2013 MLB All Star Roster: First-Timers Bound for Future Selections

There will be at least 30 players at Citi Field on July 16 who will be represented at the MLB All-Star Game for the first time in their careers, but only a few of them are definitely going to be back for many years to come.

John Schlegel of MLB.com recently wrote an insightful story about players going to the All-Star Game for the first time, regardless of how old or how many years they’ve played, and the emotions of it. Here’s what Pirates closer Jason Grilli, an 11-year veteran, had to say about his first selection to the Midsummer Classic:

"

I’m not here for the personal accolade, but it does reflect what you have put in to help the club win. The reaction I got from my teammates—the support and the hugs—probably had me choked up the most. I’m fighting back a lump in my throat right now.

"

While getting selected just once to represent the American or National League is a major accomplishment in itself, multiple selections are even more impressive. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was just named to the 13th All-Star Game roster of his historic career. David Ortiz is headed to his ninth Midsummer Classic.

Which first-time All-Star in 2013 has the potential to join the greats who have been selected to several Midsummer Classics throughout their careers? Here are three players headed to New York for July 16 who are bound to be back for more in the coming years.

Complete American League Roster (via MLB.com)

Player	Position	Team
Joe Mauer	Catcher	MIN
Chris Davis	First Baseman	BAL
Robinson Cano	Second Baseman	NYY
J.J. Hardy	Shortstop	BAL
Miguel Cabrera	Third Baseman	DET
Mike Trout	Outfielder	LAA
Adam Jones	Outfielder	BAL
Jose Bautista	Outfielder	TOR
David Ortiz	Designated Hitter	BOS
Clay Buchholz*	Pitcher	BOS
Brett Cecil	Pitcher	TOR
Bartolo Colon@	Pitcher	OAK
Jesse Crain*	Pitcher	CHW
Yu Darvish	Pitcher	TEX
Felix Hernandez	Pitcher	SEA
Hisashi Iwakuma	Pitcher	SEA
Justin Masterson	Pitcher	CLE
Joe Nathan	Pitcher	TEX
Glen Perkins@	Pitcher	MIN
Mariano Rivera	Pitcher	NYY
Chris Sale	Pitcher	CHW
Max Scherzer	Pitcher	DET
Justin Verlander	Pitcher	DET
Jason Castro	Catcher	HOU
Salvador Perez	Catcher	KC
Prince Fielder	First Baseman	DET
Jason Kipnis	Second Baseman	CLE
Dustin Pedroia	Second Baseman	BOS
Ben Zobrist	Second Baseman	TB
Jhonny Peralta	Shortstop	DET
Manny Machado	Third Baseman	BAL
Nelson Cruz	Outfielder	TEX
Alex Gordon	Outfielder	KC
Torii Hunter	Outfielder	DET
Edwin Encarnacion	Designated Hitter	TOR
* Injured; @ Injury replacement

Complete National League Roster (via MLB.com)

Player	Position	Team
Yadier Molina	Catcher	STL
Joey Votto	First Baseman	CIN
Brandon Phillips	Second Baseman	CIN
Troy Tulowitzki	Shortstop	COL
David Wright	Third Baseman	NYM
Carlos Beltran	Outfielder	STL
Carlos Gonzalez	Outfielder	COL
Bryce Harper	Outfielder	WAS
Madison Bumgarner	Pitcher	SF
Aroldis Chapman	Pitcher	CIN
Patrick Corbin	Pitcher	ARZ
Jose Fernandez	Pitcher	MIA
Jason Grilli	Pitcher	PIT
Matt Harvey	Pitcher	NYM
Clayton Kershaw	Pitcher	LAD
Craig Kimbrel	Pitcher	ATL
Cliff Lee	Pitcher	PHI
Jeff Locke	Pitcher	PIT
Adam Wainwright	Pitcher	STL
Travis Wood	Pitcher	CHC
Jordan Zimmermann	Pitcher	WAS
Buster Posey	Catcher	SF
Paul Goldschmidt	First Baseman	ARZ
Allen Craig	First Baseman	STL
Matt Carpenter	Second Baseman	STL
Marco Scutaro	Second Baseman	SF
Everth Cabrera	Shortstop	SD
Jean Segura	Shortstop	MIL
Pedro Alvarez	Third Baseman	PIT
Domonic Brown	Outfielder	PHI
Michael Cuddyer	Outfielder	COL
Carlos Gomez	Outfielder	MIL
Andrew McCutchen	Outfielder	PIT

Matt Harvey, New York Mets

New York fans are hoping that NL manager Bruce Bochy selects Matt Harvey as the starter for the All-Star Game. He’d definitely be a deserving choice. The young right-hander is 7-2 in 18 starts for the Mets this season, posting a 2.27 ERA in 123 innings of work. He also has 141 strikeouts and just 27 walks on the year.

Harvey is just behind Adam Wainwright for the NL lead in WAR for starting pitchers, according to FanGraphs. Even still, it will be tough for Bochy to not go with the hometown hero as the game’s starting pitcher. But even if Bochy spurns the New York faithful, Harvey is sure to start at least one Midsummer Classic in his career.

The Mets have a bright future ahead, and it’s primarily because of a strong young pitching core. Harvey has already flourished in the big leagues, and Zack Wheeler is sure to be a star someday too.

Harvey has made making the All-Star Game look like a cakewalk this year. Don’t expect 2013 to be his last.

Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles

Manny Machado has quickly emerged into one of the great young players in the game. He’s having a fantastic year and should absolutely be on manager Jim Leyland’s roster, even though he’s not a starter. This kid can rake, as he’s currently flaunting a .312/.341/.471 slash line with six homers, 42 RBI and 53 runs.

While Machado can also make any play from the hot corner—see his play against the Yankees on Sunday—his ability to hit doubles is most impressive. The 21-year-old has already hit 39 doubles this year, which leads the league. If he continues to hit like he has been, he could break Earl Webb’s record for most doubles in a single season (67).

There were several top third baseman in the running for a spot on the AL squad this season, but Machado earned one of the two spots—Miguel Cabrera being the other. That means he beat out the likes of Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre and Josh Donaldson.

You’re crazy if you don’t think he’s capable of doing it in 2014 and beyond as well.

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul Goldschmidt might not be starting at first base for the NL, but you could easily make the case that he should be. He and Joey Votto have battled for the top spot on the NL first basemen WAR leaderboard all year long. At the moment, Goldschmidt holds a slight lead over the 2010 NL MVP, according to FanGraphs.

Through 87 games, the Diamondbacks slugger is hitting .308/.388/.564 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI. Votto holds a slight edge over Goldschmidt in hits, runs and on-base percentage. That’s about it. Goldschmidt has rushed into the conversation as the best first baseman in the NL, which is quite the title for a 25-year-old.

But even though Goldschmidt didn’t get enough love from the fans, it’s still important that he was selected. Goldschmidt has become one of the top players in baseball this season and it’s unlikely that he’s going to slow down anytime soon. In fact, he's only going to get better.

There are many—I repeat, many—All-Star Games in this kid’s future.