Final Predictions for 2013 MLB All-Star Team Rosters

Joel ReuterJun 8, 2018

With the 2013 MLB All-Star Game rosters set to be announced on Saturday, it is time for one final go at predicting who will earn the trip to New York for this year's Midsummer Classic.

I first made predictions as to whom would be on the team's back in February and then just last week gave another go at selecting the 34-man rosters (pre-Final Vote).

With a few changes made to last week's predictions, here are my final All-Star guesses, as well as a look back at my previous predictions.

* Updated AL and NL vote totals courtesy of MLB.com

AL Catchers

1 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Joe Mauer (MIN)

Reserves: Salvador Perez (KC), Matt Wieters (BAL)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Joe Mauer (MIN)

Reserves: Jason Castro (HOU), Carlos Santana (CLE)

Final Predictions

Starter: Joe Mauer (MIN)

Reserves: Jason Castro (HOU), Carlos Santana (CLE)

Overview

Joe Mauer is roughly 1.2 million votes up on Orioles catcher Matt Wieters in the final voting update, and he's earned it with a .316/.399/.474 line and 49 runs scored on his way to what will be his fourth All-Star start.

Jason Castro (.794 OPS, 11 HR) seems like the most likely Houston All-Star, especially with Jose Altuve roughly the fifth-best second baseman in a deep AL pool at the position.

There's a chance Wieters earns a spot as well, but Carlos Santana (.827 OPS, 10 HR) is the far more deserving candidate, as he's in the midst of a breakout season for the Indians.

AL 1st Basemen

2 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Albert Pujols (LAA)

Reserves: Edwin Encarnacion (TOR), Prince Fielder (DET)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Chris Davis (BAL)

Reserves: Edwin Encarnacion (TOR), Prince Fielder (DET)

Final Predictions

Starter: Chris Davis (BAL)

Reserves: Edwin Encarnacion (TOR), Prince Fielder (DET)

Overview

Chris Davis is having an amazing season with an MLB-high 32 home runs and a 1.137 OPS, and he's currently up by about 2.2 million votes on Prince Fielder and second among all AL players in votes, so he'll be starting.

Edwin Encarnacion (.887 OPS, 23 HR, 66 RBI) was one of the biggest snubs last year, but he won't be left off the roster this time around, as he's been a fantastic run producer once again.

Though he's not having the best season of his career, Prince Fielder (.826 OPS, 14 HR, 63 RBI) is still a deserving candidate and gets the nod over James Loney (.850 OPS, 42 RBI) and Mark Trumbo (.787 OPS, 18 HR, 52 RBI) here.

AL 2nd Basemen

3 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Robinson Cano (NYY)

Reserves: Dustin Pedroia (BOS)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Robinson Cano (NYY)

Reserves: Howie Kendrick (LAA), Dustin Pedroia (BOS)

Final Predictions

Starter: Robinson Cano (NYY)

Reserves: Jason Kipnis (CLE), Dustin Pedroia (BOS)

Overview

Leading by about 1.1 million votes over Dustin Pedroia, the best slugger at the second-base position is Robinson Cano (.917 OPS, 20 HR, 56 RBI), who will earn his fourth straight MLB All-Star Game start.

Though Pedroia won't catch Cano in the voting, he's all but a lock to make the roster, with a .323/.405/.445 line and 106 hits as a catalyst for Boston's improved lineup.

Last time around, Howie Kendrick (.831 OPS, 9 HR, 38 RBI) had a spot on the AL team. While he is still more than deserving, I think Jason Kipnis (.925 OPS, 13 HR, 54 RBI) gets the nod over him after hitting .419/.517/.699 with 25 RBI in the month of June.

AL 3rd Basemen

4 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Miguel Cabrera (DET)

Reserves: Adrian Beltre (TEX), Evan Longoria (TB)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Miguel Cabrera (DET)

Reserves: Josh Donaldson (OAK), Evan Longoria (TB), Manny Machado (BAL)

Final Predictions

Starter: Miguel Cabrera (DET)

Reserves: Josh Donaldson (OAK), Evan Longoria (TB), Manny Machado (BAL)

Overview

The leading vote-getter in the American League with roughly 5.8 million on last update, Miguel Cabrera is having a phenomenal follow-up season to his MVP campaign last year. He currently leads all of baseball with a .364 batting average and 85 RBI to go along with 26 home runs.

