Even though the Midsummer Classic isn’t until midsummer, it’s never too early to start making 2023 MLB All Star predictions.
Long before the All-Star voting begins, we have a good idea of ​​who deserves to be there. With any luck, this year’s game will go down as one of the best in All-Star history.
2023 MLB All Star Predictions
Let’s face it, there’s still plenty of time to change our All-Star roster. Some players may get injured and others may cool off after a hot start.
But then again, there’s no harm in making early MLB All-Star predictions for 2023. That’s why we wanted to share our MLB All-Star predictions for 2023 with the players we think deserve to be in the Midsummer Classic.
American League starters
Jonah Heim, Catcher
The AL has some good catchers this year. But Jonah Heim is the only one hitting over .300.
With Haim playing a big role in helping the Rangers to first place, he deserves to be the starter in the All-Star Game.
Yandy Diaz, First Base
Look for the Rays to be well represented at this year’s All-Star Game.
How could they not be given their incredible start? Yandy Diaz is hitting over .300 and has an OPS over 1.000. Right now, that’s enough to hold off Anthony Rizzo and Wladimir Guerrero Jr.
Marcus Semien, Second Base
Most of the top second basemen are in the National League, so no one can compete with Marcus Semien right now.
He earns his big salary from Texas and is the only second baseman in the AL with an OPS above .800.
Matt Chapman, Third Base
Rafael Devers and Isaac Paredes have a strong case, but few have been as good this season as Matt Chapman.
He may only have five homers on the season, but his 18 doubles and .318 average through 42 games more than make up for that, giving Toronto’s third baseman the nod at the hot corner.
Bo Bichette, Shortstop
It will be all Toronto lefty for the American League, with Bo Bichette as the best shortstop in the AL so far.
Naturally, Tampa’s Wander Franco gave him a strong run. But Bitchett is batting over .300 and has more homers than Franco, so Toronto’s shortstop has the edge.
Randy Arozarena, left field
Another member of the Rays starts the All-Star game, with Randy Arozarena having a great first half.
He leads all MLB left fielders in home runs while batting over .300. It makes it quick and easy to have a conversation about who should start.
Aaron Judge, Center Field
It’s clear Aaron Judge isn’t living up to what he did last season. But he’s still putting together a great season despite missing some time in IL.
Additionally, he started more games in center field than right field for the Yankees. That’s important because he’s outhitting the rest of the AL center fielders, including Mike Trout and Luis Robert.
Adolis Garcia, Right Field
With all due respect to Boston’s Alex Verdugo, playing for the first-place Rangers helps give Adolis Garcia an edge in right field.
It also helps that Garcia already has 13 home runs and is averaging more than an RBI per game. There are only a handful of players even close to Garcia in RBIs, making him the obvious choice to start in right field for the AL.
Brent Rooker, DH
All-Star Game rules state that Oakland must have one representative. But in Brent Rooker’s case, he’s actually earned a spot.
With 11 homers and an OPS over 1.000, Rooker was the best DH in the American League that season, even surpassing Shohei Ohtani and Jordan Alvarez, which is saying a lot.
Sonny Gray, starting pitcher
With so many good candidates, Sonny Gray has been slightly better than in the American League and deserves an All-Star start right now.
Gerrit Cole is neck and neck with Gray at the moment. But the Minnesota ace has been a bit more efficient and actually has a better strikeout rate than Cole, giving him the edge right now.
National League starters
Sean Murphy, Catcher
Elias Diaz of the Rockies deserves strong consideration as he is hitting around .330 so far. But Sean Murphy’s strength lifts him up.
He has 10 homers and nine doubles in his first 37 games, giving him an OPS near 1.000 for the Braves, who will be well represented in the Midsummer Classic.
Paul Goldschmidt, First Base
The likes of Pete Alonso, Matt Olson and Christian Walker have more home runs than Paul Goldschmidt.
But the reigning MVP is still the best first baseman in baseball. He has done his part to keep the struggling Cardinals going to this point in the season.
Luis Arayes, Second Base
This All-Star pick should be a no-brainer, as the reigning American League champions are still flirting with .400 after being traded to the Marlins.
Even if he’s down for a month, Luis Aares will still earn an All-Star Game start as he aims to win back-to-back titles in both leagues.
Patrick Wisdom, Third Base
The usual suspects like Nolan Arenado and Austin Riley aren’t hitting their normal numbers, so the starting third base spot is wide open in the NL right now.
It’s a close call between Max Muncy and Patrick Wisdom, but we’ll nominate Wisdom because he’s been a little less hung for his production.
Xander Bogaerts, Shortstop
After four American League All-Star appearances, Kander Bogaerts could start this year in the National League.
He’s one of the few Padres to have a good first half. Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor, Trey Turner and Dansby Swanson aren’t matching their usual numbers or salaries, making it a little easier to make Bogaerts the starting shortstop.
Lourdes Gurriel, left field
Looks like Lourdes Gurriel is finally stepping out of his brother’s shadow. He is having a great season as part of a dynamic Arizona infield.
With Juan Soto off to a slow start, Gurriel gets the start in left field, along with Ian Happ and Brian Reynolds as good candidates to make the backups on the All-Star team.
Brandon Marsh, Center field
The competition to be the starting center fielder with NL stats will be hot for the next month or so. Current Dodger James Oatman and former Dodger Cody Bellinger are both having strong seasons.
Also, don’t count out UK’s Brandon Nimmo just yet. However, Brandon Marsh has been incredible for the Phillies despite their disappointing start to the season, so he’s in the leadoff spot right now.
Ronald Acuna Jr., right field
If the season ended today, there would be no doubt that Ronald Acuna Jr. would be the National League MVP. He’s finally healthy and performing as a bona fide superstar.
Even if the NL has plenty of other quality right fielders, he’s going to be the All-Star Game starter, no questions asked.
Nolan Gorman, DH
Despite also being a part-time outfielder, Nolan Gorman established himself as the best DH in the National League this season.
His power has been undeniable, but he also gets on base and hits for a better average than the likes of Jorge Soler and Andrew McCutchen, who have been solid but haven’t been able to do as much damage as Gorman in 2023.
Bryce Elder, starting pitcher
It might be nice for nostalgia to make Clayton Kershaw the NL starter because he’s had a great season. But on merit alone, it’s a toss-up between Alex Cobb and Bryce Elder.
None of them have a particularly impressive strikeout rate, so it’s hard not to include Kershaw, Zach Gallen and others in the conversation as well. But Elder has been phenomenal at keeping opposing hitters off the base path, and right now that’s the difference between him and everyone else, making him the National League’s projected All-Star Game starter.