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Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
The rosters for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game feature 33 first-time All-Stars and 19 players under the age of 27, a fitting picture for a sport skewing younger and younger.
The American League and National League and reserves were announced Sunday for the July 16 exhibition at Globe Life Field in Texas, a week after the start was revealed.
The first group of All-Stars named Sunday included Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill, Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller and Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes.
Skenes, a candidate to start on the mound for the NL, became the first player to be named an All-Star the season after being selected first overall in the draft. Merrill, 21, is the youngest player selected to either roster. Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, 22, is the youngest player on the AL team after being voted the starter by the fans.
“It’s cool, and I’m just thankful for all of you,” Skenes told teammates in the clubhouse after being told off by manager Derek Shelton. “From the first day I walked in here, I was part of the team. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Neither player has two All-Star appearances: Royals catcher Salvador Perez, named AL reserve, and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, voted AL starter by fans, lead the pack with nine selections.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts and Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale are All-Stars for the eighth time. Harper will start after being the top pick in the NL. Freeman, Betts and Sale were selected as reserves, although Betts will not play due to a broken hand.
“It’s definitely satisfying. I appreciate it for sure,” said Sale, acquired by the Braves from Boston in December. “He took a chance and I’m happy to be able to do this for him.”
For Betts, it was his first choice as an infielder after seven as an outfielder. He was one of five Dodgers pitchers and reserves named to Sunday’s NL All-Star team, joining Freeman, catcher Will Smith, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and right-hander Tyler Glasnow. He brought the club’s total All-Stars to six after Shohei Ohtani was named the NL’s designated starting hitter Wednesday. This is the fifth consecutive year they have had at least five All-Stars.
Only the Phillies, who have the best record in the majors for most seasons, are better represented by seven players. Four men, all pitchers, were named to the NL team of the Week: Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman. He joins Harper, Trea Turner and Alec Bohm, who were all selected as starters.
The Padres have five All-Stars, including all outfield starters with Merrill joining Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar, who were both selected as starters. Closer Robert Suarez and second baseman Luis Arraez will accompany the outfielders.
The Cleveland Guardians’ top five picks in the AL. Joining starters Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan will be designated hitter David Fry, first baseman Josh Naylor and closer Emmanuel Clase. The Royals, a 106-loss team last season, were rewarded for a surprising first half with four All-Stars: Witt, Pérez and starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans.
Both AL Central teams will send more players to the game than the Orioles, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, three higher AL East contenders with three picks each.
The Orioles had Henderson, the first pick, and catcher Adley Rutschman, now a two-time All-Star, selected to start Wednesday. He joins right-hander Corbin Burnes, who was selected as a four-time All-Star.
The Red Sox had three All-Stars named Sunday: Third baseman Rafael Devers, outfielder Jarren Duran, and right-hander Tanner Houck.
Yankees closer Clay Holmes was named to the AL Sunday team after outfielders Aaron Judge and Juan Soto were selected as starters. Judge, who leads all vote-getters, is a six-time All-Star and an All-Star for the fourth straight time. It was Soto’s fourth pick and first start.
“I was probably a little surprised,” said Holmes, who is also an All-Star in 2022. “The All-Star Game is tough. I don’t think you can expect it. Going in with a zero ERA. It’s always an honor and I’m very happy to be part of the team.
The Rangers will have two players — reliever Kirby Yates and second baseman Marcus Semien — represent Texas at Globe Life Field.
Rosters expanded from 26 to 32 for the All-Star Game. It consists of starters chosen by fans, 17 players (five starting pitchers, three relievers and a backup for each position) selected in a player vote and six players (four pitchers and two position players) selected by league officials. Every club must be represented.
Of the 15 teams with one representative, the Minnesota Twins, whose shortstop Carlos Correa was named an AL reserve Sunday, has the best record. The Seattle Mariners, sitting in first place in the AL West, also have one All-Star: right-hander Logan Gilbert. First baseman Pete Alonso, a two-time Home Run Derby winner, was the only New York Mets player selected.
Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Angels lefty Tyler Anderson, Miller, Chicago White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes, St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, Chicago Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga, Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, De La Cruz, Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon are the sole representatives for their respective teams.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
