Last year I tried to predict what the starting lineups for the 2027 All-Star Game would be. Now that we know who was chosen as the starter for this year’s game, I thought it might be fun to predict Game 2028, which is now five years away. (Can you believe 2028 is five years away? Time is a flat circle, folks.) There will be some overlap with last year’s list, but a lot has changed in the last year too. What will the ASG line-up look like in five years? Let’s guess.
Players are listed with their current age and team, although of course the team is subject to change by 2028.
Catcher: Adleyrutschman, Orioles (25 years)
It has been nearly a decade since the Orioles extended one of their prospects through arbitration to prevent them from going free. It certainly feels like they’re trying to replace that withrutschman, who will still be a year away from free agency in 2028. Even considering the unpredictability of a catcher’s career, this might be the safest call on this board.
First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (age 24)
Unlike Chuchman, Vlad Jr. (who is actually younger than the Orioles’ captor) will have reached free agency well before 2028. It’s hard to imagine the Blue Jays letting him go, but whether he’s still in the American League is hard to imagine for anyone else at this point. However, if he leaves, could Top-A candidate Tyler Soderstrom end up here?
Second base: Jace Jung, Tigers (aged 22)
That’s pretty ambitious for the little brother of 2023 AL All-Star starter Josh Jung of Rangers. But Jace is a top 100 contender and the top second baseball contender in the American League, a position where young players are few. Also, check out this swing.
Shortstop: Wander Franco, Rays (22 years)
Franco was the pick last year, and that was before he became the AL MVP nominee for best baseball team this year. Plus, he’s still so young that he’s almost certainly going to start in a game or two before 2028.
Third base: Rafael Devers, Red Sox (age 26)
With his contract extension in hand, we know Devers will still be in Boston through 2028 and he will only just be in his 30s. Other possibilities include Josh Jung, maybe the Orioles’ Jordan Westburg and, for that matter, José Ramírez (who will only be 35 by then).
Outfield: Riley Greene, Tigers (age 22); Julio Rodríguez, Mariners (22 years old); Mike Trout, Angels (31 years old)
J-Rod hits the spot here and gives us optimism about Greene, even if it puts us in the odd position of having two Tigers on the 2028 All-Star Game roster. (Buy your Tigers stock now!) Third place depends on whether you believe Trout or Aaron Judge will still be sane in 2028.
Trout is only a few months older than Judge and both are struggling with injuries. It’s actually a coin toss, although it’s possible one (or both) may have been named batsman by then. There was also a temptation to smuggle Juan Soto here depending on where he signs in two years.
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros (26 years)
There are many contenders here, from Judge/Trout to possibly Shohei Ohtani, depending on where he signs this offseason. But Alvarez will almost certainly be primarily a DH by 2028, and he’s definitely going to strike, so he’s the pick.
Starting Pitcher: Shane McClanahan, Rays (aged 26)
It’s so hard to predict how young pitchers will develop, as evidenced by the fact that last year’s pick, Alek Manoah, was sent to the Minors after a very difficult start to the season. So let’s just admit that we’re just guessing here.
Catcher: Francisco Alvarez, Mets (21 years)
He still has work to do behind the team but if you give him five years he should be an even greater asset in defence. We definitely know the racquet games and we will for a long time.
First base: Jordan Walker, Cardinals (age 21)
This might seem like an odd choice considering Walker has yet to play a game at majors first base. But it’s a logical position for someone his stature, and by 2028, Paul Goldschmidt will (probably) not have left St. Louis for a long time. I bet he ends up here.
Second base: Miguel Vargas, Dodgers (age 23)
While he didn’t exactly break the cover in his first three months with Chavez Ravine, he certainly showed enough to create plenty of excitement about what he will look like in the next half decade.
Shortstop: Elly De La Cruz, Reds (aged 21)
Will he end up at shortstop? That’s up for debate, but what’s not the case is the fact that he’s as exciting baseball talent as we’ve seen in a long time. Wherever he ends up, he’ll be at the center of baseball conversation for years to come.
Third Base: Austin Riley, Braves (age 26)
He hasn’t quite matched his blistering pace from last year but is still the best young player at the position, at least until Ke’Bryan Hayes starts hitting the ball a little harder.
Outfield: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (age 25); Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres (aged 24); Corbin Carroll, D-Backs (aged 22)
This was a stacked position before Tatis moved here and Carroll established himself as an MVP candidate. I mean, Juan Soto isn’t here. Why isn’t Juan Soto here?
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (aged 28)
I mean… don’t pretend to be surprised.
Starting Pitcher: Zac Gallen, D-Backs (27 years)
That’s purely conjecture, of course, but he’s an under-30 pitcher who’s believed to be a superstar right now.