After concluding the final day of fan voting on Thursday, MLB unveiled the lineup for the highly anticipated 2023 All-Star Game. Fan votes determined who would take the field for each impressive position. This Sunday, the rest of the lineup, including pitchers and reserve players, will be announced. The Midsummer Classic will take place at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on July 11.
American League
Jonah Heim of the Texas Rangers will be the American League catcher for the upcoming game. Heim's remarkable performance this season has not gone unnoticed, as it has secured him a well-deserved spot on the All-Star team, defeating the highly respected Adley Rutschman in a thrilling final round of voting.
Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays will hold steady at first base. Diaz, at age 31, has notably earned his first All-Star Game selection, leaving American League East contender Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in his wake.
Marcus Semien, out of the Rangers, secures his place as the starting second baseman in the American League for the second time in a three-year span. The 32-year-old experienced athlete showed his dedication, playing in all 80 games for the Rangers leaders and outpacing everyone else in plate appearances, at-bats and strikeouts in the American League.
Josh Jung, a rising star and one of the leading contenders for the American League Rookie of the Year title, has now emerged as an All-Star player. Breaking barriers, he became the second rookie third baseman to secure a starting position on his team.
At shortstop is another Rangers player, Corey Seager. He beat out Bo Bichette in the voting to win his first All-Star Game inning, even though he has been out much of the season due to injury.
In the outfield will be Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angelinos and Randy Arozarena of the Rays. However, with Judge still dealing with a toe injury, he may not be able to make it.
In what will come as a surprise to no one, Shohei Ohtani of the Angelinos will be the American League's designated hitter.
MEXICAN RANDY AROZARENA STARTS MLB ALL STAR !!!!
SUPER RANDY IS NOW ALL STAR RANDY!!!!!
RANDY AROZARENA TO THE MAJOR STARS GAME! pic.twitter.com/l8fTZscqvu
- Eitan Benezra (@EitanBenezra) June 29, 2023
National League
In his debut season with the Atlanta Braves, Sean Murphy made an impressive mark by winning the prestigious All-Star title for the first time. Beating out Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Will Smith, the 28-year-old secured the starting position due to his remarkable .926 OPS, the highest of his career.
At one of the most talent-laden positions in all of baseball, the National League first base position was finally claimed by Freedy Freeman of the Dodgers, trumping Matt Olson. In his prime, the 33-year-old athlete is basking in the glory of an outstanding season.
Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez has secured his inaugural All-Star Game appearance, buoyed by his .400 lifetime batting average. Unwavering in his perseverance, Arraez ascends as the leading player in MLB, consistently notching one notable hit after another.
Meanwhile, despite a marginally less extraordinary season, the St. Louis Cardinals' skilled Nolan Arenado undeniably lays claim to the well-deserved position at third base, effortlessly outperforming his teammates in skill.
In just five seasons and 11 games, the Braves' Orlando Arcia surprised no one by earning his eighth All-Star Game appearance. He seamlessly filled the void left by Dansby Swanson, who had an outstanding offensive year. Arcia effortlessly edged out fan favorite Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets in the voting process to make it to shortstop of the game.
Joining Arcia in the outfield are Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Braves, Mookie Betts of the Dodgers and Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Rattlers. The designated hitter is J.D. Martinez of the Dodgers.
