The newest stadium in baseball, Globe Life Field, is set to host the 2024 MLB All-Star game in less than a month. Certain positions on the ballot are held by some of the best players in the game, while others are occupied by lesser-known faces. Here are my predictions for the National League All-Star starters.
C: William Contreras, Brewers - One of the best players on a currently first-place team, the younger brother of Cardinals Catcher Wilson is an easy pick to start the All-Star Game. William currently leads all NL Catchers in OPS (.834), Avg (.305), and RBIs (48). The 2021 World Series champ is looking for his second All-Star nod.
1B: Bryce Harper, Phillies - This is honestly a toss-up between Harper and Freddie Freeman of the LA Dodgers. Harper has more HR and RBIs as of 6/18, while Freeman has a better WRC+ and Avg. Considering this is Harper's first full season at 1B, and has been the best hitter on the best team in the NL, he gets my vote and his 8th All-Star selection.
2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks - Coming off a World Series appearance last year, the D-Backs have struggled as a team in 2024. Marte has the best fWAR (3.1), WRC+ (136), and wOBA out of all NL 2B, which makes this a fairly easy selection.
3B: Alec Bohm, Phillies - The former top 3 pick is having a career-best season for the Phillies through 70 games, and rightfully earns his 1st All-Star nod. Currently leading all NL 3B in WAR (2.4), RBIs (60), and Slug% (.489), He gets the starting position, barely edging out rookie Joey Ortiz of the Brewers.
SS: Mookie Betts, Dodgers - Despite fracturing his hand on Sunday 6/16, Betts has been miles above every other NL SS, despite never playing the position prior to this season. The former MVP leads all SS in WAR, WRC+, Avg, OBP, and Slug%, and will be a lock to earn his 8th All-Star nod. Betts was the odds-on favorite to win NL MVP before his injury and was putting together a career season.
OF: Jurickson Profar, Padres- The former #1 prospect in all of baseball is living up to his previous expectations, a decade later. Profar has already put up his best career WAR in half a season and leads all qualified NL outfielders in WAR and WRC+. One of the best stories in all of baseball, Profar finally gets his first-ever All-Star selection.
OF: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers - One of the many splashes LA made in the offseason was acquiring the veteran outfielder from the Mariners. In a lineup with 3 MVPs, Hernandez has contributed massively to the Dodger's success. He leads all NL OF with 17 HR, 51 RBIs, and Slug%, and looks to become one of 3 LA All-Star starters.
OF: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres - The final NL outfield spot I believe should go to Tatis. In his first full season since being suspended for PED use in 2022, Tatis has proved the haters wrong in 2024. The platinum glove winner is 2nd in WAR among all NL OF and has provided consistent production at the plate & in the field for a Padres team looking to make a wild card run.
DH: Marcell Ozuna, Braves - This could be the most controversial selection in perhaps the entire league, I believe Ozuna should be the starting DH for the NL at the 2024 All-Star game. Despite the massive difference in WAR between Shohei Ohtani (3.8), & Ozuna (2.7), the latter is having a better season at the plate. Ozuna leads Ohtani in HRs, RBIs, Avg, Slug%, OPS, and OPS+. Ozuna has the best OPS+ (182) in the NL and has been carrying the Braves offense for the majority of the season. This selection for me comes down to who has been more impactful for their team, which I believe has been Ozuna. This will certainly not happen, and Ohtani will 100% be the starting DH come July 16th, but statistically, Ozuna deserves the selection.
SP: Ranger Suarez, Phillies - Perhaps the biggest surprise for the NL All-Stars will be when Ranger Suarez is selected as the starting pitcher for the squad. Suarez has been the best Pitcher in the NL for the best team in the NL, so this is only right. Ranger leads all NL P in WAR (2.7), ERA (1.77), and Wins with 10.
Those are my predictions for the NL All-Star starters, tune in to my next article where I will be giving my picks for the American League All-Star starters, and let me know who would've made your All-Star team.
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