Third base in the AL is as deep as any position in baseball this year, and it looks very likely that there will be four players at that position selected to the roster.

Josh Donaldson (.913 OPS, 14 HR, 55 RBI) and Manny Machado (.833 OPS, 38 2B, 42 RBI) would be first-time All-Stars, while Evan Longoria (.908 OPS, 17 HR, 47 RBI) would earn the honor for the fourth time. Adrian Beltre (.823 OPS, 14 HR, 42 RBI) loses out on the numbers game.

AL Shortstop

5 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Jose Reyes (TOR)

Reserves: Elvis Andrus (TEX)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: J.J. Hardy (BAL)

Reserves: Jhonny Peralta (DET)

Final Predictions

Starter: J.J. Hardy (BAL)

Reserves: Jhonny Peralta (DET)

Overview

Holding a 1 million-vote lead over Jhonny Peralta, it looks as though J.J. Hardy will make his first All-Star start and second All-Star appearance, after getting the nod back in 2007 as a member of the Brewers.

With Derek Jeter injured and Jose Reyes missing most of the first half, the shortstop position is fairly thin in the AL this season, but there are a handful of viable backups.

Jhonny Peralta (.819 OPS, 37 RBI) and Jed Lowrie (.800 OPS, 34 RBI) are both worthy of spots, but it came down to a numbers game, and Lowrie wound up snubbed.

AL Outfielders

6 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starters: Jose Bautista (TOR), Mike Trout (LAA), Josh Hamilton (LAA)

Reserves: Yoenis Cespedes (OAK), Brett Gardner (NYY), Austin Jackson (DET), Adam Jones (BAL)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starters: Mike Trout (LAA), Adam Jones (BAL), Jose Bautista (TOR)

Reserves: Nelson Cruz (TEX)

Final Predictions

Starters: Mike Trout (LAA), Adam Jones (BAL), Jose Bautista (TOR)

Reserves: Nelson Cruz (TEX), Daniel Nava (BOS)

Overview

Mike Trout and Adam Jones are both over 2 million votes ahead of the rest of the pack in AL outfield voting, but the third outfield spot has been a toss-up, with Jose Bautista just recently passing Nick Markakis and holding a 140,000-vote lead in the recent update.

The AL outfield crop is weak this year, and in my previous predictions, the only backup I selected was Nelson Cruz (.855 OPS, 20 HR, 61 RBI), but as a number of commenters pointed out, it's unlikely the rosters won't have at least five outfielders.

Markakis is a decent candidate to get the nod, but my choice is Daniel Nava (.812 OPS, 10 HR, 49 RBI), who is enjoying a surprise breakout season at the age of 30.

AL Designated Hitters

7 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: David Ortiz (BOS)

Reserve: None

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: David Ortiz (BOS)

Reserve: Adam Lind (TOR)

Final Predictions

Starter: David Ortiz (BOS)

Reserve: None

Overview

It comes as no surprise that David Ortiz has run away with the DH voting, as he has over double the votes that second-place Lance Berkman does.

"Big Papi" missed time early in the season but has posted a 1.009 OPS with 57 RBI in 66 games since returning, and even at 37 years old, he's still an elite run producer.

Previously I had Adam Lind (.918 OPS, 11 HR, 33 RBI) on the roster, and he's certainly deserving, but with my original roster having just four outfielders and that seeming unlikely, he seemed like the most likely to be snubbed in place of an outfielder.

AL Starting Pitchers

8 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Felix Hernandez (SEA), Josh Johnson (TOR), Jarrod Parker (OAK), David Price (TB), Chris Sale (CWS), Max Scherzer (DET), Justin Verlander (DET), Jered Weaver (LAA)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Clay Buchholz (BOS), Yu Darvish (TEX), Felix Hernandez (SEA), Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA), Chris Sale (CWS), Anibal Sanchez (DET), Ervin Santana (KC), Max Scherzer (DET), James Shields (KC)

Final Predictions

Clay Buchholz (BOS), Bartolo Colon (OAK), Yu Darvish (TEX), Felix Hernandez (SEA), Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA), Hiroki Kuroda (NYY)*, Chris Sale (CWS), Anibal Sanchez (DET), Max Scherzer (DET), James Shields (KC)

*Injury Replacement for Clay Buchholz

Overview

There are a handful of options to earn the starting nod for the American League in this year's MLB All-Star Game, though Max Scherzer (13-0, 3.09 ERA, 10.7 K/9) has to be considered the front-runner, considering it's his manager, Jim Leyland, who will be making the decision.

