The smartest thing concerning the All-Star Game is correct there within the identify: Everybody’s a star. There isn’t a participant you’ll watch on Tuesday evening who isn’t among the finest gamers in baseball proper now. That’s why they’re there.

But some are clearly larger stars than others. So let’s rank all of them -- or at the least the highest 50.

Now, each fan has his or her personal standards. Mine is a extremely subjective amalgam of a number of components: How every participant has performed within the first half this 12 months, how he is performed in his profession and the way a lot I wish to watch him play proper now -- which, in spite of everything, is why we have now an All-Star Game within the first place. (Players who're unlikely to be wholesome sufficient to play or have stated they aren’t enjoying aren’t included right here, equivalent to Aaron Judge and Mike Trout.)

Every single certainly one of these gamers belong right here. But listed below are the highest 50, ranked:

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH/RHP, AngelsOK, tremendous, so he’s not pitching. Ohtani nonetheless may be the most effective hitter in baseball, in addition to the truth that he’s among the finest pitchers in baseball. What he is doing proper now's in contrast to something anybody who has ever performed this sport has ever achieved, and we get to see it, proper now, in entrance of us, in his prime.

2. Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, BravesNow that his accidents are behind him, Acuña doesn’t simply seem like the celebrity we thought he was going to be again within the days earlier than the Braves had been World Series champs -- he’s higher. It certain appears to be like like he’s profitable his first MVP Award this 12 months.

3. Mookie Betts, OF, DodgersFirst off, how superior is it that Betts is within the T-Mobile Home Run Derby this 12 months? (It’s somewhat like Michael Jordan being within the three-point contest: It’s not his specialty, however you continue to wish to watch him do it.) Betts is constructing a Hall of Fame profession. He could have already got one.

4. Freddie Freeman, 1B, DodgersRemember after we all thought Freeman was simply an above-average first baseman who was by no means going to hit for a lot energy? He has a .939 OPS via 87 video games this season. The actual query: When he goes into Cooperstown, will he do sufficient at Chavez Ravine to put on a Dodgers hat?

5. Juan Soto, OF, PadresWhile the Padres have been going via all their troubles, and too many individuals nonetheless keep in mind his post-Trade Deadline “struggles” in San Diego final 12 months, Soto has quietly re-established himself again at his true celebrity stage. This offseason, it’s going to be all about Ohtani. But subsequent offseason, it’ll be all about Soto.

6. Corey Seager, SS, RangersBecause he missed a lot of the primary month of the season, Seager’s profession season has sneaked somewhat underneath the radar. He’s hitting .363 with a 1.048 OPS in 57 video games, and he’s main maybe probably the most stunning crew within the sport.

7. Gerrit Cole, RHP, YankeesWhile every thing else in The Bronx has been shaky, inconsistent or simply injured, Cole has taken the ball each fifth day for a number of years now and put the Yankees in place to win. He’s every thing the Yankees might have probably hoped he can be -- and extra.

8. Luis Arraez, 2B, MarlinsCould Arraez truly make it to .400? Time can solely inform. That he’s even within the dialog -- throughout an period when nobody even tries to get to .400 -- speaks to how transcendent Arraez has been this 12 months. Put away your arguments about batting common: Arraez has been a celebrity by any metric, and he simply may lead the Marlins to the playoffs. Better keep wholesome, Acuña: Arraez is correct behind you within the MVP race, ready to strike.

9. Corbin Carroll, OF, D-backsCarroll is that nice form of old school participant: One that’s simply nice at every thing. He hits, he runs, he fields, he makes baseball seem like the simplest sport on the planet. (It isn’t. It’s very arduous.) He very nicely might win the Rookie of the Year Award, probably unanimously. The MVP Award remains to be in his sights. If you haven’t seen him play but, the All-Star Game is a terrific alternative to get your self acquainted.

10. José Ramírez, 3B, GuardiansThe very definition of underrated, I’ve lengthy believed we’d discuss Ramírez as a lot as he deserves to be talked about someday. The ever-consistent slugger has 14 homers and 53 RBIs via 84 video games.

11. Wander Franco, SS, RaysIt makes one really feel somewhat responsible simply now having a Ray on this record, however Franco’s ascension to top-shelf shortstop has raised the ceiling on the AL’s finest crew.

