Stars vs. Superstars: Drawing the Line on MLB's Top Talent
The term "superstar" gets thrown around a lot in professional sports, and there is no clear line between a player being a star and a superstar.
Drawing that line is what we've attempted to do here ahead of the 2022 MLB season.
Based on a mix of on-field performance and off-field popularity, we came up with a set of criteria that a player needed to meet in order to be considered both a superstar and a star.
One of the following was required to be considered a superstar:
- Top 10 in jersey sales in 2021
- 5+ WAR in 2021 and 2+ WAR in 2020, according to Baseball Reference
- 5+ WAR projected in 2022, according to Depth Charts projections at FanGraphs
And one of the following was required to be considered a star:
- Top 20 in jersey sales in 2021
- 4+ WAR in 2021, according to Baseball Reference
- 4+ WAR projected in 2022, according to Depth Charts projections at FanGraphs
Ahead, we've provided a team-by-team breakdown of each club's stars and superstars entering the 2022 season, though both categories are certainly up for debate and subject to change as the year progresses.
Note: Carlos Correa and Clayton Kershaw qualified as superstars, while Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo, Carlos Rodon and Trevor Story registered as stars, but none of them were included in this article because they are currently free agents.
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles
Superstars: None
Stars: SP John Means, CF Cedric Mullins
After three forgettable seasons shuttling between Triple-A and the majors, Cedric Mullins became the first 30/30 player in Orioles history while finishing ninth in AL MVP voting last year. If he can match that level of production in 2022, he'll be knocking on the superstar door.
Boston Red Sox
Superstars: None
Stars: SS Xander Bogaerts, 3B Rafael Devers, SP Nathan Eovaldi, 2B/CF Enrique Hernandez
This isn't going to sit well with Red Sox fans, but keep in mind this was a completely subjective exercise. Bogaerts (6.3) and Devers (5.4) were both 5-WAR players as recently as the 2019 season, and while they fell just short of the superstar threshold, they are more than capable of returning to it in 2022.
New York Yankees
Superstars: SP Gerrit Cole, RF Aaron Judge
Stars: LF Joey Gallo
The big surprise here is no Giancarlo Stanton. However, he has essentially become a one-dimensional slugger at this point in his career, and much of his popularity has been siphoned off by fellow slugger Aaron Judge. Can DJ LeMahieu return to his MVP-caliber level after a down year?
Tampa Bay Rays
Superstars: SS Wander Franco
Stars: LF Randy Arozarena, 2B Brandon Lowe
Detractors will call Wander Franco's superstar status an overreaction to a solid debut, but is there a more talked-about player in the sport right now? His rookie cards are driving the baseball card collecting market, his projections for the upcoming season are glowing, and all signs point to him being one of the faces of the sport for years to come.
Toronto Blue Jays
Superstars: SS Bo Bichette, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Stars: SP Kevin Gausman, CF George Springer
The one-two punch of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette combined for a staggering 138 extra-base hits and 12.7 WAR in 2021, and that homegrown duo figures to be the foundation of the franchise for the foreseeable future. Can Kevin Gausman effectively replace Cy Young winner Robbie Ray?
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox
Superstars: SP Lance Lynn
Stars: SS Tim Anderson, SP Lucas Giolito, C Yasmani Grandal, 3B Yoan Moncada, CF Luis Robert
Don't think Lance Lynn belongs in the superstar category? His 14.9 WAR since the beginning of the 2019 season is tied with Jacob deGrom for first among the more than 1,200 different pitchers who have recorded at least one out during that three-year span.
Cleveland Guardians
Superstars: 3B Jose Ramirez
Stars: SP Shane Bieber
There is not a more underrated player in the game today than Jose Ramirez. The 29-year-old has finished in the top six in AL MVP voting four times in the last five seasons, and his 26.7 WAR during that span trails only Mookie Betts (32.0) and Mike Trout (28.4) among all position players.
Detroit Tigers
Superstars: SS Javier Baez
Stars: None
Javier Baez punched his ticket to the superstar category by ranking fourth in total jersey sales last year, though he does have a pair of 6-WAR seasons on his resume. His mix of power, speed, defense and swagger makes his popularity easy to understand, though he now moves to a smaller market in Detroit.
