NL West All-Stars Heading to Texas
Photo Credit: Liesbeth Powers (Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News)
Arizona Diamondbacks
Ketel Marte
Photo Credit: Ronald Martinez (Getty Images)
In the midst of his eighth season with the Diamondbacks, Marte is currently the sole representative for the team. This will be Marte’s second All-Star start in as many selections. He last appeared in the 2019 All-Star game, a year in which he finished fourth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting. Marte is leading the team in batting average (.285), runs scored (62), and hits (100), a vital piece at the top of the Diamondbacks lineup.
Colorado Rockies
Ryan McMahon
Photo Credit: Rich Schultz (Getty Images)
It’s a landmark for the homegrown Rockies infielder as he’ll be going to his first All-Star game. Like Marte, McMahon is the lone All-Star for his team, the Rockies. He’s played upwards of 150 games in each season for the Rockies since the 2021 season and appears to be on pace to do the same this year. He’s team leader in home runs (14) and runs batted in (45), hits (98), doubles (20), and walks (40).
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA Today Sports)
There isn’t much more the Dodgers can ask of this guy: outfield to second base to shortstop. His versatility on defense has proven to be second to none. At the plate, he had a blazing start to the year, with an average of .340 in the month of April. Amazingly, Betts is still batting over .300 despite struggling in June before hitting the injured list on June 17th. With this being his eighth selection, he is tied with teammate Freddie Freeman in having the most All-Star selections on this list.
Freddie Freeman
Photo Credit: Ashley Landis (The Associated Press)
Freeman is about as steady and durable as they come. He’s appeared in every game for the Dodgers this season. In every season since 2015, he’s hit nearly .300 and often over the .300 mark, and really uses the whole field. This season is no different, as Freeman is sitting at .294 and is within the top five in the league in doubles.
Teoscar Hernández
Photo Credit: Wally Skalij (Los Angeles Times)
In his first season with the Dodgers, Hernández has been a weapon in the Dodgers lineup. He already has 19 home runs and 60 runs batted in, which means he’s on pace to best his career totals of 32 home runs and 116 runs batted in. Hernández has split his time at the corner outfield positions this season, meaning he could see action at either spot at the All-Star Game.
It was also announced that Hernández will be one of eight contestants competing in the Home Run Derby.
Shohei Ohtani
Photo Credit: Jae C. Hong (AP Photo)
There was some speculation pertaining to how the off-the-field issue at the beginning of the season might affect his on-field performance. But Ohtani has put all rumors to rest as he’s doing it all for the Dodgers offensively, leading them in pretty much every major category. He’s also leading the National League in home runs (29) and in runs scored (75). In addition, he’s swiped 23 bases, good enough for third in the National League. In terms of competing with himself, Ohtani looks poised to set new career highs in many statistical categories as well. The fact he could come back as a pitcher next year is a scary thought for the rest of the league.
Will Smith
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez (USA Today Sports)
After signing a 10-year extension with the team during the offseason, Smith continues to be one of the premier catchers in the game. Defensively, he’s tied with the Giants’ Patrick Bailey for most runners caught stealing with 12. At the same time, he’s leading National League catchers with 15 home runs and 55 runs batted in. Though his offensive numbers aren’t as impressive as those of his teammates, Smith is a general behind the plate for the Dodgers.
San Diego Padres
Luis Arraez
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine (USA Today Sports)
Arraez seems to have settled in with the Padres. Though his batting average isn’t as sensational as last year, it’s still over .300 and the National League hits leader once again. Dividing time between the two infield positions so far this season, Arraez had a great month of May, a .398 average, racking up 41 hits total, four doubles, and a .426 on-base percentage.
Jackson Merrill
Photo Credit: Matt Slocum (The Associated Press)
1 of 2 rookies on this list, Merrill made headlines as the second youngest player on a 2024 Opening Day roster (the youngest being Jackson Chourio of the Brewers). He made the switch to the outfield during Spring Training and hasn’t left since as he’s been in the lineup every day for the team since the beginning of the season. Merrill filled the center field void and established himself as a long-term piece for the Padres.
Jurickson Profar
Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez (USA Today Sports)
At the start of the season, few would have predicted Profar to be an All-Star, let alone an All-Star starter. He’s having a career year for the Padres: the team leader in batting average (.307), runs scored (52), and runs batted in (59). Profar is tied with Tatis for the most home runs and is also the team leader in hits (Arraez has had 78 hits for the Padres since his arrival, Profar has 101 total on the season), which has helped him earn his first All-Star selection.
Robert Suarez
Photo Credit: Brynn Anderson (AP Photo)
The sole reliever representing the National League West, Suarez is another first-time All-Star in his third season. He’s picked up 22 saves in 24 opportunities, with an earned run average well under two (1.72), and an opponent batting average south of the Mendoza line (.183). Suarez has appeared in 37 games for the Padres, pitched a total of 36.2 innings, and has struck 34 batters, nearly averaging a strikeout per inning.
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez (USA Today Sports)
Tatis rounds the Padres starting outfield at the All-Star game. As previously mentioned, he’s tied for the team lead in home runs. His numbers on offense are pretty good (.279 average, 14 home runs, .354 on-base percentage), but what has been impressive is his transition to right field from shortstop. Being in right field hasn’t stopped him from making great, exciting plays defensively as he’s thrown out runners trying to stretch an extra base or making sliding catches; getting him a second trip to the All-Star game.
San Francisco Giants
Heliot Ramos
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita (USA Today Sports)
Due to the multitude of injuries, Ramos got a chance to prove himself, and he’s taken advantage of it. He’s been doing everything he can to keep the Giants afloat since his callup in early May: diving catches in the outfield, driving runners in with timely hits, and consistently getting on base. In all, Ramos is batting .301, launched 14 home runs, and collected 45 runs batted in. Most importantly, aside from a statistical perspective, Ramos has jolted the Giants with youthful, joyful energy along with his to the rest of the team.
Logan Webb
Photo Credit: Ed Szczepanski (USA Today Sports)
Webb will finally get a chance to go to the Midsummer Classic. He’s leading the National League in innings pitched (124.1) and appears likely to come close to or break the 200-inning threshold once again this season. Webb has been the anchor and ace for the Giants pitching staff for the past few years. Though the Giants starting rotation has been banged up or nearly nonexistent at times during the first half of the season, he has shown to be the one constant.