As we approach the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, fans are already buzzing with excitement and making their predictions for the starting lineup of the American League team. While certain positions like the outfield seem to have clear frontrunners like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker, other spots are up for grabs and will require some tough decisions.
One such position is shortstop, where the battle between Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals is heating up. Both players have been putting up MVP-caliber numbers in the first half of the season, making it a tough call for who should start in Arlington. Henderson currently holds a lead in the voting, but both players are deserving of the honor based on their impressive performances.
Moving on to the catcher position, Adley Rutschman of the Orioles and Salvador Pérez of the Royals are neck and neck in the voting. Rutschman has been consistent in his performance over the years, while Pérez is having one of the best offensive seasons of his career at 34 years old. It’s a tough choice between the two, as they both bring different strengths to the table.
At first base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays seems to be the frontrunner, but Ryan Mountcastle of the Orioles and Josh Naylor of the Guardians are not far behind. Guerrero leads in various offensive categories, but Naylor’s impressive home run and RBI numbers make him a strong contender as well.
In the second base race, José Altuve of the Astros and Marcus Semien of the Rangers are leading the pack. Altuve’s all-around performance and offensive stats give him the edge, but Semien’s defensive prowess and solid numbers make it a close call.
The third base position is a crowded field, with José Ramírez of the Guardians, Jordan Westburg of the Orioles, Rafael Devers of the Red Sox, Josh Smith of the Rangers, and Isaac Paredes of the Rays all vying for a spot. Each player brings something unique to the table, and it will be interesting to see who ultimately gets the nod.
When it comes to starting pitchers, the competition is fierce, with Tarik Skubal of the Tigers, Luis Gil of the Yankees, Corbin Burnes of the Orioles, Tanner Houck of the Red Sox, Seth Lugo of the Royals, Logan Gilbert of the Mariners, and Garrett Crochet of the White Sox all making strong cases for themselves. Burnes, with his impressive streak of quality starts and solid ERA, seems to be a frontrunner for the starting role.
As fans continue to vote for their favorite players leading up to the All-Star Game, it’s clear that the American League team will be stacked with talent. With so many deserving candidates at each position, it’s shaping up to be an exciting and competitive game in Arlington. Stay tuned for more updates on the National League close calls as we get closer to the big event.