2022 MLB All-Star Game Predictions
By Peyton Schultze
The beautiful confines of Dodger Stadium will be home to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game this summer (via The Spun).
It is officially the first day of summer, and baseball is finally in the clear.
With basketball season now gone and with the temperatures starting to get warmer and warmer, the days of 100 mile per hour fastballs, diving grabs from middle infielders and immense moonshots into the upper deck off the bat of a Louisville Slugger are officially upon us. It has been a great year for MLB thus far, with top performances from many of the game’s best players.
That sets the tone for the MLB All-Star Game, coming July 19th to Dodger Stadium. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the game’s best will head toward Chavez Ravine for a weekend full of the sport’s best and brightest stars, from Aaron Judge to Corbin Burnes to Mike Trout.
As we get closer and closer to July, here are our predictions for which players will appear at the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium:
National League
Pete Alonso has powered the Mets’ offense to the top of the National League throughout the 2022 season (via ESPN).
Catcher: Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs (Starter) and Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds (Reserve)
The Cubs have been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this year, but their longtime catcher is putting together one of the best seasons of his career. Although it may be his final act in Chicago, Contreras is hitting .279 with 12 home runs, and looks like a lock to start for the National League in July. Meanwhile, the Reds’ lone selection comes from catcher Tyler Stephenson, who has been elite at the plate this season. With 5 home runs, 31 RBIs and a very nice .301 batting average, Stephenson has been one of the very few bright spots for a Cincinnati team that has been looking for answers all year.
First Baseman: Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals (Starter) and Pete Alonso, New York Mets (Reserve)
The NL first baseman class is loaded, but only two figure to come out of the group. Goldschmidt’s .339 average makes him the clear favorite to start the All-Star Game, but his 16 home runs and 58 RBIs really set it in stone that he’ll be this year’s starter. This comes even with the exceptional play of Pete Alonso this year, who is having a year to remember in his own right. One of the game’s great sluggers, ‘The Polar Bear’ leads the National League in home runs (19) and RBIs (64), and is a lock to once again take the stage at this year’s All-Star Game.
Second Baseman: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Miami Marlins (Starter) and Jeff McNeil, New York Mets (Reserve)
For as great as the first baseman are in the NL, the second baseman group really comes down to two names. Chisholm Jr. of the Marlins is a pure star and will be a welcome addition to the All-Star festivities, but his play at the plate has been solid as well. With 13 home runs and 42 RBIs, Miami’s second baseman looks set for his first appearance. In addition, McNeil of the Mets deserves a spot after a very nice first half. Hitting .327 with 33 RBIs, McNeil finds a way to get on base at an impressive clip and belongs among the game’s best this summer.
Shortstop: Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers (Starter) and Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves (Reserve)
The Dodgers’ shortstop will likely lead the way behind his home crowd in this summer’s All-Star Game, especially after a great first half that has him hitting .301 with 9 home runs and 49 RBIs. The former National once again finds himself in the MVP conversation, and he has been a valuable piece for a Dodger team that has been up and down this year. Meanwhile, Swanson’s sudden rise at the plate has been something to behold. The Braves’ shortstop has always been great in the field, but a .293 average with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs has paved the way toward a spot at Dodger Stadium.
Third Base: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (Starter) and Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals (Reserve)
Before injuring his ankle over the weekend, Machado was the favorite for the NL MVP award. Hitting .328 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in addition to his all-world defense, Machado’s great first half performance helped lead the way for a Padres’ team that is contending, yet still misses Fernando Tatis Jr. Yet the always-steady Arenado seems like another lock for the All-Star Game, especially considering the Cards’ status in the NL Central. With great defense, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs, Arenado will return to his So Cal roots once again this summer.
Despite an elbow injury, Bryce Harper has been nearly impossible to get out at the plate this season (via Sportsnet).
Outfield 1: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (Starter) and Joc Pederson, San Francisco Giants (Reserve)
Before going down with a rib injury, Betts was arguably the best player in the National League. With 17 home runs, 40 RBIs and 53 runs scored, Betts was finding a way to do it all in addition to his usual Gold Glove defense. While he should still be selected as a starter, Pederson of the Giants will likely fill the void in his former home of Dodger Stadium. With an improved .271 batting average to go along with 14 home runs and 36 RBIs, it has been an impressive run this season for the powerful lefty who will look to make the second All-Star Game of his career.
