Predicting which Dodgers will represent LA at 2022 All-Star Game
The MLB All-Star Game is finally gracing Dodger Stadium with its presence after many years away! There are quite a few Dodgers players that could represent LA at the first All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium since 1980.
The Dodgers that are up for the vote as starters are:
- Freddie Freeman (1B)
- Gavin Lux (2B)
- Justin Turner (3B)
- Trea Turner (SS)
- Will Smith (C)
- Cody Bellinger (OF)
- Mookie Betts (OF)
- Chris Taylor (OF)
- Max Muncy (DH)
If I knew how to whistle, I’d be whistling right now — what a showing!
It would make sense that at least one of these players would make it into the starting lineup; there is a lot of talent on that list.
I’d also like to point out how amazing it is that it’s been 42 years since Dodger Stadium last held an All-Star Game and Rachel Robinson, Jackie Robinson‘s widow, is turning 100 the day of the game.
It would be pretty awesome to have as many Dodgers get voted in as possible, especially considering the location, the No. 42 and the significance of Mrs. Robinson’s birthday.
Of course, as you know, not every player we want to make the All-Star team will make the roster, so I thought I’d put together which Dodgers I predict will be representing LA this year, in no particular order.
Potential Dodgers All-Star: Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman, a southern California native, has had 279 at-bats so far this season and is currently batting .305. He’s hit 8 home runs, has 46 RBI, 6 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .389. I mean — if those aren’t All-Star numbers, what are, right?!
I think it’s pretty obvious that Freeman has been a welcome addition to the Dodgers lineup. After all that waiting around to see if he’d actually leave Atlanta, let alone sign with the Dodgers, it has absolutely been worth it.
Also, that Dodger Blue looks pretty great on him, doesn’t it?
Freeman is currently in third place among the other National League first basemen on the All-Star ballot, with 469,197 votes. I would expect nothing less other than to see Freeman in the top 3. Do I think he could pull ahead of Pete Alonso to secure second place? It all depends on how much voting has been done since these early results came out, and by which fans.
Having been an All-Star five times before, in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021 with the Atlanta Braves, Freeman has proven that he’s still of All-Star caliber and definitely deserves a spot on this year’s roster. If not as a starter, odds are very high Freeman will be selected by his peers/manager Brian Snitker as a reserve.
Potential Dodgers All-Star: Mookie Betts
If/when Mookie Betts’ health improves by the All-Star Game, who wouldn’t love to see him play in it?! He’s not only a fan favorite among Dodger fans, but among baseball fans in general. Although he is currently on the 10-day injured list with a cracked rib, Betts hopes that he will only be out for a couple of weeks. (Get well soon, Mookie!)
Betts has had 245 at-bats up to this point in the season, with 17 home runs, 40 RBI and 6 stolen bases. He’s batting .273 with an on-base percentage of .349.
As of earlier this week, Betts is leading the voting among National League outfielders with 1,446,050 total votes, the second-highest amount of votes in MLB behind Aaron Judge on the American League side. Judge has received 1,512,368 votes.
Betts was previously an American League All-Star with the Boston Red Sox from 2016-2019. Quite obviously, he is very deserving of being named an All-Star again for the sixth time; it would be his second with the Dodgers in as many years. He’ll likely start.
Potential Dodgers All-Star: Trea Turner
Trea Turner is another Dodger player who’s leading the votes! Does anyone else feel pretty great about seeing two Dodgers at the top of the votes? I know I do!
Among the other National League shortstops, Turner is currently in first place with 811,839 votes.
Turner has for sure been another welcome addition to the Dodgers lineup, with definite All-Star power (see below). The shortstop is a free agent after this season, though, as there hasn’t been a contract extension.
Across 284 at-bats so far this season, Turner has hit 10 home runs, has 53 RBI and has swiped 15 bases. He’s batting .317 and has an on-base percentage of .365.
With those numbers, I don’t see how he couldn’t be an All-Star this year. This would be Turner’s second All-Star Game, his first being in 2021 with the Washington Nationals. How cool would it be to see him as an All-Star this year, representing LA? Odds are he’ll start, too.
Potential Dodgers All-Star: Will Smith
Will Smith is arguably one of the best catchers in baseball right now. The 27-year-old righty is batting .262 across 214 at-bats so far this season. He’s hit 11 home runs and has 35 RBI with an on-base percentage of .347.
Smith is currently in fifth place among his fellow National League catchers according to the votes, but depending on how voting has gone since the first results came out last week, it is possible that his numbers could climb.
Although Smith has previously been deserving of an All-Star nod, it hasn’t happened for him yet; this year’s All-Star Game would be the catcher’s first. It would be pretty great for him to appear in his first All-Star Game, which also happens to be hosted at Dodger Stadium!
As far as pitchers go, I’m thinking we could see Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and/or Julio Urías make the club, too. Which Dodgers do you think will represent LA in this year’s All-Star Game?
Whoever makes it on the roster, it will be a must-watch game for sure! Catch it on July 19 at 4:30pm PST airing on FOX!