AL All-Stars: Imagining the 2020 Midsummer Classic

What would the 2020 AL All-Stars look like? Let’s look at positions 2-5.

It doesn’t feel right that the 2020 MLB All-Star Game won’t happen this year. It marks the first time since World War II that baseball fans won’t have a Midsummer Classic. While important issues are going on, there’s still an opportunity to pay tribute to the performers who shined in MLB’s shortened season.

You will find some familiar faces and a few new stars emerging. It’s a group that ranges from potential Rookie of the Year candidates to 40-year old Nelson Cruz. Not every team has a representative, and players who are injured who are also considered AL All-Stars are exempt.

It’s been a bizarre season, but let’s meet the unofficial AL All-Stars.

C, Pedro Severino

Even though the Baltimore Orioles have come back to earth after a surprising start, Pedro Severino continues to roll along. He’s been the lone bright spot in a sparse Orioles lineup, and the former Washington National is having a breakout season.  Severino is enjoying a .303/.380/.517/.897 slash line in his second season behind the plate for Baltimore. It would have been Severino’s first career All-Star appearance.

1B, Jose Abreu

Jose Abreu has been a consistent force in the Chicago White Sox lineup. The Cuban’s 12 home runs and 30 RBIs lead the league as he’s slashing .313/.357/.649/1.006 in 33 games this season. Abreu started the season with a cold bat. But, that all changed thanks to a 10-game hitting streak and a three-home run game against the Chicago Cubs.

2B, Brandon Lowe

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays is back for his second consecutive All-Star selection. The 26-year old picked up where he left off last season. He leads all second baseman with ten home runs and 27 RBI. Lowe has throttled himself as one of the game’s best infielders in the first half of the season. He was a runner up for the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and could be in the discussion for the AL MVP crown.

3B, Anthony Rendon

The Los Angeles Angels landed an All-Star who’s coming off a World Series championship. Anthony Rendon went from missing the first week of the season to homering in his first game back. Since then, he hasn’t stopped hitting, and he’s wasting no time settling in with his new team. With a group that includes Matt Chapman, Jose Ramirez, and Gio Urshela, Rendon’s tenure has exceeded expectations. In his first 27 games, the third baseman delivered a .316/.422/.541 slash line with six home runs.

Infield reserves: Cavan Biggio, David Fletcher, Luke Voit, Matt Chapman, Salvador Perez, Gary Sanchez.

What would the 2020 AL All-Stars look like? Let’s look at positions 6-9.

SS, Tim Anderson

If Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays weren’t on the IL, this would be his spot to claim. Instead, Abreu’s teammate, Tim Anderson, gets the start at shortstop. Anderson’s offensive growth over the past two seasons has been incredible, winning the 2019 AL batting title with a .335 average. In the shortened 2020 season, Anderson continues to be an offensive threat, hitting a .361/.398/.649 slash line with six homers and eight doubles.

OF, Kyle Lewis

The real takeaway of this outfield is the emergence of Kyle Lewis. He has followed a strong major league debut last September by becoming a favorite for the Rookie of the Year Award. The Seattle Mariners aren’t in playoff contention, but Lewis’ offensive continues to impress. He’s slashing .360/.446/.568, and he’s in the American League top five for hits. The 25-year old is a good, young offensive player with a mature approach, and his future continues to be bright.

OF, Mike Trout

We couldn’t leave out the best player in the sport. Trout isn’t getting on base much as he has in the past, but his numbers are good enough. The three-time AL MVP is putting up a slash line of .282/.360/.632. Though Trout only has 12 home runs and his 32 RBI is a league-best. Trout’s greatness should never be taken for granted. It would have been his ninth consecutive All-Star selection.

OF, Luis Robert

He may not be a right fielder, but it doesn’t matter. Luis Robert is an All-Star, and he’s made a strong case to be on the roster. The 23-year old is the only other player chasing after Kyle Lewis for the Rookie of the Year title. He leads all rookies with eight home runs and continues to be an exciting player to watch. Similar to teammate Tim Anderson, Robert would lose the spot if a healthy Aaron Judge was in the New York Yankee lineup.

Outfield and designated hitter reserves: Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernadez, Robbie Grossman, Franmil Reyes.