Kansas City Royals
Superstars: C Salvador Perez
Stars: SS Nicky Lopez
The Royals have a superstar of the future in top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. who could be in the big leagues before the All-Star break, but for now, catcher Salvador Perez is still the face of the franchise. Did anyone have a quieter 4-WAR season in 2021 than Nicky Lopez? The 26-year-old hit .300 and played Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop.
Minnesota Twins
Superstars: None
Stars: CF Byron Buxton, 2B Jorge Polanco
There is no doubt Byron Buxton is capable of superstar-level production if he can stay on the field. The 28-year-old posted a 171 OPS+ and racked up 42 extra-base hits and 4.5 WAR in only 61 games last season. That earned him a seven-year, $100 million extension, but the injury questions remain.
AL West
3 of 6
Houston Astros
Superstars: 3B Alex Bregman, RF Kyle Tucker
Stars: 2B Jose Altuve, DH Yordan Alvarez
Jose Altuve might still be the most popular player on the roster among Houston Astros fans, but Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez are the future of that franchise. It will be interesting to see what future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander has left in the tank after making just one start in the last two years.
Los Angeles Angels
Superstars: DH/SP Shohei Ohtani, CF Mike Trout
Stars: 3B Anthony Rendon
Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are no-brainers for the superstar category, and third baseman Anthony Rendon is capable of playing at that level as well. The 31-year-old dealt with injuries in 2021, but he was a 7.1-WAR player and NL MVP candidate in 2019 before inking a $245 million deal with the Halos.
Oakland Athletics
Superstars: None
Stars: SP Chris Bassitt, 3B Matt Chapman, 1B Matt Olson
It remains to be seen how much longer Matt Olson and Matt Chapman will be sharing the infield in Oakland after the team was described as "cash-strapped" earlier this offseason. Meanwhile, team owner John Fisher has a net worth of $2.4 billion. Just saying...
Seattle Mariners
Superstars: None
Stars: 1B Ty France, 2B Adam Frazier, SP Robbie Ray
Most expect Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez to be the future pillars of the Seattle Mariners roster, but for now, it's an unlikely trio who occupies the star tier. Ty France and Adam Frazier were both quietly excellent in 2021, while Robbie Ray rebounded from a 6.62 ERA in 2020 to win AL Cy Young honors before signing a five-year, $115 million deal in free agency.
Texas Rangers
Superstars: SS Corey Seager
Stars: 2B Marcus Semien
What does $500 million get you? A pair of elite-level middle infielders. Shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien will now be tasked with leading a new-look Texas Rangers roster that has spent the past several seasons spinning its tires.
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NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves
Superstars: RF Ronald Acuna Jr.
Stars: 2B Ozzie Albies, SP Max Fried, SP Charlie Morton, 3B Austin Riley
If Austin Riley can back up his 2021 breakout season with more of the same, he'll quickly leap into the superstar category. Meanwhile, despite playing only 82 games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear, Ronald Acuna Jr. has already cemented his superstar status as one of the faces of the sport.
Miami Marlins
Superstars: None
Stars: SP Sandy Alcantara
An All-Star as a rookie in 2019 and the Opening Day starter for the Marlins in 2020 and 2021, Sandy Alcantara has quietly developed into a frontline starter. The 26-year-old posted a 3.19 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 201 strikeouts in 205.2 innings last year, and he tied for second in the majors with 23 quality starts.
New York Mets
Superstars: SP Jacob deGrom, SP Max Scherzer
Stars: 1B Pete Alonso, SS Francisco Lindor, CF Starling Marte
If Jacob deGrom can get healthy, Max Scherzer can continue to pitch at an elite level and Francisco Lindor can provide the sort of production the Mets were expecting when they acquired him last offseason, New York could have three bona fide superstars on its roster. Of course, those are big ifs.
Philadelphia Phillies
Superstars: RF Bryce Harper, SP Zack Wheeler
Stars: SP Aaron Nola, SP Ranger Suarez
After posting a minuscule 1.36 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 106 innings split between the bullpen and starting rotation, Ranger Suarez is poised to be one of the breakout pitching stars of the 2022 season. Slotting him alongside Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola gives the Phillies a formidable top of the rotation.
