSLG (Expected Slugging Percentage.)
SHORTSTOP
Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays
If I had to pick one of these players to come in as a replacement, I would expect Wander Franco to be that player. He is the most shocking player that didn’t get the invite to Seattle. Ever since breaking onto the scene in ‘21, Franco has been one of the most electric players in the MLB. Franco is one of the best defensive shortstops in the MLB today and is a monster from both sides of the plate. It is very rare when you see Franco have a bad at bat. He is in the 93rd percentile for xBA, 94th for K%, 98th Whiff%, and in the 100th percentile for Outs Above Average.
OUTFIELDERS
Fernando Tatis Jr. San Diego Padres.
Another mind-boggling no-invite features one of the most well-known players in the league. Fernando Tatis Jr. is a superstar and someone who the MLB should feature in the All-Star Game. This news is surely received with open arms by many fans, as Tatis Jr’s PED suspension tainted his legacy for the rest of his career. But watching him play is something special, and the All-Star Game would be nothing but better with him involved.
Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies
Marsh was traded at the deadline last year and turned it on once he buttoned up his Phillies uniform. He built off of his impressive second half and kept smacking the ball. He is one of the toughest outs in the league and hits the ball incredibly hard every time he makes contact. He is in the 90th percentile for both Average Exit Velo and HardHit%.
Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
It’s so great to see the 2018 NL MVP coming back to his usual form. He had a couple of down years, and a slow start to the ‘23 season is probably the reason he has been left off of the roster. But over the past 20 games he has been batting .330/.427/.568 (Avg/OBP/SLG.) Looking at his Baseball Savant page is like looking at an area where a wildfire ripped through, but the vegetation is regrowing.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Matasaka Yoshida, Boston Red Sox
My pick for Rookie of the Year has been crushing the ball since he made his MLB debut. He is hitting .305/.377/.477 since arriving in the States. It would have been cool to see him and Ohtani rekindle their WBC magic.
STARTING PITCHER
Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
One of the only bright spots in this Minnesota season has been their starting pitchers. An early overreaction of the 2023 season was Joe Ryan for Cy Young — His numbers have come a little back to Earth, but he is still filthy. Paradoxically, he is in the 98th percentile in both BB% and Chase Rate. He has been one of the brightest spots in the dark Minnesota Twins season.
RELIEF PITCHER
Paul Sewald, Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners have the second-best pitching staff in baseball behind only the Cubs. This is odd because Luis Castillo, the sole representative of the home team, is arguably not their best pitcher. Logan Gilbert and George Kirby have been outstanding in the first half. Having a reliable closer to come in and slam the door is one of the most important parts of a baseball team, and the Seattle Mariners have a gem in Paul Sewald. He leads the league in xBA/xwOBA, and the rest of his Baseball Savant page lights up red like he has chicken pox.
So, bottom line, the roster has some serious gaps, and these are the players that should get a crack at the All-Star game in Seattle according to the numbers.
