2020 NL All-Star Team

The pandemic-shorted season has robbed us of an official All-Star Game. However, as we approach the (mostly) halfway point in the schedule, it’s a good time to look at who the 2020 All Stars have been thus far. Starters were based on voting and discussion among DD writers and reserves were filled in to allow for one backup at each position and configured so that each team had at least one representative.

NL ALL-STARS

Starters:

Bench:

Pitchers:

BREAKDOWN:

Catcher: The easiest to start with, as Realmuto has been the cream of the crop. Stallings has put up decent numbers on an otherwise bad pirates team. Not many others are seriously pushing for these spots.

First: Goldschmidt gets the nod here despite limited playing time and serves as the Cards only rep. Cronenworth has been extremely valuable for “Slam Diego” and serves as a multi-position weapon off the bench. Freeman looks to be one of the biggest snubs here.

Second: Solano rides his blistering start into the All-Star Game. Cano gets the nod in the backup slot although it very easily could have gone to Ketel Marte as well.

Shortstop: Tatis has simply been a complete and utter phenom thus far. Clearly deserving and likely the first half NL MVP. Story makes it for the Rockies as the backup. Corey Seager is listed as our DH but is obviously also capable of manning short.

Third: The small sample size hurts perennial All-Star Nolan Arenado, who is off to a slow start. Instead Diamond Digest opted for Justin Turner, who has been a steady if unspectacular presence in the stacked Dodger lineup. He’s backed up by former teammate Manny Machado.

Outfield: Let the debating begin. Plenty of options to go around here. Our vote led to Yastrzemski, Betts, and Blackman. It’s hard to argue the talent of this group but it feels a little like freak of nature Juan Soto gets robbed of a starting spot. Missing the first few days of an already shortened season hurts Soto here, even if he’s done nothing but obliterate the ball since returning. Ditto Bryce Harper, who is relegated to the bench in our All-Star lineup. A strong season from Ian Happ grabs him the last bench spot. Trent Grisham and Starling Marte have the biggest gripes with not making the squad but there’s too many good players at a deep position.

Designated Hitter: Still feels weird to have the DH in the National League. Seager has gotten plenty of ABs at DH for the Dodgers who shuffle their plethora of sluggers through to offer them some rest. Winker has been exceling for Cincinnati and is an easy choice for the backup spot.

Pitchers: The toughest to evaluate in such a short season. One bad start can tank your stats in a hurry. Trevor Bauer has been close to unhittable so far this season and he gets the nod as the NL starter. Yu Darvish has been equally dominant in a comeback season for the division-leading Cubs. Pitchers like Luis Castillo and German Marquez are the biggest snubs due to every team needing a representative. Pablo Lopez and Zac Gallen serve as the only representatives for Miami and Arizona, respectively.

Snubs/Just Missed the Cut:

Merrill Kelly, Starling Marte, Ketel Marte, Freddie Freeman, Luis Castillo, German Marquez, Brandon Woodruff, Michael Conforto, Dom Smith, Zach Davies, Trent Grisham, Austin Slater, Brad Miller, Tanner Rainey, Trea Turner

Featured Photo: @AllStarGame / Twitter