There are now less than two weeks until the MLB All-Star Game. Fans have been able to vote for the players they want to take part in the event for the past few weeks, and yesterday MLB announced the starting rosters for both leagues.
Let’s start with the American side, where no less than five Jays players were among the finalists. However, in the end, none of them was selected as a starter: it was especially the Rangers who stole the show with no less than four players (Jonah Heim, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Jung).
The Rays (Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena) and Angels (Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani) also each have two reps, while latest starter Aaron Judge obviously represents the Yankees. However, considering that he is injured, he will be replaced in the starting lineup.
On the side of the National, it is rather two teams that stand out, while the Braves (Ronald Acuna Jr., Sean Murphy and Orlando Arcia) and the Dodgers (Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and JD Martinez) each have three players among the starting training.
We also note the presence of Luis Arraez (on the run for a batting average of .400), Corbin Carroll (the young Diamondbacks rookie who is taking the league by storm in his first year) and Nolan Arenado (who has a season correctbut the other options were not very appealing).
It’s not really a surprise, but apart from Arenado, we notice that in both leagues, the representatives come from clubs that are doing well this year. There are good clubs that are not represented (the Orioles and the Giants, for example), but the representatives are almost all from good clubs.
Note however that these are obviously not the only players who will be on the Seattle side for the All-Star Game. Reservists and pitchers will be announced early Sunday evening.
Recall that this year, it is both the commissioner’s office and the players (via ballots) who will determine the identity of the other guys who will take part in the game.
In addition, the players who will take part in the circuit competition are starting to be known. We knew that Julio Rodriguez was going to do it in front of his supporters, and yesterday we learned that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was also going to take part.
In short, everything is starting to take shape. There are less than ten days to wait before the break for the Stars.
For the guys, it will be a well-deserved break before the end of the season which promises to be quite colorful.
- Chris Bassitt pitched well and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered in a Jays win.
- We suspect that David Stearns will go to New York.
- Mookie Betts will be at the circuit contest.
- The plan for a new stadium in Kansas City is clearer.
