Top Potential First Time All-Stars for Every Team
Updated: Jun 7, 2022
Potential First Time All-Stars for Every Team
Written by: Nathan Middleton
First time All-Stars can be anyone from former top prospects having outstanding rookie years, to guys having breakout seasons, to players who have improved year after year and have reached an All-Star level, to magical first halves by guys well into their thirties. Today I will be determining who the most likely first time All-Star is for every team and rating their chances of making it to L.A. this summer.
*All stats are as of June 3rd.
Orioles: Austin Hays
The left-field wall in Baltimore has not stopped him from having the best season of his career so far with a .808 OPS for a 134 OPS+. He would be a deserving candidate even if there was no rule mandating every team has a representative.
All-Star Chances: 70%
Red Sox: Christian Vazquez
Not your typical batting profile for a catcher (or anyone in 2022) he is hitting .293 with just two home runs and 20 RBI. This choice takes position into account but I am not confident the Sox will have a first-time All-Star this year.
All-Star Chances: 15%
Yankees: Nestor Cortes
Has been one of the best pitchers in baseball so far this year and is not only a clear All-Star but a Cy Young candidate as well. Has an ERA of 1.50 which is the second-lowest in the AL (I will talk about the leader later). The ace of the best team in the AL in baseball's largest market makes him a near-lock to be heading for L.A.
All-Star Chances: 99%
Rays: Shane McClanahan
Massively improved in year two even after an excellent rookie season. He is 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA and leads the AL with 89 strikeouts. He has not walked many guys either which leads to a 7.42 SO/W ratio.
All-Star Chances 90%
Blue Jays: Alex Manoah
Another AL East starter who had a great rookie season but is improving even more in year two. Has a 1.98 ERA, a 6-1 record, and a WHIP of .911 and has even cut his walk rate by over half which is a major factor in his success.
All-Star Chances: 85%
White Sox: Luis Robert
Robert showed All-Star talent last season with a .338/.378/.567 for a .946 OPS in 68 games last season. He has not quite reached that level but still has hit .293/.325/.440 for a .765 OPS and a 120 OPS+. If he has a good June he will likely be heading to L.A. in July.
All-Star Chances: 40%
Guardians: Andres Giminez
Gimenez has had a great first half so far with a .308 average and .526 slugging percentage. One of the few non-Jose Ramirez Guardian hitters who did not fall off a cliff in May. Has flown extremely under the radar and this may hurt his All-Star chances.
All Star Chances: 25%
Tigers: Tarik Skubal
One of the only bright spots (a somewhat resurgent Miguel Cabrera is the other) on an atrocious Tigers team. Skubal has a 2.15 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 58.2 IP which leads to an ERA+ of 176 and is pretty likely to end up on the All-Star team.
All-Star Chances: 70%
Royals: Andrew Benintendi
Honestly surprised he was not an All-Star in Boston but is clearly the top candidate to be almost certainly the only Royal headed to L.A. this summer. He would be a deserving candidate as well with a .335 average and a .399 OBP for a 141 OPS+.
All-Star Chances: 95%
Twins: Luis Arraez
Is doing things differently than almost anyone else in the three true outcomes era that is modern baseball but is very productive (147 OPS+). Has a .342 average while striking out just 15 times in 155 at-bats (he has walked 23 times though) and only hitting one home run. If he keeps anything close to this level he will likely be a Commissioner’s pick as he would be a shining example of the kind of baseball the MLB Office wants to have more of.
All-Star Chances: 85%
Angels: Taylor Ward
Absolutely outstanding start for someone who has improved every year of his career. Is leading the league with a .443 OBP and a 1.087 OPS while hitting .333 with 10 HR and 26 RBI. He will be heading across town to play in the All-Star Game.
All-Star Chances: 99%
Astros: Yordan Alvarez
Has been one of the best hitters in baseball since his debut in 2019 and has signed a six-year deal for 115 million dollars (the record for a DH). So far he has 15 HR and a .281/.373/.593 slash line for a .966 OPS. Will almost certainly be heading for L.A.
All-Star Chances: 99%
Athletics: Paul Blackburn
Blackburn has been outstanding for an A’s team that has really struggled in May after a decent start. Is 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA and is an outstanding story after having an ERA of 7.60 in 79.2 innings from 2018-21. Could be heading to the All-Star Game with another solid month.
All-Star Chances: 55%
Mariners: Ty France
Underrated player who has a real chance of getting 200 hits this year (on pace for 218) and is hitting .