Aside from him, Yu Darvish (8-3, 2.78 ERA, 12.0 K/9) looks like the other leading candidate. Seattle teammates Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma and Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez should also be locks to make the team.

Chris Sale and James Shields look like the best bets to be the lone representatives for their respective teams, while 40-year-old Bartolo Colon and 38-year-old Hiroki Kuroda have found the fountain of youth this season.

The injured Clay Buchholz likely won't be healthy to pitch in the game, but I still expect him to be named to the roster for accolades' sake. Ervin Santana and Justin Masterson have cases to be on the team as well, but there are only so many spots.

AL Relief Pitchers

9 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Josh Fields (HOU), Joe Nathan (TEX), Chris Perez (CLE), Mariano Rivera (NYY), Fernando Rodney (TB)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Grant Balfour (OAK), Casey Janssen (TOR), Joe Nathan (TEX), Mariano Rivera (NYY)

Final Predictions

Grant Balfour (OAK), Brett Cecil (TOR), Joe Nathan (TEX), Mariano Rivera (NYY)

Overview

In the final season of his illustrious career, Mariano Rivera would likely have made the AL roster regardless of what his numbers looked like at the break, but he's 28-of-29 with a 1.44 ERA on the year, and there would be no more fitting end to his All-Star career than for him to slam the door with a save.

Beyond Rivera, Joe Nathan (27-of-28 SV, 1.47 ERA) and Grant Balfour (20-of-20 SV, 1.91 ERA) have both been elite and should earn spots on the team, with Balfour a potential first-timer.

As for the fourth reliever spot, I originally had Casey Janssen (17-of-18 SV, 2.03 ERA), but I now think his teammate Brett Cecil (37 G, 1.47 ERA, 10.5 K/9) is the more likely honoree as the league's top setup man this year.

Predicted Starting Lineups and Team-by-Team Roster Breakdown

10 of 19

Projected Starting Lineup

1. CF Mike Trout

2. C Joe Mauer

3. 3B Miguel Cabrera

4. DH David Ortiz

5. 1B Chris Davis

6. RF Jose Bautista

7. 2B Robinson Cano

8. CF Adam Jones

9. SS J.J. Hardy

SP Max Scherzer

Team-By-Team Breakdown

Baltimore (4): 1B Chris Davis, 3B Manny Machado, SS J.J. Hardy, CF Adam Jones

Boston (4): 2B Dustin Pedroia, DH David Ortiz, OF Daniel Nava, SP Clay Buchholz+

Chicago (1): SP Chris Sale

Cleveland (2): C Carlos Santana, 2B Jason Kipnis

Detroit (5): 1B Prince Fielder, 3B Miguel Cabrera, SS Jhonny Peralta, SP Anibal Sanchez, SP Max Scherzer

Houston (1): C Jason Castro

Kansas City (1): SP James Shields

Los Angeles (1): LF Mike Trout

Minnesota (1): C Joe Mauer

New York (3): 2B Robinson Cano, SP Hiroki Kuroda*, RP Mariano Rivera

Oakland (3): 3B Josh Donaldson, SP Bartolo Colon, RP Grant Balfour

Seattle (2): SP Felix Hernandez, SP Hisashi Iwakuma

Tampa Bay (1): 3B Evan Longoria

Texas (3): RF Nelson Cruz, SP Yu Darvish, RP Joe Nathan

Toronto (3): 1B Edwin Encarnacion, RF Jose Bautista, RP Brett Cecil

*Injury Replacement, +Injured, Will Not Play

NL Catchers

11 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Yadier Molina (STL)

Reserves: Buster Posey (SF), Miguel Montero (ARI)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Yadier Molina (STL)

Reserve: Buster Posey (SF)

Final Predictions

Starter: Yadier Molina (STL)

Reserve: Buster Posey (SF)

Overview

Two of the three highest vote-getters in the National League are catchers Yadier Molina and Buster Posey, and while they've battled back and forth, it looks like Molina has a good chance to start, holding a 340,000-vote lead as of now.

Regardless, both players will make the team, and my guess is that they'll be the only two catchers on the National League roster.

That said, I would love to see Evan Gattis in the game, and should he find himself on the final-vote ballot, he'd likely run away with the voting.

