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Who should be the starting MLB All-Stars at every position?
Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Who should be the starting MLB All-Stars at every position?

The starting lineups for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game are set to be revealed on July 6. While the fans have their say for the starting lineups, the most deserving All-Star starters could be very different than the actual starters.

 
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AL Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Mariners

AL Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

There's little debate Raleigh has been the AL's best catcher in the first half, leading the entire league in home runs while playing Gold Glove defense. Despite hitting at least 30 home runs in the last two seasons, this would be his first All-Star appearance.

 
2 of 20

NL Catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers

NL Catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Smith has been the best catcher in the NL during the first half, leading the league in batting average and on-base percentage while playing great defense. He's also been an All-Star the last two seasons.

 
3 of 20

AL First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

AL First Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
David Richard / USA Today Sports Images

Guerrero leads AL first basemen in WAR by a nose over Jonathan Aranda. He's made the All-Star Game in four consecutive years and is among the OBP leaders in the AL this season.

 
4 of 20

NL First Base: Pete Alonso, Mets

NL First Base: Pete Alonso, Mets
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Alonso is making the most of his one-year contract with the Mets, with an OPS above .900 for the first time since his rookie season. His great offense puts him first in NL WAR at the position over Atlanta's Matt Olson.

 
5 of 20

AL Second Base: Gleyber Torres, Tigers

AL Second Base: Gleyber Torres, Tigers
David Rodriguez Muno / USA Today Sports Images

Torres has shown greatly improved plate discipline with his new team, with more walks than strikeouts and an OBP near .400. Along with strong defense, he's tops in WAR at the second base position.

 
6 of 20

NL Second Base: Nico Hoerner, Cubs

NL Second Base: Nico Hoerner, Cubs
Maria Lysaker / USA Today Sports Images

Hoerner is neck-and-neck with Brendan Donovan in WAR among NL second basemen, with elite defense and a batting average that continues to hover near .300. He's never been named an All-Star in his seven-year career.

 
7 of 20

AL Third Base: Jose Ramirez, Guardians

AL Third Base: Jose Ramirez, Guardians
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Ramirez is having another monster season, with an OPS above .900 and a 20/20 pace. The six-time All-Star is well on his way to starting at the hot corner again for the AL squad.

 
8 of 20

NL Third Base: Manny Machado, Padres

NL Third Base: Manny Machado, Padres
David Frerker / USA Today Sports Images

Machado didn't get off to a great start, but his offense has come around as the weather has gotten warmer. The six-time All-Star was last invited in 2022, but should return this year with the highest WAR among NL third basemen, especially after Matt Chapman's injury.

 
9 of 20

AL Shortstop: Jeremy Pena, Astros

AL Shortstop: Jeremy Pena, Astros
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Pena has a chance to not only be the starting shortstop in the AL but also an MVP candidate after his fast start. He's hitting above .300 and on a 20/20 pace.

 
10 of 20

NL Shortstop: Trea Turner, Phillies

NL Shortstop: Trea Turner, Phillies
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Turner was the first NL batter to reach 100 hits this season, showing his old form offensively and defensively. He leads Francisco Lindor and the rest of the NL shortstops in WAR heading into July.

 
11 of 20

AL Outfield: Aaron Judge, Yankees

AL Outfield: Aaron Judge, Yankees
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

Judge is on pace for another historic season, leading the AL in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. He's almost certainly set to make his fifth straight All-Star appearance and seventh overall.

 
12 of 20

NL Outfield: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs

NL Outfield: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
David Banks / USA Today Sports Images

PCA has taken the league by storm in his sophomore season, reaching 20/20 status before the midpoint while playing elite defense. His all-around play makes him a fine candidate to be in the starting lineup.

 
13 of 20

AL Outfield: Byron Buxton, Twins

AL Outfield: Byron Buxton, Twins
Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

It's great to see the oft-injured Buxton back to his old form. He's posted an OPS above .900 while playing elite center field defense.

 
14 of 20

NL Outfield: Kyle Tucker, Cubs

NL Outfield: Kyle Tucker, Cubs
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Tucker has continued to perform at an elite level offensively with his new team, with an OPS above .900 and a 30/30 pace. He's likely headed for his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance.

 
15 of 20

AL Outfield: Riley Greene, Tigers

AL Outfield: Riley Greene, Tigers
David Rodriguez Mano / USA Today Sports Images

A healthy Greene has helped revive the Tigers' offense, with a career-high OPS and a 30 home run pace. The addition of his solid defense puts him third in the AL in WAR among outfielders.

 
16 of 20

NL Outfield: James Wood, Nationals

NL Outfield: James Wood, Nationals
Kiyoshi Mio / USA Today Sports Images

Wood is becoming a bona fide star for the Nats in his first full MLB season. He's on pace for more than 40 home runs and has also flashed plus defense.

 
17 of 20

AL Designated Hitter: Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles

AL Designated Hitter: Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles
Daniel Kucin Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

The trade of Rafael Devers to the NL has made O'Hearn the favorite to start at DH in the AL. He's been solid in three seasons with Baltimore, and is having his best year yet with an OPS above .850.

 
18 of 20

NL Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

NL Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Peter Aiken / USA Today Sports Images

Ohtani is the most recognizable baseball player in the world, and continues to perform as its best. He leads the NL in OPS, making him the clear choice to start at DH over Kyle Schwarber and Rafael Devers.

 
19 of 20

AL Starting Pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

AL Starting Pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Skubal won the AL Cy Young last year, and is only getting better this year. He leads the AL in pitcher WAR over Garrett Crochet with a 2.29 ERA and 2.12 FIP in 16 starts.

 
20 of 20

NL Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates

NL Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Skenes has tried to put the Pirates on his back, with a 2.12 ERA in 17 starts. His emergence as a household name in MLB further makes him a great candidate to start for the National League.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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