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Sometime next week, the 29th DTBL All-Star Game will take place at the Demidome, home of Dom’s Demigods. Last time they hosted, the American Division won one of the most lopsided All-Star games in league history, with a 12-1 victory back in 2012. Recent editions have been far more competitive with the last four games being decided by two runs or fewer, including an American 3-1 victory last year.
22 players will make their first DTBL All-Star appearance this year, including exactly half of the players selected in the first round of this year’s draft. That loaded draft class is certainly living up to the hype so far. The two starting pitchers for this game are also first time All-Stars, though not DTBL rookies. Komodos’ lefty Framber Valdez gets the nod for the American Division while Zac Gallen of the Demigods will be the first pitcher on the mound for the National All-Stars.
On the opposite end of the All-Star experience spectrum, we have Mavericks ace Clayton Kershaw making his ninth appearance. Leading the way in experience among hitters is Jackalope first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, now an eight time All-Star.
The first place Komodos have seven players on the American roster with five of them getting starting assignments. Interestingly, almost the entire American starting lineup will be Komodos and Jackalope. For the National Division, the Kings have a league high eight All-Stars, half of whom will be starters.
A few notable omissions from these rosters include speedy Darhorses outfielder Esteury Ruiz who already has 40 stolen bases, Mavericks second baseman Ozzie Albies and Diamond Dogs shortstop Bo Bichette.
Without further ado, here are the 2023 DTBL All-Stars.
American Division
Starters:
- Pitcher – Framber Valdez, Komodos (1st All-Star appearance)
- Catcher – Jonah Heim, Komodos (1st)
- First Base - Paul Goldschmidt, Jackalope (8th)
- Second Base – Jonathan India, Jackalope (1st)
- Third Base - Jose Ramirez, Komodos (4th)
- Shortstop – Wander Franco, Komodos (1st)
- Outfield – Ronald Acuna, Jackalope (3rd)
- Outfield - Shohei Ohtani, Moonshiners (3rd)
- Outfield – Luis Robert, Komodos (1st)
Reserves:
- Catcher – Adley Rutschman, Choppers (1st)
- First Base - Pete Alonso, Choppers (2nd)
- Shortstop – Nico Hoerner, Choppers (1st)
- Outfield – Adolis Garcia, Jackalope (2nd)
- Outfield - Kyle Tucker, Moonshiners (2nd)
- Outfield – Julio Rodriguez, Diamond Dogs (1st)
- Pitcher – Luis Castillo, Jackalope (1st)
- Pitcher – Gerrit Cole, Jackalope (6th)
- Pitcher – Shane McClanahan, Komodos (2nd)
- Pitcher – Nathan Eovaldi, Diamond Dogs (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Devin Williams, Komodos (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Josh Hader, Diamond Dogs (5th)
- Relief Pitcher – Jordan Romano, Choppers (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Emmanuel Clase, Choppers (2nd)
National Division
Starters:
- Pitcher – Zac Gallen, Demigods (1st)
- Catcher – Sean Murphy, Kings (1st)
- First Base – Freddie Freeman, Demigods (7th)
- Second Base – Marcus Semien, Kings (2nd)
- Third Base – Austin Riley, Kings (2nd)
- Shortstop – Bobby Witt, Mavericks (1st)
- Outfield - Mookie Betts, Kings (5th)
- Outfield – Corbin Carroll, Demigods (1st)
- Outfield – Christian Yelich, Darkhorses (2nd)
Reserves:
- Catcher – Will Smith, Kings (1st)
- First Base – Matt Olson, Kings (2nd)
- Second Base – Ketel Marte, Cougars (1st)
- Shortstop – Fernando Tatis, Demigods (2nd)
- Outfield – Randy Arozarena, Kings (3rd)
- Outfield – Nick Castellanos, Mavericks (2nd)
- Pitcher – Kevin Gausman, Cougars (2nd)
- Pitcher - Clayton Kershaw, Mavericks (9th)
- Pitcher – Spencer Strider, Darkhorses (1st)
- Pitcher – Marcus Stroman, Demigods (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Felix Bautista, Darkhorses (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Alexis Diaz, Mavericks (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – Camilo Doval, Kings (1st)
- Relief Pitcher – David Bednar, Demigods (2nd)
All-Stars per team:
- 8 – Kings
- 7 – Komodos
- 6 – Demigods, Jackalope
- 5 – Choppers
- 4 – Mavericks
- 3 – Darkhorses, Diamond Dogs
- 2 – Cougars, Moonshiners
Mike and I will be the managers for the American and National Divisions respectively. We were responsible for breaking all ties in the vote and selecting the 23rd and final player for each roster. Those 23rd player selections were Julio Rodriguez and Ketel Marte. Here are the full voting results. One person did not vote, so players who received nine votes were unanimous selections.