2025 MLB All-Star Game: Predicting the Starting Lineups For Both Leagues

The MLB season has reached the halfway point, which means the midsummer classic is here! The National League will take on the American League in Atlanta to celebrate the best in the game. The finalists for the game have been announced. I will predict the starting lineups for both teams at the 2025 All-Star Game. 

*Stats are as of 6/30/25

American League

Catcher - Cal Raleigh (SEA)

Anyone who said Cal Raleigh would be leading the MLB in home runs right now should buy a lottery ticket. Cal was hitting under .200 at the beginning of the month before he decided to make a switch. The switch hitter decided to use a torpedo bat, but only as a lefty. He would proceed to be one of the best left handed bats in baseball, but he still lacked power from the right side. Then, he decided to use the new bat for the right side as well, and has been fantastic. He leads the MLB in home runs (32) and is tied with Seiya Suzuki for the lead in RBIs (69). 

Other Finalist: Alejandro Kirk (TOR)

First Base - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was already having a good year when the Blue Jays front office presented him with  a deal. Guerrero inked a 14-year, $500 million extension that would keep him in Toronto through 2039. This season, Guerrero leads the Blue Jays with 12 home runs and a .384 on-base percentage (OBP) so far this season. Vladdy won the 2024 Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend last year, but he has not announced whether or not he will be participating this year. 

Other Finalist: Paul Goldschmidt (NYY)

Second Base - Gleyber Torres (DET)

The Tigers have been one of best teams in baseball, and their new second baseman is a big reason. After being called “lazy” during last year’s World Series for not hustling on a cutoff throw from the outfield, Gleyber Torres has been determined to prove himself. With a newly groomed beard (Yankees wouldn’t allow it before), Torres has been making web gems at second base as well as being a very important part of their offense. 

Other Finalist: Jackson Holiday (BAL) 

Third Base - José Ramírez (CLE)

José Ramírez has been viewed as one of the most underrated players across all of baseball for quite a bit of time. So, he has quietly been putting up a stellar season that is flying under the radar. Ramírez currently leads the Guardians in AVG (.309), Home Runs (13), OBP (.371) and stolen bases (21). I believe that he will be able to get to that 40-40 mark that he was so close to last year, as he was just one home run short. 

Other Finalist: Alex Bregman (BOS) 

*Bregman has a right quad strain (questionable)

Shortstop - Jacob Wilson (ATH) 

The potential rookie of the year will be heading to Atlanta. While Bobby Witt Jr. will most likely start the game (selections are based on fan voting), I believe that Jacob Wilson should get the starting spot. As detailed in my previous article linked above, Wilson has been one of the best contact hitter in all of baseball and will make the Athletics a fun and exciting young squad to watch in the near future. 

Other Finalist: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) 

Outfield - Aaron Judge (NYY), Riley Greene (DET), Steven Kwan (CLE) 

Aaron Judge is already a locked-in starter, as he led the AL in fan voting for phase 1. Judge in leading Major League Baseball in AVG (.356) and hits (110). He is also top 5 in RBIs (67) and Home Runs (30). 

The other two starters that I believe will be representing the American League are Riley Greene and Steven Kwan. Greene has been part of an amazing Tigers team that is currently tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in baseball. As for Greene, his .296 batting average, 19 home runs and 63 RBIs lead Detroit. He also leads the team by an insane 39 total bases. This would be less impressive on a weaker team, but Greene is leading the best squad in baseball. 

The other player that I think will be part of the “starting 9” will be Steven Kwan. The Guardians have been a massive disappointment this year but their two bright spots are José Ramírez (previously mentioned) and Steven Kwan. His WAR (wins above replacement) is at 3.3, which is top of the Guardians stat sheet. His well above average batting average (.295) and slugging percentage (.419) make him a great lead off hitter. 

Other Finalists: Javier Báez (DET), Mike Trout (LAA) 

Designated Hitter - Ryan O’Hearn (Orioles) 

The Orioles have been one of the most disappointing teams in the 2025 season so far, but they do have a few silver linings. Ryan O’Hearn has been one of those in Baltimore. While being the primary designated hitter, O’Hearn is having a career year with the Orioles. Coming into this season, O’Hearn’s  maximum WAR in a season was 2.0 (2024). Only 70 games into this year (142 last year), O’Hearn is already at 1.6 WAR. 