Outfield 2: Juan Soto, Washington Nationals (Starter) and Starling Marte, New York Mets (Reserve)
Soto will be the Nationals’ lone All-Star amid their horrendous year, but he’ll find a way into the starting lineup despite some decreased numbers. Although he is only hitting .218, Soto’s 14 home runs and 53 base on balls will find a way to sneak him into the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Marte has been great in his first year with the Mets. Hitting .282 with 7 home runs and 35 RBIs, the Mets’ outfielder has played great defense in addition to nice numbers at the plate and on the base paths.
Outfield 3: Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves (Starter) and Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies (Reserve)
Acuna has been starting to find his groove as of late, but there is no doubt that his return from injury has sparked the Braves’ recent run of winning. With a .272 average and 6 home runs, the Braves’ star outfielder seems like he’s only going to get better as the All-Star Game nears. And while it may be a bit of a surprise to see the veteran Blackmon in the reserve section, he has quietly been great this season. With a .270 average, 11 home runs and 37 RBIs, it would be a nice story to see the four-time All-Star make a return to the big stage in July.
Designated Hitter: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (Starter) and Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (Reserve)
Harper is typically one of the easier All-Star selections due to his status as one of the game’s greatest sluggers. Batting an exceptional .326 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, Harper is a top-three player in the sport and could be on his way to another MVP season in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Riley fills in the void as the final All-Star selection, largely due to his role in the Braves’ recent run of winning. With 18 home runs, 41 RBIs and a great .519 slugging percentage, the Braves’ third baseman is worthy of being selected to the All-Star Game this summer.
Starting Pitcher 1: Joe Musgrove, San Diego Padres
The Padres’ top pitcher was very impressive last season, but he has taken his game to the next level this season. In dominating NL West hitters with an 8-0 record and the best ERA in Major League Baseball at 1.60, Musgrove appears to be in line to not only start this year’s All-Star Game, but potentially walk home with the Cy Young award at year’s end. It has been a phenomenal year for the righty, and even more great things may be on the way.
Starting Pitcher 2: Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee’s Burnes stands alone as the reigning NL Cy Young award winner, and his 2022 production has done nothing to take away his status as one of the game’s top flamethrowers. Burnes is a stud on the mound, compiling 110 strikeouts so far to go along with a 2.31 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. While his win/loss numbers are not great, those prior numbers point toward future hardware on the way for the Brewers’ ace to go along with his second consecutive All-Star Game appearance.
Starting Pitcher 3: Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
The Marlins have some real promise in the starting rotation, especially with the high-velocity talents of Alcantara leading the way. The Miami righty has been exceptional this season and looks like a top-ten pitcher in the sport, helping lead the top of the Marlins’ rotation with a 7-2 record, a 1.72 ERA, and 90 strikeouts. Alcantara has only fallen short of making it to the 7th inning of a game one time since May 2nd, proving his status as one of the NL’s most valuable pitchers.
Amid injuries to Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin has carried the load at the top of the Los Angeles rotation (via Los Angeles Times).
Starting Pitcher 4: Tony Gonsolin, Los Angeles Dodgers
Even in a rotation with Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin has found a way to impress his peers. Although he falls just short of qualifying for league leaders, Gonsolin’s increased aggressiveness on the mound has paved the way to an incredible 8-0 record with a 1.42 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. His strikeout numbers may not be on par with some of his other top peers, but the underrated LA gem will no doubt be selected to represent the Boys in Blue at Chavez Ravine in July.
Starting Pitcher 5: Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
It was not the easiest start to the season for Wheeler after his top-tier play last season, but he has nicely recovered and still remains one of the best pitchers in baseball. With a 2.69 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 70.1 innings pitched, Wheeler has helped the Phillies recover from their awful start to the season and has helped lead them back near the NL playoff picture. Another dominant starter worthy of being selected to this year’s great class of starting pitching.
Starting Pitcher 6: Carlos Rodón, San Francisco Giants
It has been a seamless fit in San Francisco for Rodón, immediately helping slot in as the Giants’ ace for this season. The tricky lefty has had the occasional bump in the road in a few of his starts, but with 91 strikeouts to go along with a great 2.84 ERA, there is no doubt which pitcher in the San Francisco rotation deserves to get the ball at this year’s All-Star Game. Do not be surprised if this is only the first of several straight appearances at the Summer Classic for the Giants’ lefty.
