The American League is lacking top-quality arms heading into the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. However, it still has some big bats (Mark Trumbo, Big Papi), big names (Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera) and slick gloves (Jose Altuve, Manny Machado) that can trouble the NL.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the entire American League All-Star roster – from the starters and reserves to the pitchers – ahead of the Midsummer Classic. Meanwhile, check out our preview of the NL All-Stars here.
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There isn’t an overwhelming amount of power in the American League’s starting lineup, although David Ortiz, Mike Trout, and Manny Machado can all go deep. Instead, this team is littered with outstanding contact hitters who are also very handy with their gloves.
Everyone save for catcher Sal Perez is batting .300 or higher. Meanwhile, Trout, along with the Red Sox’s young trio of Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Mookie Betts, don’t have Gold Gloves, but all are above average defenders for their positions.
Reserves
Position
Player
Team
C
Stephen Vogt
Oakland Athletics
C
Matt Wieters
Baltimore Orioles
1B
Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Tigers
2B
Robinson Cano
Seattle Mariners
3B
Josh Donaldson
Toronto Blue Jays
IF
Eduardo Núñez
Minnesota Twins
SS
Francisco Lindor
Cleveland Indians
OF
Carlos Beltran
New York Yankees
OF
Ian Desmond
Texas Rangers
OF
Michael Saunders
Toronto Blue Jays
OF
Mark Trumbo
Baltimore Orioles
DH
Edwin Encarnacion
Toronto Blue Jays
The AL may not have too much power to start, but it does have some big bats in reserve. Robinson Cano (21), Josh Donaldson (23) and Edwin Encarnacion (23) are all inside the top 12 in the majors in home runs. And of course, they have the top masher, Mark Trumbo, who has 28 homers so far this season. Carlos Beltran (.299, 19 HRs), Ian Desmond (.322, 15 HRs, 55 RBIs) and Michael Saunders (.298, 16 HRs) are also all having very solid seasons with the bat.
Pitchers
Player
Hand
Team
Dellin Betances
Right
New York Yankees
Brad Brach
Right
Baltimore Orioles
Zach Britton
Left
Baltimore Orioles
Alex Colome
Right
Tampa Bay Rays
Cole Hamels
Left
Texas Rangers
Will Harris
Right
Houston Astros
Kelvin Herrera
Right
Kansas City Royals
Corey Kluber
Right
Cleveland Indians
Andrew Miller
Left
New York Yankees
Jose Quintana
Left
Chicago White Sox
Chris Sale
Left
Chicago White Sox
Aaron Sanchez
Right
Toronto Blue Jays
Steven Wright
Right
Boston Red Sox
The back of the AL’s bullpen has taken quite a hit with the injuries to closers Wade Davis and Craig Kimbrel. However, AL manager Net Yost can still call on the likes of Zach Britton – 27 saves this season for the O’s – and Andrew Miller in the later innings.
However, the bigger concern could be the AL’s lack of ace-caliber starters, especially now that Danny Salazar won’t be able to pitch. That’s likely why the AL is a slight +103 underdog to win the game.
White Sox ace Chris Sale will likely be the team’s starter, but he’s given up 12 runs in 12 innings over two starts this July. Reigning AL Cy Young Corey Kluber – who was only an injury replacement – and Cole Hamels have also been somewhat inconsistent this season.