12. Matt Olson, 1B, BravesHow good do it's a must to be to make Braves followers transfer on from Freddie Freeman? This good. Olson has 29 homers via 87 video games, which is second within the Majors behind simply Ohtani with 31.

13. Adley Rutschman, C, OriolesNo offense to Jonah Heim -- whom you will note in a while this record and is a really worthy All-Star catcher -- however Rutschman is strictly what a celebrity appears to be like like: Someone whose crew wasn’t in a position to do something till he received there and have become downright elite when he arrived.

14. Julio Rodríguez, OF, MarinersRodríguez and his crew have taken considerably of a step again in 2023, however that doesn’t imply the sky isn’t nonetheless the restrict for the homefield child this All-Star Game. In 15 years, when he’s a Mariners legend, they’ll be exhibiting highlights of him in entrance of his hometown followers from this very sport.

15. Nolan Arenado, 3B, CardinalsIt has been -- truthful to say -- a little bit of a tough season for the Cardinals this 12 months. But whereas Arenado’s protection has taken a (presumably momentary?) step backwards, he’s again to hitting the way in which we’ve all come to know and love. And no All-Star Game would really feel proper with out him.

16. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue JaysHe hasn’t fairly been the participant he was in 2021 over the previous couple of years. He’s nonetheless the face of his crew, one of the vital recognizable gamers within the league and, oh yeah, nonetheless youthful than Rutschman.

17. Sean Murphy, C, BravesThere was no harder choice on the poll this 12 months than National League catcher ...

18. Will Smith, C, DodgersSo be happy to place these two in both order you’d like. But ensure they’re subsequent to 1 one other.

19. Zac Gallen, RHP, D-backsLast 12 months, one of many two pitchers the Cardinals traded for Marcell Ozuna (Sandy Alcantara) received the NL Cy Young Award. This 12 months, the different pitcher the Cardinals traded for Ozuna (Gallen) may win the award.

21. Félix Bautista, RHP, OriolesSure, he’s new, and possibly this appears somewhat excessive due to it. But Bautista may be probably the most unhittable pitcher within the sport proper now.

22. Marcus Semien, 2B, RangersPerpetually underrated, he virtually received an MVP just a few years in the past with the A’s and can be a sleeper candidate for one this 12 months if it weren’t for that Ohtani fellow.

23. Yandy Díaz, 1B, RaysFor years, the baseball world has been imploring the hulking Díaz to hit the ball within the air extra. He has responded this 12 months just by hitting it all over the place, and simply as ridiculously arduous as he all the time has.

24. Bo Bichette, SS, Blue JaysWhy do the Blue Jays really feel go away us wanting extra? Try having two legacy superstars like Bichette and Guerrero in your infield and nonetheless being in fourth place within the ultra-competitive AL East.

25. Kyle Tucker, OF, AstrosFor years, we’ve been grousing how underrated and underappreciated Tucker is. He’s now the one Astros hitter within the All-Star Game (Yordan Alvarez can be out with an indirect pressure), so possibly everyone seems to be lastly noticing.

27. Luis Robert Jr., OF, White SoxFinally wholesome, Robert has change into the celebrity all of us thought he’d sometime be.

28. Randy Arozarena, OF, RaysFrom the 2020 postseason to the ‘23 World Baseball Classic, this man simply loves the massive stage. I ponder what Arozarena has in retailer for Tuesday.

29. Sonny Gray, RHP, TwinsRemember when he struggled with the Yankees? That appears like a very very long time in the past: Gray is healthier than he has ever been -- and he has been fairly nice!

30. Alexis Díaz, RHP, RedsConsidering how really thrilling Cincinnati has been this season, it's a little bit of a letdown to have just one Red on the All-Star crew, even one as terrific as Díaz has been in 2023. But I wager that is the final time there’s just one Red for an extended, very long time.

31. David Bednar, RHP, PiratesOften, an under-.500 crew will get a better on the All-Star roster, simply because they should have somebody. But Bednar has been downright unbelievable for just a few years now in Pittsburgh. This is his second straight All-Star look.

32. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, RangersSneakily, Eovaldi may be the most effective free-agent signing from this previous offseason.