Washington Nationals
Superstars: RF Juan Soto
Stars: None
The Nationals cleaned house at the trade deadline, leaving Juan Soto as the last man standing of sorts from the 2019 World Series-winning team. A healthy Stephen Strasburg is still capable of top-of-the-rotation production, but there's a clear lack of star power on a roster in the early stages of a rebuild.
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs
Superstars: None
Stars: C Willson Contreras, SP Wade Miley
Veteran left-hander Wade Miley might not fit the traditional definition of an MLB star, but with a 3.37 ERA and 5.6 WAR in 163 innings, he was one of baseball's most productive starters last year. That makes it all the more difficult to believe that the Reds cut him loose for nothing this offseason.
Cincinnati Reds
Superstars: None
Stars: SP Luis Castillo, SP Tyler Mahle
Speaking of the Reds, they still have a pair of frontline starters in ace Luis Castillo and overlooked right-hander Tyler Mahle. The 27-year-old Mahle took a major step forward during the shortened 2020 season, and he picked up right where he left off last year with a 3.75 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 210 strikeouts in 180 innings.
Milwaukee Brewers
Superstars: SP Corbin Burnes, SP Brandon Woodruff
Stars: SP Freddy Peralta, LF Christian Yelich
An 11th-round pick in the 2014 draft (Woodruff) and a fourth-round selection in the 2016 draft (Burnes) have developed into a pair of homegrown aces for the Milwaukee Brewers. Woodruff has steadily improved each of the past three seasons, while Burnes took a massive step forward in 2020 before winning the NL Cy Young last year. Despite his struggles, Christian Yelich still ranked 20th in jersey sales in 2021.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Superstars: None
Stars: CF Bryan Reynolds
It's only a matter of time before Ke'Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz break through and establish themselves as long-term building blocks in Pittsburgh. For now, the face of the franchise is outfielder Bryan Reynolds. The 27-year-old hit .302/.390/.522 with 67 extra-base hits and 6.0 WAR in 2021.
St. Louis Cardinals
Superstars: 3B Nolan Arenado, 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Stars: C Yadier Molina, LF Tyler O'Neill
Tyler O'Neill had the highest 2021 WAR total (6.3) of any player who didn't qualify for the superstar tier. He hit .173 with a 70 OPS+ and 0.9 WAR in 2020 but exploded for a 150 OPS+ with 34 home runs this past season. More of the same would put him alongside Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt on the superstar list.
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks
Superstars: None
Stars: None
With 3.8 WAR projected for the upcoming season, Ketel Marte fell just short of qualifying as a star. The 28-year-old hit .318/.377/.532 with 44 extra-base hits in 90 games during an injury-plagued 2021 season, and he was a 6.9-WAR player in 2019, so he's capable of exceeding expectations.
Colorado Rockies
Superstars: None
Stars: 3B Ryan McMahon
Yikes. With Trevor Story likely headed elsewhere in free agency, the closest thing the Rockies have to a star these days is third baseman Ryan McMahon. The 27-year-old hit .254/.331/.449 for a 98 OPS+ with 32 doubles, 23 home runs and 86 RBI while tallying 22 DRS between second base and third base.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Superstars: CF Cody Bellinger, RF Mookie Betts, SS Trea Turner
Stars: SP Walker Buehler, 1B Max Muncy, C Will Smith, SP Julio Urias
Despite a forgettable 2021 season, Cody Bellinger still finished sixth in the majors in jersey sales, giving him a superstar profile. However, there is no question the 2019 NL MVP has a lot to prove during the upcoming season if he wants to hold on to that distinction and his spot in the everyday lineup.
San Diego Padres
Superstars: 3B Manny Machado, SS Fernando Tatis Jr.
Stars: 2B Jake Cronenworth
With Manny Machado signed through the 2028 season and Fernando Tatis Jr. on the books through 2034, the left side of the San Diego Padres infield will be occupied by its superstar duo for the foreseeable future. Can anyone from the starting rotation—Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Mike Clevinger and Joe Musgrove—pitch like a star in 2022?
San Francisco Giants
Superstars: None
Stars: SS Brandon Crawford, SP Anthony DeSclafani, SP Logan Webb
With Buster Posey riding off into the sunset, the Giants are a contender without a true superstar on the roster. Shortstop Brandon Crawford performed at a superstar level in 2021, but he's also 35 years old and that was a career year. Young right-hander Logan Webb has the stuff to make the leap.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.
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