Starting Pitcher 7: Max Fried, Atlanta Braves
A World Series hero and one of the game’s top young pitchers, it seems like a surprise that this would be Fried’s first All-Star selection. But with a clean 7-2 record that is backed up by a nice 2.77 ERA and a 83-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Fried looks like a lock and narrowly edged out fellow Braves’ starter Kyle Wright for one of the NL’s final All-Star spots.
Starting Pitcher 8: Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
The lone candidate for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gallen has led the way for the Arizona rotation with some impressive numbers. Although Merrill Kelly and Madison Bumgarner have put together nice seasons as well, Gallen’s four wins and 2.91 ERA seem like it will be enough to push him past some of his peers and sneak his way into the All-Star Game. Gallen’s first selection may not be his last, but it’s been a very nice year for the 26-year old righty.
Relief Pitcher 1: Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers
The game’s primary wipeout closer, Hader of the Brewers is once again putting on a show. With the second most saves in baseball (20) and a miniscule ERA of 0.87, Hader remains arguably the most unhittable pitcher in all of baseball in the back end of the Brewers’ bullpen. The sidewinding lefty is a lock for the 4th selection of his career.
Relief Pitcher 2: Kenley Jansen, Atlanta Braves
4-0 and 18 saves has paved the way for the legendary closer to make an anticipated return to Dodger Stadium for this year’s All-Star Game despite some early concern, especially amid his recent dominance on the mound in Atlanta. Amid the Braves’ hot streak in June, Jansen has been especially impressive in deploying a 0.91 WHIP with an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 41/7.
Relief Pitcher 3: David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have found some impressive success from unlikely candidates this season, but Bednar’s emergence as a flat out weapon out of the bullpen has been a major surprise. With 11 saves and a 1.34 ERA, the 27-year old righty has dominated all season long and looks like the favorite to be selected as the Pirates’ lone All-Star.
Team Breakdown
Atlanta Braves (5): Swanson, Acuna, Riley, Fried, Jansen
Los Angels Dodgers (3): Turner, Betts, Gonsolin
New York Mets (3): McNeil, Alonso, Marte
San Diego Padres (2): Machado, Musgrove
San Francisco Giants (2): Pederson, Rodon
St. Louis Cardinals (2): Goldschmidt, Arenado
Miami Marlins (2): Chisholm Jr., Alcantara
Milwaukee Brewers (2); Burnes, Hader
Philadelphia Phillies (2): Harper, Wheeler
Arizona Diamondbacks (2): Gallen
Cincinnati Reds (1): Stephenson
Chicago Cubs (1): Contreras
Colorado Rockies (1): Blackmon
Pittsburgh Pirates (1): Bednar
Washington Nationals (1): Soto
American League
It has been another very successful year on both sides of the field for Red Sox shortstop, Xander Bogaerts (via NBC Sports).
Catcher: Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays (Starter) and Jose Trevino, New York Yankees (Reserve)
The Blue Jays may end up having a big group of All-Stars this season, but no player has been more of a surprise than Kirk. Hitting .307 with 6 home runs and 22 RBIs, Kirk has been a major breakout star this season for Toronto, paving the way to potential Silver Slugger honors later in the year if his pace continues. Meanwhile, Jose Trevino has been great for the Yankees this season, hitting .278 on his own with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs in addition to solid defense. The AL East will see plenty of representation at this year’s game, especially behind the plate with Kirk and Trevino looking like locks.
First Baseman: Ty France, Seattle Mariners (Starter) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (Reserve)
One of the tougher races in the American League comes at first base, where plenty of competition has risen. Yet the Mariners’ Ty France has risen to star levels this season behind a .314 average with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs, which should make this as easy choice for baseball fans. Meanwhile, last year’s AL MVP runner-up in Guerrero Jr. should be right back at the All-Star Game after a first half with 17 home runs and 41 RBIs, bringing even more superstardom for the anticipated Los Angeles event.
Second Baseman: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (Starter) and Santiago Espinal, Toronto Blue Jays (Reserve)
Altuve is always going to have some type of impact at All-Star festivities if his career numbers continue at his historic clip, which has been exactly what has happened this year. Hitting .274 with 12 home runs and 23 RBIs has Altuve out ahead of the rest of the American League second baseman pack, especially with Houston at the top of the AL West. Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal has been a surprise this year for the Blue Jays. With solid numbers across the board with a .274 batting average and 32 RBIs, the Toronto second baseman is in a nice position to take the field at Dodger Stadium this summer.
