The 2017 it-doesn’t-count-for-as-much-as-it-used-to MLB All-Star Game is slated to kick off one week from tomorrow. Which is why the league unveiled the starters and reservers for both teams yesterday!
If you recall, the fan vote determines the starting position players in each league (eight for the National League and nine of the AL (including the DH)), while the pitchers and reserve players were chosen by a combination of player ballot and selections made by the commissioner’s office (because, whatever, I guess).
Joe Maddon leads the NL squad and Terry Francona leads the American League (a.k.a The Bad Guys). Here’s a short look at both rosters via CBS Sports:
The American League Squad:
C – Salvador Perez (Royals)
1B – Justin Smoak (Blue Jays)
2B – Jose Altuve (Astros)
3B – Jose Ramirez (Indians)
SS – Carlos Correa (Astros)
RF – Aaron Judge (Yankees)*
CF – Mike Trout (Angels)
LF – George Springer
AL Reserves: Gary Sanchez (C – Yankees), Yonder Alonso (1B – Athletics), Starlin Castro (2B – Yankees), Jonathan Schoop (2B – Orioles), Miguel Sano (3B – Twins), Francisco Lindor (Indians – SS), Mookie Betts (RF – Rex Sox), Avisail Garcia (RF White Sox), Michael Brantley (LF – Indians), Nelson Cruz (DH – Mariners).
AL Pitchers: Yu Darvish (Rangers), Michael Fulmer (Tigers), DallS Keuchel (Astros), Corey Kluber (Indians), Lance McCullers (Astros), Chris Sale (Red Sox), Luis Severino (Yankees), Jason Vargas (Royals), Dellin Betances (Yankees), Craig Kimbrel (Red Sox), Andrew Miller (Indians).
*Most fan votes.
The National League Squad:
C – Buster Posey (Giants)
1B – Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals)
2B – Daniel Murphy (Nationals)
3B – Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
SS – Zack Cozart (Reds)
CF – Charlie Blackmon (Rockies)
RF – Bryce Harper (Nationals)
LF – Marcell Ozuna (Marlins)
NL Reserves: Yadier Molina (C – Cardinals), Paul Goldschmidt (1B – Diamondbacks), Joey Votto (1B – Reds), Josh Harrison (2B – Pirates), DJ LeMahieu (2B – Rockies), Jake Lamb (3B – Diamondbacks), Corey Seager (Dodgers – SS), Giancarlo Stanton (RF – Marlins), Ender Inciarte (CF – Braves), Cody Bellingers (LF – Dodgers), Michael Conforto (LF – Mets).
NL Pitchers: Zack Greinke (Diamondbacks), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), Carlos Martinez (Cardinals), Robbie Ray (Diamondbacks), Max Scherzer (Nationals), Stephen Strasburg (Nationals), Wade Davis (Cubs), Brad Hand (Padres), Greg Holland (Rockies), Kenley Jansen (Dodgers), Corey Knebel (Brewers), Pat Neshek (Phillies).
That’s almost everyone, but remember, there’s always the final vote. Which means that one more player from each league can sneak in the back way.
Here are the eligible NL players:
Your 2017 @Esurance NL #FinalVote candidates:
Bour, MIA
Bryant, CHC
Rendon, WSH
Reynolds, COL
Turner, LAD pic.twitter.com/TXvyr3MMDh— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2017
And their AL counterparts:
Your 2017 @Esurance AL #FinalVote candidates:
Andrus, TEX
Bogaerts, BOS
Gregorius, NYY
Morrison, TB
Moustakas, KC pic.twitter.com/4PDPAd719k— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2017
You can cast your #FinalVote right here, so head over to MLB.com and send Kris Bryant to his third consecutive All-Star game … or, you know, someone less good.