MLB announced the starting position players for the 2021 All-Star game on Thursday night for both the National League and American League.
The NL lineup features no Mets, as despite being in first-place, they haven’t had any standouts on the offensive side of the ball.
It does feature two NL East representatives: Freddie Freeman (timely, considering he hit a walk-off single against the Mets Wednesday night) at first base, and Robert Acuna Jr. in the outfield. It will be Freeman’s third career All-Star game start. He was voted in over the Dodgers’ Max Muncy, despite Muncy having a wRC+ of 170 compared to Freeman’s 124.
Acuna was the highest vote-getter in the NL, trailing only Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in MLB.
Maybe the most surprising inclusion in the NL starting lineup is Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier, who at age 29 is having a breakout season. He’s never posted an fWAR above 2.2 in his career, but he already has 2.5 this year, along with a 141 wRC+.
The shortstop hole will be filled by young Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr., while established superstar Nolan Arenado will man the hot corner in his first season with the Cardinals.
Buster Posey will turn back the clock behind the plate, as the longtime Giants star appeared to be fading but at age 38 is having the best offensive season of his career with a 168 wRC+.
Along with Acuna, the outfield will be rounded out by two Reds in Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker.
The AL starters can be viewed here.
The NL team has strangely lost the last seven All-Star games, and 19 of the last 23. They’re 43-45 against the AL all-time, with two ties. There was no All-Star game in 2020 due to the strange, shortened season.
The pitchers and reserves will be announced on July 4, and the game will be played at Coors Field on July 13.
