Mookie leads 5 Dodgers on 2022 All-MLB Team

LOS ANGELES -- The All-MLB Team was unveiled Monday at the Winter Meetings, and much like the last few seasons, the Dodgers were well represented.

Unlike the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards, which are awarded to one player in each league, the All-MLB Team recognizes the best players at each position across the Majors as a whole. The selections were based 50% on the judgment of a panel of experts and 50% on fan voting held last month, and the process only factors in performance during the regular season.

Mookie Betts and Trea Turner were named to the All-MLB First Team at shortstop and outfield, respectively. That’s no surprise given Betts and Turner also took home the Silver Slugger Award at their respective positions this season.

• All-MLB Team presented by Arm & Hammer and OxiClean

Turner, who reportedly agreed to an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies on Monday, was one of the most dynamic players in the Majors last season. With the Midsummer Classic being held at Dodger Stadium, Turner was named an All-Star Game starter for the first time in his career.

As for Betts, the six-time All-Star had a bounceback season in 2022 after dealing with a nagging back/hip injury in ‘21. There was an argument to be made that Betts was the best hitter on the planet in May, when he hit 12 homers. It’s been a good offseason for Betts, who won a Gold Glove in right field, a Silver Slugger, an All-MLB selection and a top-five finish in the BBWAA National League MVP voting.

Will Smith, Freddie Freeman and Julio Urías were also recognized as Second Team selections following impressive seasons by the trio. Despite being snubbed for his first career All-Star Game and largely going under the radar, Smith has continued to establish himself as one of the most feared offensive catchers in the Majors, hitting .260 with 24 homers in 2022. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was named to the First Team over Smith.

Freeman easily could’ve been named a First Team selection following his impressive first season with the Dodgers. He led the league in hits and came up just short of the NL batting title to the Mets’ Jeff McNeil. There was some temporary drama that followed Freeman in the summer, but it was difficult to envision a much better debut season for Freeman in Dodger blue.

As for Urías, the Mexican left-hander was the only Dodgers pitcher recognized in the voting. Urías, who led the NL with a 2.17 ERA this season, finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting behind Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara and Braves left-hander Max Fried. Alcantara was the only NL pitcher to be named a First Team selection.