Who are the front-runners for the All-MLB Team? Experts weigh in

Who are the front-runners for the All-MLB Team? Experts weigh in

August 20th, 2024

As we enter the stretch run and postseason races heat up, so do races involving individual honors like the Most Valuable Player Award, the Cy Young Award and others. One particular honor that has been coveted in recent years is selection to the All-MLB Team.

We’ve asked MLB.com experts to weigh in at various points this season regarding which players they think will be named to the All-MLB squad. In our latest poll, it’s evident that we may be seeing quite a mix of established stars and exciting first-time All-MLB honorees this winter.

The All-MLB Team presented by MGM Rewards has annually recognized the best players at each position since its introduction in 2019. While what we've seen so far can certainly impact each expert's picks, their predictions are based on who they think will be on the All-MLB Team at season's end, not who should be on the team as of right now.

As a reminder, there are All-MLB First and Second Teams for every position. Each team features one selection at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and DH, as well as three outfielders (regardless of specific outfield position), five starting pitchers and two relievers.

Here’s a look at our latest predictions.

CATCHER

First Team: (MIL)
Second Team: (SEA)

Contreras has proven throughout his young Major League career that he’s one of the best offensive catchers in the game, and this season has been no exception. The 26-year-old Brewers backstop owns an .819 OPS with 17 home runs, and he’s been key to Milwaukee’s impressive season after losing Corbin Burnes in a trade and Brandon Woodruff to injury.

Raleigh, meanwhile, is having another strong offensive campaign of his own. While he’s batting only .210, he’s launched 27 homers and could set a career-high in that department with four more over the final six weeks of the regular season. Entering Monday, Raleigh’s expected slugging percentage of .501 was more than 60 points higher than his actual slugging percentage.

Defensively, Raleigh entered play on Monday tied for second among MLB catchers with +9 catcher framing runs, per Statcast.

Both backstops would be first-time All-MLB selections if chosen.

FIRST BASE

First Team: (TOR)
Second Team: (PHI)

Guerrero, a first-team selection to the All-MLB team in 2021, saw his offensive production decline in 2022 and ’23 after finishing runner-up to Shohei Ohtani in the ’21 AL MVP race. Following a slow start at the plate this season, he’s had a resurgence that has vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard in many offensive categories among first basemen. Since June 21, Guerrero has posted an OPS near 1.200, and 19 of his 26 homers have come since then.

Harper was the First Team choice in our last All-MLB poll, which was conducted just after the All-Star break. In the first half, he had a .983 OPS with 21 homers. Since then, however, he’s slumped at the plate, with a slash line of .216/.269/.405 and five homers in 27 games since then. Still, he’s Bryce Harper, which means he’ll likely rebound and is still seen as a strong All-MLB candidate.

SECOND BASE

First Team: (ARI)
Second Team: (HOU)

Marte, who was placed on the injured list with an aggravation of an ankle sprain on Monday, is one of the most underrated players in the game. He’s putting together a career season for Arizona, with a .930 OPS to go along with 30 home runs and strong defense. At the time he was placed on the IL, he was among the National League leaders with 6.2 bWAR.

Meanwhile, Altuve continues to demonstrate that age is just a number. While his slugging is down this season, the 34-year-old veteran has an OPS just below .800 with 16 homers and 16 steals. If he does make the All-MLB team, it will be his third selection -- he was named to the second team in 2019, and the first team in ’22.

SHORTSTOP

First Team: (KC)
Second Team: (BAL)

That Henderson -- who has 33 home runs, 14 steals and a .932 OPS for the Orioles -- is the Second Team choice here, speaks to just how good Witt has been.

Witt nearly became the fourth 30-50 player in AL/NL history last season, when he belted 30 homers and stole 49 bases. He’s taken it to another level in 2024, to the point where he will very likely get serious AL MVP consideration despite another monster season in the works for Aaron Judge.

Witt is leading baseball in batting average (.349), hits (174) and runs scored (108), and he’s smashed 25 home runs and driven in 91 runs. He’s on the verge of making Royals history by eclipsing franchise icon George Brett for the highest fWAR in a single season.

Yes, Witt’s season has been incredible and will likely be historic. But let’s not forget about Henderson, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year who is leading Baltimore in its quest for a second consecutive AL East title and much more in October. The 23-year-old is nearing a 7-fWAR season, ranked only behind Witt, Judge and Juan Soto.

THIRD BASE

First Team: (CLE)
Second Team: (BOS)

Ramírez, a Second Team All-MLB selection in 2020 and ’23, is aiming for a First Team nod in ’24. He’s garnered AL MVP votes in seven of the past eight years, including four top-four finishes. He’s belted 32 homers, driven in 100 runs and stolen 29 bases so far this season -- with his next steal, he’ll register the second 30-homer/30-steal campaign of his career.

Devers is having another tremendous season of his own. He currently has a career-best .966 OPS with 27 home runs. He’s slugging nearly .600 and he continues to rank among the MLB leaders in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity. He’s also seeking a First Team selection for the first time -- he was selected to the Second Team in 2021.

OUTFIELD

First Team: (NYY), (NYY), (BOS)
Second Team: (CLE), (SD), (SD)

The Yankees couldn’t have asked for a better debut for the Judge-Soto duo. With Judge demolishing home runs at a rate that has him primed to eclipse 60 again and Soto demonstrating why he is poised to cash in on an enormous free agent contract next offseason, any issues the Bronx Bombers have to iron out don’t involve the outfield.

