Picking MLB NL All-Star Starters: One Month in Advance
We're now one month out from the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. Debate will be starting in earnest about who should start for each league in the Mid-Summer Classic.
Let's get ahead of the game, exactly one month in advance, by looking at the most likely starters at each position, with the help of former MLB GM Jim Bowden.
We'll start in the National League.
- Catcher: Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves
- First Base: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Second Base: Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals
- Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
- Third Base: Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals
- Left Field: Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Center Field: Jack Suwinski, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Right Field: Ronald Acuna, Atlanta Braves
- DH: J.D. Martinez, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Starting Pitcher: Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
- Relief Pitcher: David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates
If this list holds for July 11th, we'd have five first-timers. Breakout players Nolan Gorman (15 HR, 46 RBIs, .886 OPS) and yes, Jack Suwinski (12 HR, 32 RBIs, .351 on-base) are among the surprises. Rookie Corbin Carroll has lived up to expectations in Arizona, and Sean Murphy has been everything the Braves were hoping for when they traded for him, and more.
Strider will make his first All-Star game, and is probably the favorite right now for NL Cy Young Award as well. Acuna, his teammate, is the MVP favorite.
Tough to keep the major league home run leader, Pete Alonso, off the starters' list, but Freeman has been other-worldly, with a league-leading .987 OPS, a .411 OBP and a .336 average.
Still a month to go for players such as Juan Soto, Austin Riley and Luis Arraez to change minds and make it as a starter.
Photo: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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