{"id":102451,"date":"2025-06-18T22:56:20","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T02:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=102451"},"modified":"2025-06-18T22:56:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T02:56:20","slug":"2025-mlb-all-star-frontrunners-third-base-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/06\/18\/2025-mlb-all-star-frontrunners-third-base-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 MLB All-Star Frontrunners: Third Base Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best time in all of sports has officially arrived: the summer of baseball. What does that mean exactly? Every other league takes a backseat while Major League Baseball drives through the warm months as the only professional sport with competitive games. And with that comes one of the game\u2019s most beloved traditions: the MLB All-Star Game.<\/p>\n

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Each year, fans vote for who they think deserves to start\u2014and often, that includes names from their favorite teams or simply the biggest stars in the sport. But as we\u2019ve seen in years past, fan voting can be\u2026 complicated. Just ask 2021 Bryce Harper<\/a>, who posted a .282 average with 15 homers and a .899 OPS by midseason and still didn\u2019t make the cut.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In this series<\/a>, we\u2019ll go position by position, breaking down the players most deserving of MLB All-Star nods\u2014along with a few dark horse names who might sneak in if the stars align\u2013and next up, we have the position of third base.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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*All stats entering Wednesday, June 18<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Frontrunners for 2025 MLB All-Star Game: Third Base<\/h2>\n

American League<\/h3>\n

Starter – <\/strong>Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It seems every year, the Cleveland Guardians’ superstar third baseman is left out of the spotlight. Like clockwork, Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez<\/a> is having another outstanding season, good enough to get him to start at third base in the All-Star Game again.<\/p>\n

The 32-year-old is currently batting .319 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI, while also ranking top 10 in OPS with a .915 total.<\/p>\n

J-Ram has been one of the league\u2019s best for the last five years, truly showcasing how elite his bat can be to his team, one of the best hitters in all of baseball. Without a doubt, Ramirez will be a spotlight starter for the American League team in Atlanta.<\/p>\n

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Jun 11, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Backup – Maikel Garcia<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Maikel Garcia<\/a> has been on an entirely different planet ever since trash-talking the New York Yankees in last season\u2019s ALDS. Garcia is everything, and more, that the Royals hoped for in 2016 when they signed him.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old has produced at high levels offensively, hitting .312 with seven home runs and 32 RBI, while still producing an elite OPS of .849.<\/p>\n

This kind of production is exactly what the Royals need right now as their offense still attempts to find its footing.<\/p>\n

Dark Horse – Junior Caminero<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A 21-year-old, yes, a 21-year-old, has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball. The Rays somehow have done it again: another young prospect with immense amounts of talent already producing at a young age. Now, imagine if they still had Wander Franco<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Junior Caminero<\/a> has been a must-watch baseball player this season, hitting 17 home runs with 46 RBI. His batting average sits at .254, which is average, but he makes up for it with his .504 slugging. It’s wild that a 21-year-old could be adding an All-Star appearance to their short resum\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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Junior Caminero, last 30 days…<\/p>\n

112 PA, .284\/.348\/.647, 23 R, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 3 SB, 13.4% K<\/p>\n

Last 30 days ranks: HR (T-3rd), RBI (T-2nd), R (T-3rd), ISO (3rd), SLG (5th), wOBA (11th), wRC+ (9th).#RaysUp<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/SnlKzL2soQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) June 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n