Other Finalist: Ben Rice (Yankees) 

National League 

Catcher - Will Smith (LAD) 

Dodgers faithful did their job — that’s for sure. At every single position, a Dodger player is present during phase 2 of voting. Despite fans calling this unfair, the Dodgers are the best team in baseball (tied with Detroit for 1st place). Will Smith has been the primary backstop for Los Angeles. While being one of the best at blocking and scooping across the league, he has also posted a .413 on-base percentage, which ranks first among all Dodgers. 

Other Finalist: Carson Kelly (CHC) 

First Base - Freddie Freeman (LAD) 

Not much can top a Game 1 grand slam to win a World Series game in extra innings. Freeman ranks second among all qualified Dodgers playing in batting average (.312) and already has racked up 2.0 WAR. Freeman has especially torn up right handed pitching. He is slashing an astonishing .332/.408/.533 while playing almost everyday. When the Dodgers make a late playoff push, Freddie Freeman will be in the middle of it all. 

Other Finalist: Pete Alonso (NYM)

Second Base - Ketel Marte (ARI)

Despite only playing 57 games due to a left hamstring strain, Ketel Marte has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball. Marte is averaging just under one home run for every three games he plays. His 17 home runs are tied for 19th place, despite missing more than 20 games. This is especially impressive as a second baseman, a position not mainly known for power. I believe that Tommy Edman will end up winning (fan voting), but I believe that it should be Marte based on stats and performance. 

Other Finalist: Tommy Edman (LAD)

Third Base - Manny Machado (SD) 

The Padres are trying to keep up with the Dodgers in the NL West, but it has proved to be a tall task. Currently at 7 games back of Los Angeles, it will most likely come down to the Padres having to make a late season run. If they want to do that, they will need the 2-time Gold Glove winner, Manny Machado, to be amazing, as he usually is. He has a .293 batting average, .355 on-base percentage and 93 hits. All of those rank 1st in San Diego. Pair that with his second best WAR (2.5) and you have the perfect player down at the “hot corner”. 

Other Finalist: Max Muncy (LAD) 

Shortstop - Francisco Lindor (NYM)

This is going to be a tight race. Los Angeles and Mooki Betts against the Big Apple and Francisco Lindor. Lindor is one of four Mets that have a home run count in the double-digits (16). He has also shown elite speed on the bases, with 13 stolen bases. He also has scored on a majority of doubles hit while he was at 1st base. I believe that is one of the most underrated parts of baserunning, and can end up netting your team an extra run or two. I believe that if Lindor stays on this pace, he could make a push to a 30-30 season. 

Other Finalist: Mookie Betts (LAD)

Outfield - Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), Juan Soto (NYM), Kyle Tucker (CHC)

The Chicago Cubs have been one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball. Their 49-35 record has them atop the NL Central, leaving the Brewers by 2 games.  One of the big reasons is their dynamic duo in the outfield. 

The Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker in this year’s offseason to make up their “splashy” move. They also saw a breakout of their new emerging star, Pete Crow-Armstrong. Crow-Armstrong and Tucker rank 4th and 5th respectively across the entire MLB in WAR (4.4, 4.1). They also both rank top 10 in stolen bases with PCA at 25 and Kyle Tucker swiping 20 bags. PCA is looking like one of the faces of the league in the near future, and has even been talked about in MVP discussions. As for Tucker, he was scorching hot to start the year, but then he cooled off. However he is back to his ways as the primary right fielder and number 2 hitter in the Windy City. 

Juan Soto’s tenure with the Mets didn’t get off to the best start. After signing a 15-year, $765 million deal, there were questions surrounding Soto thinking he made the wrong choice leaving the Yankees to go cross-town to the Mets. However, Soto has been excellent as of late, boasting a team leading 20 home runs, .394 on-base percentage and 3.5 wins above replacement. With PCA at center field, I expect Tucker to shift to left field and leave Soto in right. 

Other Finalists: Teoscar Hernández (LAD), Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL), Andy Pages (LAD) 

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

The last player (but certainly not least) left on the NL roster is designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani has also begun to be used as a pitcher for 1-2 inning “mini starts”. In his last outing, he reached a career high 101.7 miles per hour on a 4-seam fastball. However, due to him only pitching a little bit so far, he won’t make an appearance from the mound during the All-Star Game. As for his hitting, he is third in homers (29) and his OPS (on-base + slugging) also ranks third at 1.021. He is guaranteed a starting spot, as he racked up the most votes of any player in the NL. 

Other Finalist: N/A

The MLB All-Star game should be a good one this year! Teams have gone back to wearing their original team uniforms like fans have been asking for many years. Phase 2 of voting resumes on Monday, June 30th, at noon ET. The game will take place on July 15th at Truist Park in Atlanta.