33. Justin Steele, LHP, CubsWith Marcus Stroman opting to not pitch within the Midsummer Classic, his rotationmate might see motion within the sport. Steele boasts a 2.56 ERA in 16 begins this season.

34. Jonah Heim, C, RangersHeim is the beginning AL catcher, and he has us questioning: Are we at a historic excessive level for catchers? There are six nice ones this 12 months, and there isn’t even room for J.T. Realmuto.

35. Josh Jung, 3B, RangersJung's harm final 12 months was a killer for the Rangers, but it surely has allowed him to develop (and possibly have a Rookie of the Year season) on the precise proper time for this crew.

36. Ozzie Albies, 2B, BravesAnybody else discover that Albies is having the most effective season of his profession?

37. Luis Castillo, RHP, MarinersA savvy pickup for the Mariners final 12 months, he’s set to be a rotation mainstay for a few years to come back. He is, in spite of everything, nonetheless simply 30.

38. J.D. Martinez, DH, DodgersIt has been fairly a journey for Martinez. But right here he's, at his sixth All-Star Game now.

39. Adolis García, OF, RangersGarcía has been an RBI machine, and it feels just like the Home Run Derby can be when extra followers actually get to know him.

40. Camilo Doval, RHP, GiantsDoval is tied for the MLB lead in saves with 25 in 40 appearances, pitching for a crew that all the time appears to be enjoying shut video games.

41. Nick Castellanos, OF, PhilliesFair to say, when you would have instructed us there would solely be one Philly consultant on the All-Star Game this 12 months, Castellanos wouldn't have been our first guess.

42. Jorge Soler, DH, MarlinsThe man has received a World Series MVP and hit 48 homers in a season earlier than … however that is his first All-Star Game.

43. Kenley Jansen, RHP, Red SoxIt’s price giving some like to Jansen, who simply retains coming again and discovering new methods to be wonderful.

44. Salvador Perez, C, RoyalsPerez has been part of the Royals for therefore lengthy that you just neglect he wasn’t all the time the crew’s compulsory MVP. He’s the one man left on the roster with a World Series ring, don’t neglect. (And he’s nonetheless solely 33).

45. Yennier Cano, RHP OriolesCano had an 11.50 ERA in 13 video games with the Twins and Orioles final 12 months, however he has change into one of many two causes any crew that will face Baltimore within the playoffs would really feel like, in the event that they’re behind heading into the eighth inning, the sport could already be over.

46. Corbin Burnes, RHP, BrewersThe former Cy Young winner isn’t have the biggest of his seasons, however he’s nonetheless a man who you’d belief in any massive sport.

47. Pablo López, RHP, TwinsAll the love justifiably raining down on Arraez mustn't distract from López primarily being precisely what the Twins wished once they traded the hot-hitting infielder for him: A top-end starter who offers you an opportunity to win each evening out.

48. Kodai Senga, RHP MetsThe proven fact that Senga just isn't, say, Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer is hardly a strike towards him, contemplating he’s probably the most dependable starter the Mets have had this season. After all, he’s within the All-Star Game, not them.

49. Alex Cobb, RHP, GiantsOne of the feel-good tales of the All-Star Game, Cobb is lastly getting the decision after 12 very respectable years within the bigs.

50. Craig Kimbrel, PhilliesKimbrel and Jansen are always passing their standing at high 10 all-time saves leaders forwards and backwards. It’s a privilege to get to look at them collectively on this sport.

The relaxationWe’ll cease there, as a result of no All-Star deserves to be ranked final. But for the sake of completeness, listed below are the remainder of the gamers on this 12 months’s rosters, listed alphabetically:

Orlando Arcia, SS, BravesElias Díaz, C, RockiesCarlos Estévez, RHP, AngelsJosiah Gray, RHP, NationalsLourdes Gurriel Jr., OF, D-backsAustin Hays, OF, OriolesMitch Keller, RHP, PiratesGeorge Kirby, RHP, MarinersMichael Lorenzen, RHP, TigersWhit Merrifield, 2B, Blue JaysAustin Riley, 3B, BravesJordan Romano, RHP, Blue JaysBrent Rooker, DH, Athletics

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