Every year, eager MLB fans await the Summer Classic MLB All-Star Game to see the best players in the game play in exhibition purely for the enjoyment of players and fans. During the All-Star weekend, several activities including the Home Run Derby, Celebrity All-Star Game, Futures Game and First-Year Player Draft. This year, the Seattle Mariners and the beautiful oceanside Washington city will host the All-Star weekend one year removed from when the All-Star Game was hosted right in Southern California at Dodger Stadium. Unexpected players came from both leagues came from the shadows to show the country what they’re made of, and this year we expect the same. More specifically, this is what a few Bulldog Times staff members and editors had to say about this year’s All-Star Game and who we expect to see in July:

Avery Rosas – Sports Editor

AL

C: Adley Rutschman, BAL

1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR

2B: Brandon Lowe, TB

3B: Matt Chapman, TOR

SS: Carlos Correa, MIN

LF: Yordan Alvarez, HOU

CF: Mike Trout, LAA

RF: Aaron Judge, NYY

DH: Shohei Ohtani, LAA

SP: Drew Rasmussen, TB

CP: Yennier Cano, BAL

Rosas: Rutschman has already shown he’s the real deal and could not only be an All-Star starter but be in the race for MVP next year if not already this year. Drew Rasmussen has had 2 fantastic starts in his first 2 games of the year, and I don’t expect him to slow down against any stronger opponents he’s due to face. Not many outfielders would make sense besides Judge, Trout and Alvarez, especially since All-Star voting has become a popularity contest more than anything; however, Yennier Cano and his 92% whiff-rate splitter are here to show the world what Baltimore has to offer from the bullpen.

NL

C: Will Smith, LAD

1B: Freddie Freeman, LAD

2B: Luis Arraez, MIA

3B: Nolan Arenado, STL

SS: Francisco Lindor, NYM

LF: Juan Soto, SD

CF: Bryan Reynolds, PIT

RF: Mookie Betts, LAD

DH: Joey Meneses, WSH

SP: Julio Urías, LAD

CP: AJ Minter, ATL

Rosas: 4 Dodgers made the list not because of bias but because it is the absolute truth; Freeman has continued his hitting as the best first baseman in baseball, Will Smith is finally being recognized as possibly the best catcher in baseball, Mookie Betts continues being Mookie Betts, and Julio Urias

David Rodriguez – Staff Writer, Sports

AL

C: Lebanon James

David does not watch baseball, however he wanted to participate.

Max Hemming – Staff Writer, Features

AL

C: Mike Zunino, CLE

1B: Jose Abreu, HOU

2B: Jose Altuve, HOU

3B: Rafael Devers, BOS

SS: Bo Bichette, TOR

LF: Randy Arozarena, TB

CF: Mike Trout, LAA

RF: Aaron Judge, NYY

DH: Shohei Ohtani, LAA

SP: Gerrit Cole, NYY

CP: Aroldis Chapman, KC

Hemming: For every player I picked it was really from the statistics of the performances these players have shown recently so I could argue that it would make sense to pick the top performers but I wouldn’t underestimate some of the runner ups for some.

NL

C: JT Realmuto, PHI

1B: Freddie Freeman, LAD

2B: Ozzie Albies, ATL

3B: Nolan Arenado, STL

SS: Brandon Crawford, SF

LF: Juan Soto, SD

CF: Mookie Betts, LAD

RF: Bryce Harper, PHI

DH: JD Martinez, LAD

SP: Max Scherzer, NYM

CP: Josh Hader, SD

Hemming: Again for all of these picks for the NL, I only picked from what statistics I’ve seen from each player such as Mookie Betts who is considered one of the best all- around players in baseball and his offense and defense skill make him an exceptional choice for a top contender.

Trina Lizama – Staff Writer, Sports

AL

C – Adley Rutschman, BAL

1B – Vladimir Guerrero Jr, TOR

2B – Mauricio Dubon, HOU

3B – Matt Chapman, TOR

SS – Wander Franco, TB

LF – Yordan Alvarez, HOU

CF – Mike Trout, LAA

RF – Trevor Larnach, MIN

DH – Giancarlo Stanton, NYY

SP – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

CP – Jordan Romano, TOR

Lizama: In order to pick these players, I went purely based on current stats from this season. Some players I have had prior knowledge of how they play and such.

NL

C – JT Realmuto, PHI

1B – Freddie Freeman, LAD

2B – Luis Arraez, MIA

3B – Nolan Arenado, STL

SS – Trea Turner, PHI

LF – Juan Soto, SD

CF – Brandon Nimmo, NYM

RF – Ronald Acuña Jr, ATL

DH – Nelson Cruz, SD

SP – Anthony DeSclafani, SF

CP – Josh Hader, SD

Lizama: Also with these players, I have went off current stats and I had known more about these players in the NL.

Adrielle Kristine Dumandan – Content Creator, Social Media

AL

C – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

1B – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

2B – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

3B – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

SS – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

LF –  Shohei Ohtani, LAA

CF – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

RF – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

DH – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

SP – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

CP – Shohei Ohtani, LAA

Adrielle has never watched sports in her life, and the only baseball player she knows is Shohei Ohtani. She did not include predictions for the National League; perhaps they are also Shohei Ohtani, just on the Dodgers instead of the Angels.