Tim Anderson swing

Five players deserving their first All-Star selection in 2021

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Don’t be surprised if the MLB All-Star roster in 2021 has a different look to it than past games. Since the last All-Star Game in 2019, a new set of stars has started to make their mark on the game. Many of those players are off to a great start this season and are now poised to step onto the All-Star stage for the first time.

Let’s make some All-Star predictions for players who will likely be appearing in their first of many All-Star Games this year.

MLB All-Star roster 2021

Tim Anderson, White Sox

Somehow, Tim Anderson has managed to win a batting title and a Silver Slugger Award before being named to an All-Star Team.

He’s 27 and is now playing in his sixth big league season. However, he’s been constantly overshadowed by some of the other great shortstops in baseball.

Anderson isn’t even having one of his best seasons, although he’s coming on strong lately, making it hard to argue against him being one of the two or three best shortstops in the American League right now.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

This is bound to be the first of many All-Star Games for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who is putting up better numbers at age 22 than his Hall of Fame father was at the same age.

       

He currently leads the majors in average and home runs and is close to the top in RBIs as well. That makes Guerrero a legitimate Triple Crown threat and a no-brainer to make his first all-star appearance in 2021.

Rafael Devers, Red Sox

It’s almost hard to believe that this will be the first all-star selection for Rafael Devers. Granted, the kid is only 25, but he made his debut in 2017, making this his fifth season in the majors.

He’s also putting up numbers that are comparable to his 2019 season when he was snubbed.

But with 15 home runs and an OPS of .917, there’s no question that he’s been the best third baseman in the American League this year. Not only will he be selected for the All-Star Game but Devers should be starting.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres

Much like Guerrero, you can put Fernando Tatis Jr. under the category of “first of many.”

Not even two brief stints on the IL have been able to slow down Tatis in 2021. He’s already matched his home run total from last season despite playing 16 fewer games than he did in all of 2020.

       

In other words, he could easily hit 50 home runs this season if he can avoid the IL moving forward. While he may not be a Triple Crown threat like Guerrero, Tatis is an obvious all-star selection.

Zack Wheeler, Phillies

He was also good with the Mets but Zack Wheeler has taken his game to another level with the Phillies this year.

The difference is that he’s been remarkably consistent from one start to the next. Wheeler is going at least seven innings deep into almost every start and has been one of the first pitchers in the National League to reach 100 strikeouts this year. If Wheeler isn’t given his first all-star selection this year, there’s something wrong.

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