NL 1st Basemen

12 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Joey Votto (CIN)

Reserves: Allen Craig (STL), Adrian Gonzalez (LAD)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Joey Votto (CIN)

Reserves: Allen Craig (STL), Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)

Final Predictions

Starter: Joey Votto (CIN)

Reserves: Allen Craig (STL), Freddie Freeman (ATL), Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)

Overview

With all due respect to the season that Paul Goldschmidt is having, Joey Votto is still the best first baseman in the National League and leads in the voting by about 600,000 votes. He is an on-base machine and leads the NL in that category with a .432 mark.

Goldschmidt (.930 OPS, 20 HR, 69 RBI) is a lock to make the team as well and could be the choice to start as the DH in the National League.

From there, Allen Craig (.849 OPS, 63 RBI) and Freddie Freeman (.860 OPS, 54 RBI) both deserve spots on the team, and while I originally had Freeman as a snub, I now think that Justin Upton will lose his grasp on the third starting outfield spot and not make the team and Freeman will earn a spot instead.

NL 2nd Basemen

13 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Brandon Phillips (CIN)

Reserves: Aaron Hill (ARI)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Brandon Phillips (CIN)

Reserves: Matt Carpenter (STL), Marco Scutaro (SF)

Final Predictions

Starter: Brandon Phillips (CIN)

Reserves: Matt Carpenter (STL), Marco Scutaro (SF)

Overview

It's hard to believe that Brandon Phillips has never started an MLB All-Star Game, but it looks like he'll earn that honor this time around with a 225,000-vote lead over Matt Carpenter. Phillips is deserving of the start with a team-high 63 RBI.

Carpenter (.893 OPS, 63 R) should make it as well, as he's stepped up big to fill a void atop the Cardinals lineup and has smoothly made the transition to second base.

After that, last year's postseason hero Marco Scutaro (.773 OPS, 35 R) and rookie Jedd Gyorko (.802 OPS, 8 HR) both have decent cases to make the team, and I think Scutaro will get the nod.

NL 3rd Basemen

14 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Ryan Zimmerman (WAS)

Reserves: David Wright (NYM), Chase Headley (SD)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: David Wright (NYM)

Reserves: Pedro Alvarez (PIT)

Final Predictions

Starter: David Wright (NYM)

Reserves: Pedro Alvarez (PIT)

Overview

Early on in the voting, Pablo Sandoval was leading the voting at third base, but fans have gotten it right since, and it looks like David Wright will get to start in front of the hometown fans, as he currently leads Sandoval by more than 800,000 votes.

With just a .687 OPS and 37 RBI, Sandoval doesn't deserve a spot on the team, but with manager Bruce Bochy calling the shots for the NL roster, he may still make it.

I personally don't think he'll make it. Instead Pedro Alvarez (.826 OPS, 21 HR, 56 RBI) will be backing up Wright. Ryan Zimmerman (.827 OPS, 9 HR, 43 RBI) deserves consideration as well, but I don't think he'll make it.

NL Shortstops

15 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starter: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)

Reserves: Starlin Castro (CHI)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starter: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)

Reserves: Everth Cabrera (SD), *Ian Desmond (WAS), Jean Segura (MIL)

*Injury replacement for Troy Tulowitzki

Final Predictions

Starter: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)

Reserves: Everth Cabrera (SD), *Ian Desmond (WAS), Jean Segura (MIL)

*Injury replacement for Troy Tulowitzki

Overview

Troy Tulowitzki has not played since he hit the disabled list with a fractured rib back on June 14, but he still holds a lead of roughly 2.7 million votes over Brandon Crawford.

Crawford got off to a great start this year, but he's hit just .188/.241/.213 over the past month, so he's no longer a candidate to make the team.

Instead, expect Jean Segura (.848 OPS, 11 HR, 24 SB) to earn a spot and Everth Cabrera (.800 OPS, 31 SB) to make it as well as the Padres' lone representative. With Tulowitzki unable to play in the game, Segura will get to start in place of him, and Ian Desmond (.819 OPS, 15 HR, 49 RBI) will replace him on the roster.

