2022 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 92nd year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball goes to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in LA was in 1980. Now every year there is always a lot of discussion and some of it a little dated about how the teams are put together. No system will ever be perfect. Fans don’t always get it right and managers won’t either, nor the commissioner’s office. The fact that the players are able to vote for participants was a great choice and they know who is deserving. Regardless of who should or shouldn’t be in the game lets just accept that the best players will always be involved one way or another. Here are my all-stars keeping with the rules that every team be represented and a total of 32 players for each league.

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American League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Toronto Blue Jays

Their rotation is better and their lineup is deeper than it was last season. Their window to win is now.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

They made minor tweaks throughout the roster, but the core remains to contend in a tough division.

3. New York Yankees

The biggest splash they made was getting Josh Donaldson, but that might not be enough to make a long postseason push.

4. Boston Red Sox

There are too many questions in the rotation, but they will score lots of runs and stay competitive.

5. Baltimore Orioles

It’s going to be another rough year, but the prospect pool will be arriving this year.

Player to Watch: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays

Best Acquisition: P Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays

New Kid on the Block: C Adley Rutschman – Baltimore Orioles

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American League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. New York Yankees

What becomes of the rotation going towards October will determine if they are World Series contenders.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

Their offseason moves suggest they are ready and willing to do what it takes to keep them atop the American League for many years to come.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

They are primed for having some bumps in the road this season, but don’t count out their pitching depth keeping them in contention.

4. Boston Red Sox

The penny pinching will continue this year with their ace Chris Sale still recovering from Tommy John surgery.

5. Baltimore Orioles

Get ready for the youth movement to arrive as Ryan Mountcastle and Adley Rutschman make their debuts.

Player to Watch: P Tyler Glasnow – Tampa Bay Rays

Best Acquisition: OF George Springer – Toronto Blue Jays

New Kid on the Block: P Luis Patino – Tampa Bay Rays Continue reading →

American League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. New York Yankees

A stacked lineup with a legitimate ace in Gerrit Cole and a deep bullpen has them atop the contender list in the American League.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

Their pitching depth is almost unmatched in baseball. They’ll need to score plenty of runs though in a stacked league.

3. Toronto Blue Jays

The youth movement could surprise a lot of folks in a 60-game sprint to the finish.

4. Boston Red Sox

Fortunately for them they have the Baltimore Orioles to keep them out of the cellar this year.

5. Baltimore Orioles

A 60-game season could work to their advantage, but that won’t make them contenders with more playoff spots available.

Player to Watch: SS Gleyber Torres – New York Yankees

Best Acquisition: P Gerrit Cole – New York Yankees

New Kids on the Block: Toronto Trio; SS Bo Bichette, 2B Cavan Biggio, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Continue reading →

2019 MLB All-Star Teams

For the 90th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field or “The Jake”) in Cleveland, Ohio. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Cleveland was in 1997. Now every year there is always a lot of discussion and some of it a little dated about how the teams are put together. No system will ever be perfect. Fans don’t always get it right and managers won’t either, nor the commissioner’s office. The fact that the players are able to vote for participants was a great choice and they know who is deserving. Regardless of who should or shouldn’t be in the game lets just accept that the best players will always be involved one way or another. Here are my all-stars keeping with the rules that every team be represented and a total of 32 players for each league.

AVG – Batting Average

ERA – Earned Run Average

HR – Home Runs

RBI – Runs Batted In

SV – Saves

BAA – Batting Average Against

WHIP – Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched

K – Strikeouts

Stats are accurate as of July 5

* – asterisk indicates starter Continue reading →