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox (Starter) and Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox (Reserve)
A loaded group of American League All-Stars is led by the talents of Xander Bogaerts again, who continues to rake for the Red Sox. With a staggering .332 average, .882 OPS and 31 RBIs, the Boston shortstop looks like he will make the 4th All-Star Game of his solid career. In addition, although he narrowly edges out Bo Bichette, Tim Anderson of the White Sox should make this year’s team as well. A true star for the White Sox, Anderson is hitting .357 with 5 home runs at the top of the order for a Chicago team that really relies on his bat each and every night.
Third Base: José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians (Starter) and Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (Reserve)
While Aaron Judge and Mike Trout have been exceptional this year, don’t forget about Ramírez on the Guardians. An insane clip of .305, 16 home runs and 62 RBIs has the Cleveland third baseman in a prime position to start this year’s game, which may even have him in the AL MVP conversation later this year if his pace continues. Meanwhile, Devers remains a hitting machine with a .330 average with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs of his own, and would likely start at any other infield position except for third base. Both studs are locks for this year’s ballgame, and remain two of the best hitters in all of baseball.
Aaron Judge’s incredible 2022 season will surely give him a spot in the AL starting lineup at this year’s All-Star Game (via CBS Sports).
Outfield 1: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (Starter) and Andrew Benintendi, Kansas City Royals (Reserve)
The clearest All-Star of the American League bunch, Yankees’ star Aaron Judge is having a year for the ages. With 25 home runs and 50 RBIs thus far, Judge is well on his way to one of the great New York seasons in recent memory and is on pace to take home AL MVP honors. Meanwhile, Benintendi looks like the lone Royal who will appear at the All-Star Game this year. Although the power numbers remain a question mark, a .298 average with 25 RBIs should be enough to send the Kansas City outfielder to Los Angeles for the Summer Classic.
Outfield 2: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (Starter) and Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins (Reserve)
There is practically nothing that Mike Trout can’t do when healthy. Even amid the historic campaign from Judge, it remains impressive in its own that Trout even remains a real threat to the AL MVP race. Yet 21 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .290 average speak for themselves, which is why Trout remains the best player of his generation. Yet Buxton will be a nice addition to the All-Star festivities, especially after he has clubbed 19 home runs for the first place Twins. Both of these players remain the best of the best in center field across Major League Baseball.
Outfield 3: George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays (Yankees) and Taylor Ward, Los Angeles Angels (Reserve)
The often-injured Springer may struggle to stay on the field, but he’s still a top option among AL outfielders when healthy. Hitting .263 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs, Springer has once again been a great presence at the top of the lineup for the championship-hopeful Jays despite some ups and downs this season in a brutal AL East. Meanwhile, the Angels’ Ward may be the toughest selection of any AL reserve, especially considering the injury that sidelined him for part of the season. Yet a .313 average with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs is too hard to ignore, which should be enough to grant Ward the first All-Star appearance of his career.
Designated Hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros (Starter) and Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels (Reserve)
Two of the most fearsome hitters in all of baseball, Yordan Alvarez and Shohei Ohtani could be in a tight battle to the very end for which player gets the starting nod at DH. Alvarez certainly has all the makings of a star slugger with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and a .623 slugging percentage, and deserves to play a role at the festivities in July. Yet last year’s AL MVP has been great again at the plate this year for a shaky Anaheim team, batting .252 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. If their current play continues, these two superstar bats out of the AL West look like sure marks to take over Dodger Stadium next month.
Starting Pitcher 1: Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa has their new ace in former USF product Shane McClanahan, a hard-throwing southpaw who has confused hitters all year long. With a 7-3 record and a league-leading 113 strikeouts to back up a dazzling 1.81 ERA, McClanahan has been one of the breakout stars of the 2022 season and could find himself in a position to take the ball on the Dodger Stadium mound to start this year’s All-Star Game for the American League.
Starting Pitcher 2: Nestor Cortes, New York Yankees
We saw flashes from Cortes last season, but nobody could have expected this type of rise to the top. A soft-throwing lefty, Cortes has confused hitters all season long with 6 wins, 75 strikeouts, a 1.94 ERA and a sensational WHIP at 0.93, helping lead the Yankees’ rotation to the top of baseball as we near July. It has been a year to remember for the Yanks, and few players have defined their sudden surge in a way quite like Cortes.