The pair has combined for 78 homers already, and there are six weeks to go in the regular season. Each has been selected to the All-MLB Team three times.

Durran is enjoying a breakout year for Boston. The speedy center fielder has been excellent both offensively and defensively, with an MLB-leading 13 triples to go along with an .845 OPS at the plate and, entering Monday, +8 Outs Above Average in the field.

Kwan debuted in the Majors with a strong rookie campaign in 2022, finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting and winning a Gold Glove Award in left field. Following a down year at the plate in '23, he has bounced back with his best offensive season to this point to go along with his sparkling defense.

Like the Yankees, the Padres have a dynamic duo in the outfield as well, though San Diego’s pair wasn’t necessarily expected to be contending for the All-MLB team. Merrill, particularly in the second half, has been phenomenal in his rookie season, especially when it comes to delivering in the clutch -- he’s got five home runs in the eighth inning or later that have either tied or won a game.

Profar, once a heralded international prospect, has had a surprisingly productive season for the Padres after entering the year with a career .706 OPS. The 31-year-old veteran has been indispensable for a surging San Diego club, with an .857 OPS and 19 homers.

DESIGNATED HITTER

First Team: (LAD)
Second Team: (ATL)

Unfortunately, we aren't able to see Ohtani pitch in 2024. Fortunately, we have had the opportunity to see what the man can do when he’s focused solely on offense. Ohtani has a legitimate chance to become the first full-time DH to win an MVP Award. He’s continued to dazzle us, launching an NL-best 39 home runs while leading the league in runs scored (94), slugging (.611), OPS (.989) and total bases (297). He's also closing in on his first 40-homer/40-steal season, which would be the first in Dodgers history. Ohtani is already seeking his fourth All-MLB selection as a DH (he also has three as a starting pitcher).

In Ohtani’s shadow, Ozuna has a legitimate chance at the first NL Triple Crown since 1937. He’s leading the league with a .309 batting average, second behind Ohtani with 36 homers and first in the NL with 93 RBIs. With reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and now slugging third baseman Austin Riley sidelined by injury, Ozuna’s production has been critical in keeping the Braves in the postseason race.

STARTING PITCHER

First Team: (DET), (ATL), (BAL), (PHI), (SF)
Second Team: (KC), (SD), (PIT), (CIN), (SEA)

Entering this season, Skubal was seen as having the stuff to become one of the best starting pitchers in the game. The young left-hander has done even more than that, placing him squarely in position to win the AL Cy Young Award and even a potential pitcher’s Triple Crown. He’s tied for the MLB lead with 14 wins, is leading the Majors with a 2.49 ERA, and leading the AL with 185 strikeouts.

Sale is having a comeback season for the ages. At age 35, he’s authoring one of the finest campaigns of his illustrious career, one that may earn him his first Cy Young Award. Following several injury-plagued seasons in Boston, the veteran left-hander joined the Braves and has an NL-best 2.62 ERA and 14 wins. His 187 strikeouts lead MLB, as does his 2.05 FIP.

Burnes and Wheeler continue to be steadily excellent. In his first season with the Orioles, Burnes -- who was named to the All-MLB First Team after a Cy Young Award-winning campaign in 2021 -- earned his fourth straight All-Star selection and has posted a 3.10 ERA over 25 starts for Baltimore.

Wheeler, meanwhile, was on the Second Team in 2021, when he was runner-up in NL Cy Young voting behind Burnes. The veteran right-hander earned his second All-Star nod this year, and he has a 2.72 ERA over 24 starts for the Phillies.

Like Wheeler, Webb is an innings eater who is as dependable as they come. The Giants right-hander is seeking his first All-MLB selection and he’s well on his way with a 3.17 ERA over an NL-leading 164 2/3 innings. Over his last four outings, his ERA is a miniscule 0.61.

The second team group in our latest poll is young and electric. Ragans is leading a strong starting rotation in Kansas City with a 3.18 ERA and 28.9% strikeout rate. Cease has bounced back from a down year in 2023, and in a big way -- he threw the second no-hitter in Padres history last month and has pitched to a 3.46 ERA for the season.

Skenes arrived on the MLB scene less than a year after being drafted first overall, and he has more than lived up to the hype, making history with his triple-digit fastball and splinker over his first handful of appearances and even starting the All-Star Game.

Greene, though injured, had a historic run of his own for the Reds, posting a 0.48 ERA over a six-start span from June 30 to Aug. 3. And Gilbert has continued his ascension in the AL, ranking second in the league with 161 innings pitched, over which he has a 2.96 ERA and an MLB-best 0.88 WHIP.

RELIEF PITCHER

First Team: (CLE), (OAK)
Second Team: (STL), (SD)

Clase has been the class of the AL when it comes to closers, although Miller, with a fastball that regularly touches 102 mph or higher, could become his chief competition.

With an AL-leading 37 saves so far this season, Clase is within striking distance of leading MLB in that category for the third straight year. But it’s an ERA of 0.63 over 58 appearances that truly stands out for the Cleveland right-hander, who is poised to garner his third All-MLB selection.

Miller, who turns 26 on Aug. 24, burst onto the MLB scene with an incredible fastball that has blown away opposing hitters to the tune of a 45% strikeout rate and a 1.93 ERA.

The Major League leader in saves this season is Helsley, with 38. The 30-year-old right-hander has been dependable at the back end of the bullpen for the Cardinals, posting a 2.61 ERA over 51 appearances overall.

Suarez has been quietly outstanding for the Padres, with a 1.82 ERA, 28 saves and a 5.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in an All-Star campaign.