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Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom hits a three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Underrated American League All-Star candidates

By David Hill, Seth Carlson | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:25 PM ET

MLB's Midsummer Classic has long been a highlight of the summer months and often pits the brightest stars in baseball against each other. With this year's game just a month away (July 15 at Atlanta's Truist Park), Yardbarker's MLB writers took a look at an underrated All-Star candidate from each American League club who deserves to represent his team in Atlanta.

(Records and stats are through play Sunday.)

AL East

Jun 9, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda hits a RBI single against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (30-40) | RHP Tomoyuki Sugano | Orioles pitching has been abysmal in 2025, but Sugano (5-4, 3.38 ERA) has been a nice signing from Japan. The right-hander doesn’t miss many bats (just 5.2 strikeouts per nine innings), but he’s done enough to merit consideration for the American League’s All-Star staff.

BOSTON RED SOX (37-36) | C Carlos Narvaez | Narvaez has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox with an .833 OPS at the dish, well-above average offensive production at the catcher position. That should earn him strong consideration to join the American League All-Stars in Atlanta.

NEW YORK YANKEES (42-28) | 1B Paul Goldschmidt | “Goldy” is experiencing a career renaissance of sorts in Bronx pinstripes, slashing .311/.371/.455 with an .826 OPS in 2025. Though he has just seven long balls, that power outage should not affect his chances of representing New York in the Midsummer Classic.

TAMPA BAY RAYS (39-32) | 1B Jonathan Aranda | The 27-year-old’s plus hit tool that put him on the map as a prospect has been on full display for the Rays in 2025, as Aranda sports a strong .902 OPS that is aided greatly by a .411 on-base percentage. He’s a worthy first-time All-Star candidate this season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (38-33) | C Alejandro Kirk | Kirk has been an All-Star before (2022), but he deserves another nod in 2025 thanks to a .316/.357/.425 slash and a .781 OPS, strong hitting output, especially for a catcher. That five-year, $58 million extension he received from the Blue Jays is looking like a steal, too. -- Seth Carlson

AL Central

May 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Shane Smith delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Rate Field. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (23-49) | SP Shane Smith | One of the best Rule V selections in recent history, Smith is establishing himself as a part of the White Sox's future. His 2.37 ERA would rank eighth in the AL if he had enough innings to qualify.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (35-35) | RP Hunter Gaddis | A surprising weapon out of the Guardians' bullpen in 2024, Gaddis has picked up right where he left off. He has posted a 1.93 ERA and a 1.321 WHIP over his 28 innings, striking out 36 batters.

DETROIT TIGERS (46-27) | OF Javier Baez | Baez was essentially left for dead heading into 2025, as he was not guaranteed playing time. He has since resurrected his career, emerging as one of the best players on a Tigers team that holds the best record in the majors.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (34-38) | 3B Maikel Garcia | The Royals needed one of their young hitters to step up as a building block alongside shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Garcia has done exactly that, posting a .309/.370/.477 batting line with seven homers, 18 doubles and 15 steals.

MINNESOTA TWINS (36-35) | RP Louis Varland | While setup man Griffin Jax has scuffled this season, Varland has stepped up in the Twins bullpen. He has posted a 2.23 ERA in his 32.1 innings, striking out 36 batters with just seven walks. -- David Hill

AL West

Jun 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) catches the ball from Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (not pictured) after walking a batter during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

ATHLETICS (29-44) | 1B Tyler Soderstrom | Although rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson has received a great deal of attention, Soderstrom is in the midst of a breakout season. He has posted a .254/.343/.459 batting line in his 306 plate appearances and has already set career highs in homers (14) and doubles (11).

HOUSTON ASTROS (41-30) | SP Hunter Brown | Brown has quietly developed into one of the best starting pitchers in the American League. His 3.3 pitching bWAR is third in the AL and he leads the league with a 1.88 ERA over his 86 innings.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (33-37) | SP Yusei Kikuchi | The Angels signed Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million contract as part of a flurry of signings early in the offseason. He has lived up to that deal, posting a 3.05 ERA with 78 strikeouts over his 82.2 innings thus far.

SEATTLE MARINERS (33-34) | SS J.P. Crawford | Crawford has been everything the Mariners hoped for in his place as their leadoff hitter. He has produced a .296/.411/.413 batting line in his 289 plate appearances, hitting six homers and 10 doubles while drawing a walk in 15.9 percent of his plate appearances.

TEXAS RANGERS (36-36) | IF/OF Josh Smith | Smith’s versatility has been valuable to the Rangers as he has made an appearance at every position aside from pitcher and catcher. His production has forced the Rangers to find a place in the lineup for his bat as he has produced a career-best .288/.357/.443 batting line with seven homers and 11 doubles while stealing eight bases. -- David Hill

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

Seth Carlson

Seth Carlson is an experienced writer and editor based in the NYC area with a particular love for all things baseball. He has a demonstrated history of delivering insightful analysis and engaging content across multiple outlets and industries. Seth brings his expertise and commitment to high-quality coverage to Yardbarker’s readers.

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