American League All-Star Roster Breakdown

Jose Ramirez, who is named to the 2024 American League All-Star team hits a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in Cleveland on May 5, 2024. Phil Long/AP Photo

The story of the American League’s All-Star Game roster is the Cleveland Guardians, who earned five selections to lead the way. Third baseman José Ramírez returns to the starting line, to be joined by outfielder Steven Kwan.

The most impressive position on this roster is probably at shortstop, where two budding superstars will make their first appearances in the All-Star Game this year. Bobby Witt Jr. would probably have a case to start the game in most years, but he’ll come off the bench behind Baltimore’s revelation, Gunnar Henderson.

The Orioles’ future will be on display with Henderson and Adley Rutschman making their first starts. Their biggest competition in the American League East, the New York Yankees, will be represented by two-thirds of the starting outfield this year. Aaron Judge returns on their behalf while Juan Soto gets the start in his first season in the American League.

Catcher

Starter: Adley Rutschman, Orioles

Reserves: Salvador Pérez, Royals

More than maybe any position, this feels like a formal passing of the guard in the American League. Rutschman was voted a starter for the first time in his career. Perez, who collected his 1,500th career hit on Sunday, makes his ninth all-star appearance.

First Base

Starter: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

Reserves: Josh Naylor, Guardians

This marks the fourth straight year that Guerrero is an all-star, and his third as a starter. Naylor makes his first trip to the game as one of the Guardians making their debut. Guerrero’s name has been involved in trade rumors lately as the Blue Jays disappoint; he is the only Toronto player named to the roster.

Second Base

Starter: José Altuve, Astros

Reserves: Marcus Semien, Rangers; Isaac Paredes, Rays

This will be Altuve’s ninth All-Star Game, his sixth as a starter. Paredes is the lone representative from Tampa Bay and Semien makes his third all-star appearance. Semien is the only Rangers player selected this year, a disappointing number for the host team.

Shortstop

Starter: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles

Reserves: Carlos Correa, Twins; Bobby Witt Jr, Royals

Henderson, like his teammate Rutschman, is a starter for the first time. Witt will also make his first appearance, and those two figure to be in the mix to start at this position in the American League for a long time. Correa, a former No. 1 overall pick, rounds out the shortstop position.

Third Base

Starter: José Ramírez, Guardians

Reserves: Rafael Devers, Red Sox

Ramírez is appearing in his sixth All-Star Game, but this is the first time he’s been voted a starter since 2018. He continues to be the heartbeat of the lineup in Cleveland as they have sprinted to a big lead in the Central Division. Devers makes the trip back to the game in a backup capacity this year to represent the Red Sox, one of two Boston position players to earn a call.

Outfield

Starters: Aaron Judge, Yankees; Juan Soto, Yankees; Steven Kwan, Guardians

Reserves: Kyle Tucker, Astros; Jarren Duran, Red Sox; Riley Greene, Tigers

This will be Judge’s sixth all-star appearance, the fourth for Soto, and the first for Kwan. This is also the first time Soto and Kwan have been voted starters; this is the first year Soto is in the American League. Tucker was in the MVP conversation before a leg injury slowed his season. Duran and Greene will both make their first appearances in the game; Greene is one of two Tigers to get a call.

Designated Hitter

Starter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros

Reserve: David Fry, Guardians

This will be the third All-Star Game for Alvarez, but his first as the starter.

Starting Pitchers

· Garrett Crochet, White Sox

· Tarik Skubal, Tigers

· Seth Lugo, Royals

· Cole Ragans, Royals

· Logan Gilbert, Mariners

· Corbin Burnes, Orioles

· Tyler Anderson, Angels

· Tanner Houck, Red Sox

No Gerrit Cole, who spent most of the first half of the season injured for the Yankees. The first name on the list, Crochet, was a surprise Opening Day starter for the White Sox; he hadn’t started a game in the majors before the first game of the season. Lugo has been a wonderful renaissance in Kansas City this season. Burnes makes his fourth All-Star Game after being traded from Milwaukee to Baltimore this past winter. Skubal has been marvelous in Detroit and is a Cy Young candidate at the season’s mid-point. And Gilbert being the only pitcher on a stacked Mariners staff is a surprise.

Relief Pitchers

· Mason Miller, A’s

· Kirby Yates, Rangers

· Clay Holmes, Yankees

· Emmanuel Clase, Guardians

Clase is the class of the group. His numbers thus far have been ridiculous on the Guardians, who have the best record in the American League. Miller throws straight gas, lighting up the radar gun every night. Yates and Holmes have had some ups and downs this season but get the nod in the American League’s bullpen.