The first All-Star in major league history goes back to 1933. Many players who participated in the Midsummer Classic rank among baseball’s most iconic legends. Many of those players earned over 15 All-Star selections, a feat that may never happen again. But for the active players, they are making a name for themselves. Here is a look at the all-time All-Star Game starting lineup, highlighting the active players with the most starts at each position.
Editors note: Some players might have started multiple spots throughout their careers. One position has multiple starters as they are tied for All-Star starts.
Active All-Star Game Starting Lineup
Catcher: Salvador Perez (6 starts, 9 selections)
The last remaining member of the Kansas City Royals 2015 World Series team, Salvador Perez is playing in his 13th major league season. He made his first All-Star Game in 2013 to kick off six consecutive Midsummer Classics, and he has started in six of his nine selections. Perez ranks second in franchise history for most All-Star selections, behind George Brett’s 13.
All-Time: Iván Rodríguez (12 starts, 14 selections)
First base: Freddie Freeman (4 starts, 8 selections)
Freddie Freeman has eight All-Star nods to his name including three since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. Freeman didn’t play in the 2013 Midsummer Classic, but has played in six All-Star Games. He’s had four starts at first base in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
All-Time: Steve Garvey (9 starts, 10 selections)
Second base: Jose Altuve (5 starts, 9 selections)
Jose Altuve was selected to start in this All-Star Game, but this will be the third time and second as an elected starter that he doesn’t play in the Midsummer Classic. Altuve’s ninth All-Star nod is a new Houston Astros franchise record. The 34-year-old owns a .306 average with an .815 OPS and 14 home runs this season.
All-Time: Ryne Sandberg (9 starts, 10 selections)
Third base: Nolan Arenado (5 starts, 8 selections)
Nolan Arenado was named to his eighth All-Star Game in 2023, beating out Austin Riley in fan voting for the starting position at third base in the National League. Arenado was named the starter for the fifth time in the past six All-Star Games. The 10-time Gold Glover made the NL All-Star team every through 2015-19. He has been named an All-Star in three of his four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
All-Time: Brooks Robinson (11 starts, 18 selections)
Shortstop: Trea Turner (2 starts, 3 selections), Xander Bogaerts (2 starts, 4 selections)
Mookie Betts would have been the overwhelming favorite to start at shortstop this season. However, the starting went to Trea Turner, who is tied with Xander Bogaerts with two starts apiece. The Philadelphia Phillies are the first NL team to have three infielders voted as starters since the Chicago Cubs did so in 2016. Turner has a .349 batting average, .941 OPS and 11 home runs this season.
Both of Bogaerts’ All-Star selections have come from his time with the Boston Red Sox. His first was in 2016 and his last All-Star start was in 2021 in his final season with Boston. For that season, Bogaerts batted .307 with 15 home runs and 73 RBI in 150 games. He was again nominated for a Gold Glove Award but won his fifth Silver Slugger Award.
All-Time: Cal Ripken Jr. (14 starts, 19 selections)
Left field: Christian Yelich (2 starts, 3 selections)
After making his first All-Star team in 2018, the year won the NL MVP Award Christian Yelich was a starter in 2019 and finished second in the NL MVP voting. It earned him a Milwaukee Brewers club record-setting contract extension the following March, a nine-year, $215 million deal.
All Time: Ted Williams (12 starts, 19 selections)
Center field: Mike Trout (6 starts, 11 selections)
The fans elected Mike Trout as a starter in the outfield by the fans 10 times in his career. He missed the Midsummer Classic three times in his career due to injuries. He didn’t play in the 2017 All-Star Game because of a sprained left thumb and didn’t play in the 2021 edition as he was out with a season-ending strained right calf, then left rib cage irritation in 2022 and a broken hamate in 2023. The three-time MVP has a .400/.500/1.000 line with two home runs, four runs and seven hits in seven All-Star Games.
All Time: Willie Mays (18 starts, 24 selections)
Right field: Bryce Harper (6 starts, 8 selections)
Bryce Harper has been a starter six times. He previously made three starts in right field and two in center. Harper joins Hall of Famers Henry Aaron, Stan Musial and Carl Yastrzemski as the only players to make five All-Star Game starts in the outfield an at least one in the infield.
All-Time: Henry Aaron (14 starts, 25 selections)
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani (4 starts, 4 selections)
In his first season of a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani is living up to expectations. It’s the fourth career All-Star selection and the first in the NL for Ohtani. He leads the NL with 27 home runs and leads the Dodgers with 64 RBI. Ohtani is one start shy of tying David Ortiz for most as a designated hitter.
All-Time: David Ortiz, (5 starts, 10 selections)
Starting pitcher: Max Scherzer (4 starts, 8 selections)
Max Scherzer’s fourth All-Star Game start came in 2021. Only five pitchers have started four All-Star Games on the mound and each of them is in the Hall of Fame: Don Drysdale Lefty Gomez and Robin Roberts are tied for the most with five. Jim Palmer and Randy Johnson made four starts each. Scherzer started twice previously for the National League in 2017 and 2018 and once for the American League in 2013.
All-Time: Don Drysdale (5 starts, 9 selections)
