MLB All-Star Game starters revealed: Rangers lead way (2024)

The Texas Rangers lead the majors with four players voted as 2023 MLB All-Star Game starters, the league announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know about the rosters:

• The Rangers are the first MLB team with at least four elected All-Star Game starters since 2016, Texas said, also setting a franchise record.
• The remainder of the All-Star rosters, including pitchers and reserve position players for both teams, will be announced at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN.
• The game is set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 11, at the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park. It will air on Fox and Fox Deportes.

Full list of starters

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani (as DH) and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. each earned automatic starter spots as the leading vote-getters during the first of two phases of voting.

National League

• First base: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (seventh All-Star selection)
• Second base: Luis Arraez, Marlins (second)
• Shortstop: Orlando Arcia, Braves (first)
• Third base: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (eighth)
• Catcher: Sean Murphy, Braves (first)
• Designated hitter: J.D. Martinez, Dodgers (sixth)
• Outfield: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (fourth)
• Outfield: Mookie Betts, Dodgers (seventh)
• Outfield: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (first)

American League

• First base: Yandy Díaz, Rays (first)
• Second base: Marcus Semien, Rangers (second)
• Shortstop: Corey Seager, Rangers (fourth)
• Third base: Josh Jung, Rangers (first)
• Catcher: Jonah Heim, Rangers (first)
• Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Angels (third)
• Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels (11th)
• Outfield: Aaron Judge, Yankees (fifth)
• Outfield: Randy Arozarena, Rays (first)

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

The voters rewarded the best teams

The Rangers have emerged as the leaders in the American League West, boasting a deep lineup and pitching staff. They were rewarded by the All-Star voters for their prowess. The Rangers had four starters voted in: Shortstop Corey Seager, second baseman Marcus Semien, catcher Jonah Heim and rookie third baseman Josh Jung. It pays to be contending, it seems — Yandy Díaz, the first baseman for the first-place Rays, won out over the more renowned Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (It doesn’t hurt that Díaz has been a more effective hitter than Guerrero this year.)

The Braves received similar support. Atlanta will send outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Orlando Arcia. — McCullough

Potential breakout star?

It has to be Corbin Carroll, the fleet-footed Arizona outfielder. The rookie has played a big part in the rise of the Diamondbacks into first place in the National League West. He had plenty of tools, but his speed could be on display in Seattle. If he hits a ball in the gap, or just reaches base, watch him fly. — McCullough

Biggest surprises

Arcia ranks fifth among NL shortstops in WAR, according to FanGraphs, trailing Dansby Swanson, Geraldo Perdomo, Thairo Estrada and Francisco Lindor. But Arcia is playing the best baseball of his career, and he plays for the Braves, whose popularity carried him into his first All-Star Game.

Nolan Arenado is having a perfectly fine season. He entered Thursday’s games batting .273 with an .806 OPS. But that is well below his usual standard, more than 70 points below his career average OPS, and the Cardinals are languishing in last place. No matter: Arenado, a player on a Hall of Fame trajectory, earned his eighth All-Star berth. A tough break for Jeimer Candelario and J.D. Davis, but life is not fair. — McCullough

All-Star Week schedule

The All-Star Game caps off a few days’ worth of other MLB events. They include:

• HBCU Swingman Classic — July 7 at 10:30 p.m. ET on MLB Network
• Futures Game — July 8 at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network and Peaco*ck
• Celebrity Softball Game — July 8 after the Futures Game, on ESPN
• MLB Draft — Round 1 begins July 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Home Run Derby — July 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

Game format

As of last year, the All-Star Game does not head to extra innings in the event of a tie after nine innings. Instead, teams take part in a best-of-three-round home run derby with three players from each team participating. Each player gets three swings, and whichever team hits the most homers wins the game. If there is another tie, each manager will select one player to take three swings in a head-to-head contest, which will continue until the tie is broken.

Required reading

• Rosenthal: My MLB All-Star Game rosters — Notable absences, but talent isn’t lacking

(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)