The Texas Rangers lead the majors in having four players voted as 2023 MLB All-Star Game starters, the league announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know about listings:
- The Rangers are the first MLB team to have four All-Star Game starters selected since 2016. Texas saidAlso set a franchise record.
- The rest of the All-Star roster, including pitchers and reserve position players for both teams, will be announced Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- The game is set for Tuesday, July 11 at 8pm ET at the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park. It will air on Fox and Fox Deportes.
Full list of starters
Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani (as DH) and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. earned automatic starting spots as the top vote-getters during the first two rounds of voting.
National League
American League
AthleticInstant Analysis:
Voters awarded prizes to the best teams
The Rangers have emerged as leaders in the American League West, boasting a deep lineup and pitching staff. They were rewarded by All-Star voters for their talent. The Rangers had four starters voted in: shortstop Corey Seager, second baseman Marcus Siemian, catcher Jonah Heim and rookie third baseman Josh Jung. Competing is paying off, it seems — first-place Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz edged out highly touted Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. than Guerrero this year.)
The Braves received similar support. Atlanta will send outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Orlando Arcia. — McCullough
Potential breakout star?
That would have to be Corbin Carroll, the fleet-footed Arizona outfielder. The freshman has been instrumental in the Diamondbacks’ first-place finish in the National League West. He had plenty of tools, but his speed could be on display in Seattle. If he hits a ball in the gap, or reaches base, watch him fly. — McCullough
Big surprises
Arcia ranks fifth among NL shortstops in WAR, according to FanGraphs, behind Dansby Swanson, Geraldo Perdomo, Tyro Estrada and Francisco Lindor. But Arcia is playing the best baseball of his career, and he’s playing for the Braves, whose popularity led him to his first All-Star Game.
Nolan Arenado is having a great season. He entered Thursday’s game batting .273 with an .806 OPS. But that’s below his usual OPS, more than 70 points above his career average, as the Cardinals languish in last place. No matter: Arenado, a player on a Hall of Fame trajectory, earned his eighth All-Star berth. Jaymer Candelario and J.T. A tough break for Davis, but life isn’t perfect. — McCullough
All Star Weekly Schedule
The All-Star Game shuts down a few days worth of other MLB events. They include:
- HBCU Swingman Classic — July 7 at 10:30pm ET on MLB Network
- Futures Game — July 8 at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network and Peacock
- Celebrity Softball Game — July 8 after the Futures Game, on ESPN
- MLB Draft – Round 1 begins on July 9 at 7pm ET on ESPN
- Home Run Derby — July 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game format
As of last year, the All-Star Game would not go into extra innings after nine innings. Instead, teams compete in a best-of-three-round home run derby featuring three players from each team. Each player gets three swings, and whichever team hits the most homers wins. In the event of another tie, each manager selects one player to take three swings in a head-to-head matchup, which continues until the tie is broken.
Required reading
(Photo: Ken Blaze/USA Today)
