The 2024 All-Star starters have been selected for this years mid summer classic, and some of the names are first timers, while others are multiple time candidates. After last weeks article where I looked at what American League All-Star starters i was correct on, this weeks will be an overview of the National League.
National League All-Star Starters:
C: William Contreras, Brewers (x2) - One of the best players on a first place team in the NL Central division, the younger brother of Willson earns his first starting nod. With a .297 avg and an ops+ of 126, with much improved defense, a very well deserved selection.
1B: Bryce Harper, Phillies (x8) - The former #1 prospect in baseball was the leading vote getter in the NL, which automatically earned him his 7th starter selection. Harper leads all of MLB 1B in fWAR and has been the best hitter on a Phillies team with the best record in all of baseball.
2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (x2) - Despite an extremely underwhelming season for the D-Backs coming off a world series appearance, Marte has been raking at the plate. He ranks T1 or 1 in HR, Slug%, and OPS for all 2B. So far I am 3 for 3 on my predictions.
3B: Alec Bohm, Phillies (x1) - The former #3 overall pick is finally living up to expectations, and leads all NL 3B in fWAR. Batting .296 with already 100 hits, the first place Phillies have both corner spots in the NL infield.
SS: Trea Turner, Phillies (x3) - The Phills are the first team since the 2016 Cubs to have 3 infields be voted as All-Star starters, and this is my first incorrect selection. While Turner has only played 51 games in comparison to Mookie Betts 72, the ladder will not be healthy for the mid-summer classic. Even if Betts was out, the correct selection here should’ve been Elly De La Cruz of the Reds.
OF: Christian Yelich, Brewers (x3) - After 3 underwhelming seasons from 2020-2022, the 2018 MVP is back to his slugging ways. With the 2nd highest fWAR in the NL, a .330 avg, and a 163 ops+, Yelich has been the best player on a 1st place Brew crew squad.
OF: Jurickson Profar, Padres (x1) - The most surprising All-Star selection in the entire MLB this season comes from a once highly touted prospect. Profar has the best WAR out of any NL outfielder to go along with the top OBP in the National League. An extremely awesome story and a huge accomplishment for Profar.
OF: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres (x2) - Every player in the field at the All-Star game will either be a Padre, Phillie, or Brewer, besides Marte of the D-Backs. After missing all of 2022 with an injury and PED suspension, Tatis’ first full season since 2021 has been off to a great start. With a slash line of .279, .354, .468, he and Profar have kept the Padres firmly in a wild card position for most of the 24 campaign.
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (x4) - While i made an incredibly bold perdiciton when i said Ozuna was more deserving of the starting DH spot, Ohtani has been absolutely raking at the dish since then. When i made my predictions for the NL on June 18th, Ozuna was leading ohtani is most statistical categories, that is not the case anymore. Shohei now has 28 HR, .314 avg, an OPS of 1.036, and an NL best OPS+ of 191. So even though i thought Ohtani would get this slot because of fan voting, he has also backed it up by having the best numbers.
Those are the All-Star starters for the National league. I missed on 2 selections for the American League and 3 for the National League. In total I went 13-18 for all starting predictions, which is decent i guess. The entire All-Star list has been announced at the game will commence on July 16th at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
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