The 2017 DTBL All-Star Game will be the 24th annual mid-summer classic between the American and National Divisions. Charlie will be the manager for the American squad while I will take the reigns for the National team. I haven’t decided exactly how the game will be played this year. It will likely be played using the Out of the Park baseball simulation game again. However, I may scale back the amount of time and effort I put into it this year. This is TBD though. I’ll announce the plans once they’ve been finalized. The Choppers are the host team for this year’s game. The last time they were host, ten years ago, the American Division won the biggest blowout in All-Star Game history, 17-2. But the American team will be looking for revenge this year after losing by a dozen a year ago.
As for the players making up the All-Star rosters, it is a pretty interesting group. Not surprisingly, there are a whole bunch of guys with eye-popping offensive numbers. But while pitchers have struggled a bit this season as a whole, you wouldn’t know it by looking at these guys’ stats.
There are a few notable players who weren’t able to make the teams. Much like the National League in MLB, the American Division features a ton of great third basemen this year, leading to the omission of Jose Ramirez, Anthony Rendon and Miguel Sano. Outfielders Adam Duvall and Mookie Betts were among the most deserving non-invitees for the National squad. Betts probably would have made it had a majority of the league not already voted before his monster game this past Sunday.
Now for the guys who did make the teams. Here are your 2017 DTBL All-Stars.
American Division
Starters:
- Pitcher – Chris Sale, Choppers (6th All-Star appearance)
- Catcher – Salvador Perez, Gators (2nd)
- First Base – Joey Votto, Naturals (2nd)
- Second Base – Brian Dozier, Moonshiners (2nd)
- Third Base – Jake Lamb, Moonshiners (1st)
- Shortstop – Corey Seager, Gators (2nd)
- Outfield – Khris Davis, Moonshiners (1st)
- Outfield – Corey Dickerson, Gators (1st)
- Outfield – Marcell Ozuna, Naturals (1st)
Reserves:
- Catcher – Gary Sanchez, Jackalope (1st)
- First Base – Paul Goldschmidt, Jackalope (5th)
- Third Base – Nolan Arenado, Naturals (3rd)
- Shortstop – Chris Owings, Naturals (2nd)
- Outfield – Trea Turner, Naturals (2nd)
- Outfield – Giancarlo Stanton, Jackalope (4th)
- Pitcher – Zack Greinke, Moonshiners (5th)
- Pitcher – Dallas Keuchel, Moonshiners (2nd)
- Pitcher – Robbie Ray, Moonshiners (1st)
- Pitcher – Carlos Carrasco, Naturals (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Craig Kimbrel, Choppers (5th)
- Relief Pitcher – Roberto Osuna, Moonshiners (2nd)
- Relief Pitcher – Greg Holland, Naturals (2nd)
- Relief Pitcher – Raisel Iglesias, Naturals (1st)
National Division
Starters:
- Pitcher – Max Scherzer, Kings (4th)
- Catcher – Buster Posey, Demigods (6th)
- First Base – Ryan Zimmerman, Demigods (1st)
- Second Base – Daniel Murphy, Darkhorses (2nd)
- Third Base – Ryon Healy, Kings (1st)
- Shortstop – Elvis Andrus, Darkhorses (3rd)
- Outfield – Bryce Harper, Darkhorses (3rd)
- Outfield – Aaron Judge, Mavericks (1st)
- Outfield – Mike Trout, Mavericks (6th)
Reserves:
- Catcher – Brian McCann, Darkhorses (4th)
- First Base – Freddie Freeman, Demigods (2nd)
- Second Base – Jose Altuve, Demigods (4th)
- Shortstop – Carlos Correa, Kings (1st)
- Outfield – George Springer, Darkhorses (2nd)
- Outfield – Charlie Blackmon, Cougars (2nd)
- Pitcher – Clayton Kershaw, Mavericks (7th)
- Pitcher – Carlos Martinez, Darkhorses (1st)
- Pitcher – Stephen Strasburg, Mavericks (3rd)
- Pitcher – Corey Kluber, Demigods (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Kenley Jansen, Mavericks (4th)
- Relief Pitcher – Corey Knebel, Darkhorses (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Andrew Miller, Mavericks (3rd)
- Relief Pitcher – Jim Johnson, Darkhorses (2nd)
All-Stars per team:
- 8 – Darkhorses, Naturals
- 7 – Moonshiners
- 6 – Mavericks
- 5 – Demigods
- 3 – Gators, Jackalope, Kings
- 2 – Choppers
- 1 – Cougars
Nolan Arenado was selected as the 23rd player for the American Division. On the National side, Elvis Andrus, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa all received eight votes. Andrus was given the starting nod, so take your pick between Altuve or Correa as the official 23rd man. Either way, all are deserving All-Stars. Just like last year, there are 15 first time DTBL All-Stars, including the entire American starting outfield and headlined by Aaron Judge for the National Division. Clayton Kershaw is the All-Star veteran, making his seventh appearance. Buster Posey and Chris Sale are on their sixth All-Star squads. Here are the full voting results. More All-Star Game coverage coming soon.