NL Outfielders

16 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Starters: Ryan Braun (MIL), Andrew McCutchen (PIT), Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)

Reserves: Bryce Harper (WAS), Jason Heyward (ATL), Matt Holliday (STL), Matt Kemp (LAD), Justin Upton (ATL)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Starters: Carlos Beltran (STL), Justin Upton (ATL), Bryce Harper (WAS)

Reserves: Domonic Brown (PHI), Jay Bruce (CIN), Carlos Gomez (MIL), Carlos Gonzalez (COL), Andrew McCutchen (PIT)

Final Predictions

Starters: Carlos Beltran (STL), Carlos Gonzalez (COL), Bryce Harper (WAS)

Reserves: Domonic Brown (PHI), Michael Cuddyer (COL), Carlos Gomez (MIL), Andrew McCutchen (PIT)

Overview

Carlos Beltran has run away from the pack in the NL outfield voting, with a little over 2 million more votes than anyone else. After him, the trio of Carlos Gonzalez, Justin Upton and Bryce Harper is separated by about 25,000 votes, with Harper currently the odd man out in the starting lineup.

With Harper trailing Upton by just 15,000 votes, and given how poorly Upton has played since the first month of the season, I think Harper earns the start and Upton misses out on the roster altogether.

As for reserves, Domonic Brown (.877 OPS, 22 HR, 60 RBI) and Carlos Gomez (.901 OPS, 12 HR, 16 SB) look like locks to make the team. From there I'll predict Michael Cuddyer and Andrew McCutchen over the likes of Jay Bruce, Shin-Soo Choo and Starling Marte.

Starting Pitchers

17 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Matt Cain (SF), Yovani Gallardo (MIL), Cole Hamels (PHI), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Mat Latos (CIN), SP Stephen Strasburg (WAS), Adam Wainwright (STL), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Patrick Corbin (ARI), Jose Fernandez (MIA), Matt Harvey (NYM), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Cliff Lee (PHI), Shelby Miller (STL), Jeff Samardzija (CHI), Adam Wainwright (STL), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS)

Final Predictions

Patrick Corbin (ARI), Jose Fernandez (MIA), Matt Harvey (NYM), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Cliff Lee (PHI), Jeff Locke (PIT), Adam Wainwright (STL), Travis Wood (CHI), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS)

Overview

Who starts for the National League appears to be a two-horse race between Matt Harvey (7-2, 2.27 ERA, 10.3 K/9) and Adam Wainwright (11-5, 2.22 ERA, 8.2 K/9), though it seems like Harvey is the likely choice given the fact that the game is being played at Citi Field.

Beyond them, Jordan Zimmermann (12-3, 2.46 ERA), Patrick Corbin (9-1, 2.49 ERA), Clayton Kershaw (7-5, 1.93 ERA) and Cliff Lee (9-2, 2.59 ERA) all look like locks to be part of the NL staff.

The Cubs and Marlins need representatives, so those will be 20-year-old rookie Jose Fernandez and Travis Wood, respectively (though Jeff Samardzija could get some consideration as well for the North Siders). That leaves one final spot, and I think Jeff Locke (8-1, 2.12 ERA) gets the nod over Stephen Strasburg, Shelby Miller, Mike Minor and a handful of others.

Relief Pitchers

18 of 19

Preseason Predictions (Feb. 22)

Craig Kimbrel (ATL), Jonathan Papelbon (PHI), J.J. Putz (ARI), Sergio Romo (SF), Huston Street (SD)

Previous Predictions (Jun. 26)

Rex Brothers (COL), Jason Grilli (PIT), Craig Kimbrel (ATL), Edward Mujica (STL)

Final Predictions

Rex Brothers (COL), Jason Grilli (PIT), Craig Kimbrel (ATL), Edward Mujica (STL)

Overview

Entering the season, most viewed Craig Kimbrel as the premier relief pitcher in the game, and while he's blown three saves, he's still been dominant, with 23 saves, a 1.48 ERA and 12.8 K/9.

That said, the NL team may opt to go with Jason Grilli (28-of-29 SV, 2.15 ERA, 14.3 K/9) in the ninth inning, as he's been the most consistent closer in the league so far this season.

For saving what was a shaky Cardinals bullpen, Edward Mujica (21-of-21 SV, 2.14 ERA, 8.0 K/9) earns a spot, as he's been perfect since taking over for Mitchell Boggs. Rounding out the bullpen is setup man Rex Brothers (38 G, 1.02 ERA), though Pirates setup man Mark Melancon (42 G, 0.87 ERA) could challenge him for the spot.