With the MLB All-Star game just 11 days away (as of June 26th), MLB has announced the All-Star starters that will take the field in Cleveland. It is time to take a look at these starters for the American Leauge and how they have done so far this season.
AL MLB All-Star Starters
Catcher – Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
This will be Gary Sanchez‘s second All-Star appearance with last selection being in 2017. Sanchez is batting .266 with 23 home runs, 7 doubles, and 52 RBI. His 23 home runs are good enough for the second-highest in the American League. He has been consistent throughout most of the year as well, with his batting average staying around .245-.260. Sanchez has also vastly improved his defense behind the plate. He has only allowed five passed balls and has a caught stealing percentage of .231.
First Base – Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
Carlos Santana will make his first All-Star appearance on home field after winning in a runoff vote. Santana is batting .290 — top 25 for American League hitters. He also has racked up 18 home runs, 15 doubles, and 48 RBI on the season. He has greatly improved his game and is currently on pace to have his most home runs, hits, and RBI of his career. While Santana is known for his power, he has really shown this year that he can be a versatile player. Santana will look to put on a show for his home fans as he prepares for the All-Star Game.
Second Base – DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees
DJ LeMahieu will be making his third All-Star appearance and has continued to make a name for himself. LeMahieu owns the third-best batting average in the majors at .336 — good enough for the best in the American League. He also currently has 12 home runs, 16 doubles, and 54 RBI on the season. LeMahieu’s batting has once again earned him a spot on the All-Star team, but he has not lacked in the field either.
Shortstop – Jorge Polanco, Minnesota Twins
Jorge Polanco will be making his first appearance as an All-Star in Cleveland this year. Polanco owns the third-best batting average in the American League with an average of .321. Polanco also has 11 home runs, 22 doubles, and 39 RBI. His 22 doubles have been a big part of his success this year, and it is the fourth-most by any player in the American League.
Third Base – Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
Alex Bregman will be making the second All-Star appearance of his career later next week. Bregman is batting .267 with 22 home runs, 12 doubles, and 52 RBI. His 22 home runs are tied for the third-most in the American League and seventh in the league. Bregman has been a run-driving machine, as his 52 RBI ranks him among the top ten in the American league.
Center Field – Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout continues to show why he deserves to be considered the best player in MLB. This will be Trout’s eighth All-Star appearance, and he has yet to miss an All-Star game since 2012. Trout is currently batting .303 with 22 home runs, 18 doubles, and 56 RBI. These stats rank him in the top five for both home runs and RBI and in the top 10 for batting average in the American League. Trout has shown no signs of slowing down and will look to put on yet another show at the MLB All-Star game.
Right Field – George Springer, Houston Astros
George Springer will be making his third appearance in the MLB All-Star game this year. Springer is currently batting .316 with 18 home runs, nine doubles, and 44 RBI. His bat has been hot so far this year, as it seems like he is always putting the ball in play. But Springer’s best has come in the field, as he has made catch after catch in right field.
Left Field – Michael Brantley, Houston Astros
Michael Brantley will be appearing in his fourth MLB All-Star game but will make his first start this year. Brantley is batting .317 with 11 home runs, 21 doubles, and 43 RBI. He ranks in the top five for both batting average and doubles in the American league. Brantley continues to show off his ability to get extra bases, and fans will be hoping to see him continue to do so in the All-Star game.
Designated Hitter – Hunter Pence, Texas Rangers
Hunter Pence will be appearing in his fourth All-Star game and starting in his second. Pence is currently batting .294 with 15 home runs, 14 doubles, and 48 RBI. However, his best stat is shown in his slugging percentage of .608, which ranks among the top five players in the American League.
Overview
Most of these players all are worthy of a spot on the MLB All-Star roster. The biggest surprise came with Hunter Pence, but for the most part, this is another star-studded team that should put on a good show in Cleveland.
It will be interesting to see who will get the reserve positions for the All-Star game with plenty of big names still out there. The player to watch will be the hometown hero Carlos Santana, as he will be sure to get fans excited when he comes up to the plate. The Houston Astros will be well-represented as they have three players who will be taking the field, with the Yankees right behind them with two.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
