With the 2025 MLB All-Star Game just around the corner, fans can’t stop speculating about who’ll snag starting spots in the Midsummer Classic. The game lands July 15 at Atlanta’s Truist Park, and there’s a real buzz about the mix of proven stars and rising names in the conversation.
What’s especially catching everyone’s eye is the wave of first-time All-Star hopefuls. These are players who’ve torn it up this season and might just break into the starting lineup for the first time. Let’s dig into a few of the most intriguing names trying to earn that nod.
Cal Raleigh: The Mariners’ Powerhouse Behind the Plate
Not many catchers have fired up fans like Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh has this year. He’s smashed 24 home runs—more than any other catcher—and racked up a 4.0 WAR.
Raleigh’s got the rare combo of power at the plate and legit defensive chops. Mariners fans have to feel good seeing homegrown talent like this fueling their playoff hopes.
Will Smith’s Redemption Arc
Over in the National League, Dodgers catcher Will Smith is finally getting his due. For years, folks called him underrated, and he kept missing out on All-Star nods.
This season, he’s batting .327 and has a 2.4 WAR. Smith’s breakout makes him a top contender for a starting spot, which would really cement his place among MLB’s best.
The Outfield Spotlight: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Breakout
Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs is the breakout player everyone’s talking about. He’s got 16 home runs, 21 stolen bases, and makes highlight-reel plays in the field.
His WAR sits just a hair behind big names like Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. Crow-Armstrong feels like the future of outfield talent, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine the All-Star Game without him soon.
Established Veterans in Crowded Outfield Races
Meanwhile, established stars like Aaron Judge are still in the mix for starting outfield spots. Judge keeps crushing at the plate and flashing the glove in the field.
With veterans and newcomers battling it out, fan voting is bound to get interesting.
Shortstop Showdown: Peña, Winn, Witt, and Lindor
Shortstop might be the tightest race on the ballot this year. Houston’s Jeremy Peña, St. Louis’ Masyn Winn, and Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. are all putting up strong numbers on both sides of the ball.
Peña’s steady bat, Winn’s defense, and Witt’s all-around game make it tough to pick just one. And then there’s Francisco Lindor, who’s not letting anyone forget about him after a huge 2024 season.
Determining Factors for Shortstop Selections
Fan preferences and clutch moments in the next few weeks could tip the scale for who gets the nod at shortstop. It’s a tough call, and honestly, there’s no obvious answer.
Other Notable First-Time Contenders
Outside of catcher, outfield, and shortstop, a few more names are making noise for All-Star consideration:
- Ryan O’Hearn: The Orioles’ designated hitter is batting .317 with a 162 wRC+, making him Baltimore’s top All-Star hope right now.
- Brendan Donovan: Cardinals’ second baseman is leading all qualifiers at his position in WAR and wRC+, though Arizona’s Ketel Marte is right there with him.
- Matt Chapman: Blue Jays’ third baseman is still a defensive wizard, and now he’s added a 128 wRC+ and 2.2 WAR. He’s on track for another All-Star nod.
Emerging Stars and MLB’s Future
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game is shaping up as a sneak peek at baseball’s next wave. Several first-time candidates could steal the spotlight at Truist Park.
Cal Raleigh’s power stands out. Pete Crow-Armstrong brings an exciting, well-rounded game. There’s also the shortstop battle—honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll break through.
Fan voting always stirs up debate and will decide the starting lineups. Still, I’d say the Midsummer Classic feels like it’s in good hands, no matter how the ballots shake out.
As the voting unfolds, these players have to keep their momentum, stay healthy, and, maybe most importantly, win over fans everywhere.
Here is the source article for this story: Ranking the most compelling first-time ASG starter candidates
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