Four Tigers Headed to All-Star Game in Atlanta

Four Tigers Named as MLB All-Stars

Tarik Skubal

It should not come as a surprise that Tarik Skubal is an All-Star this year, as the dominant southpaw is looking to become the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez back in 1999-2000 to win back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards.

Skubal has had five shutout performances in his last eight outings, posting a 1.12 ERA during that stretch. With his dominant ten-strikeout and seven-inning performance today against the Cleveland Guardians, Skubal joined Jack Morris as the only two Tigers pitchers to put up 23 strikeouts and no runs in a two-start span, per Just Baseball Media.

Additionally, Skubal became just the fourth left-handed pitcher to have at least three starts feature 10+ strikeouts and no walks or runs allowed. He joins a storied list that includes Sandy Koufax in 1965, Randy Johnson in 2004, and Clayton Kershaw in 2015. It feels more likely than not that Skubal will start the All-Star Game for the American League.

Gleyber Torres

Gleyber Torres joined the Tigers this past offseason on a one-year “prove it” deal, and he has certainly proven his worth to the organization. Torres will be the starting second baseman for the American League All-Star team, becoming the first Tiger to do so since Placido Polanco back in 2007.

This season, Torres is batting .278 with nine home runs and 44 RBI, while also sporting a .810 OPS. His .387 OBP is the best on the team and would be a career-high if he were to keep this up. He has been an integral part of the team’s success and a huge reason why the Tigers are one of the best teams in the American League. After being dumped and shown the door by the New York Yankees, Torres has found new success in Detroit and will be an intriguing free agent this offseason.

Although he continues to be a minus defender on the field, he more than makes up for it with his clutch at-bats. Torres has a 12.7 strikeout percentage and a 14.2 walk percentage. Those numbers are usually associated with the likes of Juan Soto, but now Torres has entered the conversation.

Riley Greene

Just like a fine wine, Riley Greene continues to get better with age. Back at the All-Star game for a second straight year, Greene has been punishing baseballs to begin 2025.

Greene currently leads the team in almost every offensive category; well on pace for a career-high in home runs (24) and RBI (74). Those were his numbers in 2024, in 2025, Greene already has 22 home runs and 71 RBI. While the strikeouts continue to be an issue for Greene, he is still working with a .340 OBP and .880 OPS. However, it seems Tigers’ manager A.J. Hinch and company can live with the strikeout rate.

If the Tigers want any chance of competing in October, they will need to look to Riley Greene to help at the plate. His 116 strikeouts currently lead the majors, but his bat is still too valuable to leave out of the lineup or drop him within the order. Numbers like these usually present an issue come October, but his other outstanding offensive numbers still make it difficult to attack him in the zone.

Javier Báez

What has been proclaimed as one of the worst contracts in MLB history has now turned into a starting center fielder at this year’s All-Star Game. Moving from shortstop to center field, Javier Báez became the first player in MLB history to start an All-Star Game both in the outfield and infield.

Báez is hitting .280 on the season with nine home runs and 37 RBI, while also managing a 2.0 WAR. A traditional shortstop, Báez has been a team player this season with the Tigers, as he has been willing to play anywhere on the field.

His .445 slugging percentage this season is currently his highest since becoming a Tiger back in 2022. Not only is his slugging higher, but he has also been able to lower his strikeout percentage. He’s on pace for 107 strikeouts this season, which would be his lowest in a full season of his career.

Great Representation

The Tigers will be well-represented at this year’s MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta on July 15th. With some All-Stars injured, one could only wonder if we see a few more Tigers make their way to Atlanta in the upcoming week.