MLB All-Star starting lineups announced, with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani named as captains for the respective squads
**Surprising Stars Shine in MLB All-Star Game Lineup**
The MLB All-Star Game voting has come to a close, and the starters for this year's game in Atlanta have been announced. Alongside the expected big names, there are several unexpected players who have made their mark in the American League.
One such player is Jacob Wilson, the rookie shortstop for the Oakland Athletics. Despite being a surprise pick, Wilson led the fan vote at his position and made history by becoming the first Athletics shortstop to win the fan vote in nearly 50 years. His impressive performance, boasting a .359 average, 9 homers, and just 19 strikeouts in 71 games, solidified his selection.
Another unexpected addition to the American League roster is Cal Raleigh, the catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Making his first All-Star start, Raleigh's selection is notable given the competitive nature of the position this season. His impressive stats, including 33 homers in 84 games, have given him the second highest WAR (5.6) for the year, only behind Aaron Judge.
Ryan O'Hearn, the designated hitter for the Baltimore Orioles, is another less well-known player who earned a starting spot. O'Hearn's selection as DH is a testament to his solid performance this season.
In the outfield, Riley Greene and Javier Báez of the Detroit Tigers join the All-Star roster, standing out as somewhat unexpected compared to the perennial stars on the roster.
These players, alongside established stars like Aaron Judge and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., make the American League roster a mix of big names and surprising new talent. Jacob Wilson's leading the fan vote was particularly notable given his rookie status and the Athletics' historical voting context.
In the National League, Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres has been named the third baseman for the All-Star game. Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers plays first base, and Will Smith catches for the National League team. Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks is the second baseman, and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves is an outfielder.
Cal Raleigh's counterpart in the American League is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, who is the first baseman for the team. Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets returns to the All-Star game after a hiatus since 2019. Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs is an outfielder for the National League All-Star game.
Jacob Wilson, Cal Raleigh, Ryan O'Hearn, Riley Greene, and Javier Báez are the unexpected players who have made their mark in this year's MLB All-Star Game for the American League. These players, along with the established stars, are set to take the field in Atlanta for an exciting showcase of talent.
The rookie shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, Jacob Wilson, and the Seattle Mariners' catcher, Cal Raleigh, are unexpected additions to the American League All-Star roster, despite impressive season statistics that led to their selections. Ryan O'Hearn, the designated hitter for the Baltimore Orioles, and outfielders Riley Greene and Javier Báez of the Detroit Tigers are also less well-known players who earned starting spots in the game.