Starting Pitcher 3: Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
After plenty of struggles last season as a member of the Boston Red Sox, few could have expected Martin Perez to put together this type of season. With a 4-2 record, 65 strikeouts and a great 2.10 ERA, Perez has found himself in the middle of the AL Cy Young race and has been a true ace for a Rangers’ team that is starting to get back on track. A surprise story, Perez will be one of the most unlikely All-Stars this July if things continue at this pace.
Emmanuel Clase has been a wipeout closer for the Guardians this year with a high-velocity fastball that has been tough to hit (via Cleveland.com).
Starting Pitcher 4: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
The future Hall of Famer has returned from injury in a daring way, helping lead the Astros to the top of the AL West and looking like the former ace who has dominated hitters his entire career. With a great 8-3 record to go along with a 2.30 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP, Verlander ranks near the top of the American League in many categories. Home runs have bitten the right-hander at times this year, but the consistent righty is on his way to a comeback story for the ages.
Starting Pitcher 5: Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
Fans have grown accustomed to seeing the occasional implosion on the mound from the Yankees high-priced star, but his positives far outweigh his negatives. Cole is still one of the game’s best pitchers with 103 strikeouts, a nice 6-1 record and a solid 3.14 ERA, and although his dominance has not quite reached the apex that New York fans have hoped for in 2022, he has certainly done enough to once again appear at the Summer Classic.
Starting Pitcher 6: Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays
The state of American League pitching has certainly risen this year, especially when you consider Manoah is not even the very top pitcher in this year’s class. With a phenomenal 8-2 record to go along with a 2.00 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP, the fiery young right-hander has become a true ace at the top for the Blue Jays’ loaded rotation. Manoah looks like a potential All-Star for years to come, and he’ll have his moment to be introduced to many fans for the first time at this year’s Summer Classic.
Starting Pitcher 7: Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
The Oakland A’s have been truly feeble this season, but Paul Blackburn has been surprisingly excellent considering his surroundings. In 13 starts, Blackburn has put together a 2.26 ERA with 6 wins and 51 strikeouts, helping to give the struggling A’s a fighting chance in each of his starts. While a lack of innings pitched may be a challenge for him, he is worthy of being Oakland’s lone candidate at this year’s game.
Starting Pitcher 8: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have had a miserable season at the bottom of the AL Central, but Skubal has been a surprise at the top of the Detroit rotation. In 13 starts, the Tigers’ young lefty has found a way to to dominate hitters with a solid 3.13 ERA to go along with a great strikeout-to-walk ratio of 79/14. There have not been many positives this year for the Tigers, but the emergence of a potential ace should certainly have fans excited for the future.
Relief Pitcher 1: Jorge Lopez, Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have quietly been impressive this year considering their young roster, but Lopez has been flat out dominant at the end of ballgames when called upon. With an incredible 0.79 ERA and 11 saves on the season, Lopez has been a force and continues to strike out batters at a high clip. The walks are still a concern and he often dances with danger, but Lopez has done enough to earn the first All-Star selection of his career.
Relief Pitcher 2: Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians
Clase has started to become more of a popular name among American League relievers in recent years, but he has been flat out special this season. With 15 saves and a 1.59 ERA and only three walks on the entire season, Clase’s high-velocity impact has been immense at the end of games for a surprise Cleveland team. Clase certainly has a case for heading to Dodger Stadium this summer.
Relief Pitcher 3: Clay Holmes, New York Yankees
Even with Aroldis Chapman sidelined with an Achilles injury, the Yankees have found plenty of pitching in their bullpen. Chief among them is Clay Holmes, a star righty who has a minuscule 0.55 ERA with 4 wins and 11 saves under his belt. A quick rise to the top may have many fans wondering who Holmes is, but he’s certainly worthy of a selection to this year’s All-Star Game.
Team Breakdown
New York Yankees (5): Trevino, Judge, Cortes, Cole, Holmes
Toronto Blue Jays (5): Kirk, Guerrero Jr., Espinal, Springer, Manoah
Houston Astros (3): Altuve, Alvarez, Verlander
Los Angeles Angels (3): Trout, Ward, Ohtani
Boston Red Sox (2): Bogaerts, Devers
Cleveland Guardians (2): Ramirez, Clase
Baltimore Orioles (1): Lopez
Chicago White Sox (1): Anderson
Detroit Tigers (1): Skubal
Kansas City Royals (1): Benintendi
Minnesota Twins (1): Buxton
Oakland Athletics (1): Blackburn
Seattle Mariners (1): France
Tampa Bay Rays (1): McClanahan
Texas Rangers (1): Perez