With the season nearly two months old and teams approaching the 50-games-played mark, it’s time to look at those who should start the All-Star Game, as of now. Of course, should and will are two different things as the starters are voted in by the fans (not always correctly).
Here are the American League players who should be starting the All-Star Game through games played on May 19. Next will be a look at the National League.
Catcher
- Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
Look past the subpar .225 batting average, and it still becomes clear that Sanchez is the most well-deserved catcher to start for the American League.
He still has 12 home runs and ten doubles which help give him an .872 OPS which is higher than it was for him in the 2017 season.
Others in consideration: Wilson Ramos (Rays), Yan Gomes (Indians)
Infield
- First base - Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
It hasn’t necessarily been a banner year, thus far, for Abreu, but the same could be said for this position in the American League as a whole. C.J. Cron has started more than half the time as a designated hitter, Mitch Moreland hasn’t been an everyday player, and Miguel Cabrera has dealt with injuries. Abreu’s .306 batting average is tied for 11th in the American League, but his home run on Saturday gives him just two in his last 22 games (eight on the season).
Others in consideration: C.J. Cron (Rays), Mitch Moreland (Red Sox), Miguel Cabrera (Tigers)
- Second base - Jed Lowrie, Oakland Athletics
Lowrie has been one of baseball’s most pleasant surprises, nearly two months into the season, as he is on pace for a career-year at the age of 34. He is sixth in the American League with a .328 batting average, fourth with 37 RBIs, tied for seventh with a .953 OPS, and tied for 20th with nine homers.
He has only made one error in 44 starts at second base.
Others in consideration: Jose Altuve (Astros), Whit Merrifield (Royals)
- Shortstop - Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
In a position that has proven to be stacked, Lindor gets the slight advantage over a bevy of contenders. He ranks among the American League leaders in home runs (12 - tied for eighth), runs (36 - tied for second), doubles (14 - tied for fourth), OPS (.953 - tied for seventh), and batting average (.304 - 13th).
The 2016 Gold Glove winner still possesses excellent range in the field.
Others in consideration: Manny Machado (Orioles), Carlos Correa (Astros), Andrelton Simmons (Angels), Didi Gregorius (Yankees)
- Third base - Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians
Ramirez has sustained the success that helped him finish third in American League MVP voting last season. He has cranked out 13 homers and 14 doubles, has stolen six bases, and has a .302 batting average. He has an incredible 1.5 walk to strikeout ratio (24:16). His 1.007 OPS is fifth-best in the American League.
Others in consideration: Mike Moustakas (Royals), Daniel Robertson (Rays), Eduardo Escobar (Twins), Matt Chapman (Athletics)
Outfield
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
A perennial MVP candidate, Trout is off to another amazing start.
He leads the league with 38 walks which is just one less than the 39 times he has struck out. His 14 home runs and 36 runs are tied for second in the American League, his 1.069 OPS is third, and his eight stolen bases are tied for seventh.
- Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
Look at Betts' Baseball Reference page, and there is a lot of black numbers for this season as he leads the American League in a multitude of categories. Those include batting average (.368), on-base percentage (.439), slugging percentage (.767), OPS (1.205), home runs (15), doubles (18), hits (60), and runs (48).
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Judge gets the advantage over J.D. Martinez due in part to Martinez starting more than half his games as a designated hitter.
Judge is hitting a healthy .289 with an excellent .421 on-base percentage due to 36 walks. He is tied for tenth in the American League with 11 homers, fifth with 35 RBIs and 33 runs, and sixth with a .981 OPS.
Others in consideration: J.D. Martinez (Red Sox), Mitch Haniger (Mariners), Kevin Pillar (Blue Jays), George Springer (Astros)
Starting pitcher
- Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
Since being traded to the Astros last August, Verlander has been nothing short of dominant. His 1.05 ERA in his first ten starts of 2018 easily leads the majors. He also leads the majors with a 0.71 WHIP, is third in the American League with 87 strikeouts, and owns a 5-2 record. He has not given up an earned run in five starts and just one in another three.
Others in consideration: Gerrit Cole (Astros), Chris Sale (Red Sox), Charlie Morton (Astros), Luis Severino (Yankees), Corey Kluber (Indians)
