10 Veterans Who Could Make Their First All-Star Game This Year

MLB’s All-Star Game is a showcase of the best talent in baseball. For some players, it’s an annual event. But for others, a first selection can be a career-defining moment.

Much of the All-Star attention often goes to the rising young stars who burst onto the scene. But there are also a handful of veterans who are likely on the cusp of making their own All-Star debuts in 2024.

Here are 10 of those players to look for this July when the festivities begin in Arlington, Texas.

1. Ranger Suárez, Philadelphia Phillies

Ranger Suárez is having the season of his life in 2024.

The 28-year-old left-hander has emerged as one of MLB’s dominant southpaws this season, sporting a 1.81 ERA (2.61 FIP) in 13 starts. His 222 ERA+ also leads all of baseball, as does his miniscule 0.85 WHIP. And in a rotation already staffed by co-aces Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, Suarez’s output only looks more impressive in comparison.

Fans don’t vote for the All-Star Game pitchers, but Suarez is the (extremely) likely choice to start the game for manager Torey Lovullo and the National League.

2. Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies

Bohm has a decent shot at joining his teammate Suárez in Texas next month as a first-time All-Star, especially given the way he’s been swinging the bat in 2024.

The 27-year-old has always been a good hitter, but he’s taken his game to a different level in 2024. The veteran third baseman has a 129 wRC+ and a .352 wOBA in 274 plate appearances so far, both of which would represent career-best marks over a full 162-game season should he sustain his pace.

It helps that Bohm plays for the best team in baseball by record, but make no mistake: the 27-year-old has more than earned the opportunity to represent Philadelphia in the 2024 All-Star Game.

3. Isaac Paredes, Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have been pretty average in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped Isaac Paredes from rising to the occasion at the dish.

With a 145 wRC+ and 10 home runs in 263 plate appearances, Paredes might be one of baseball’s more underrated players in 2024. And with outfielder Randy Arozarena and first baseman Yandy Diaz both playing below expectations, the path to the All-Star Game as Tampa’s representative looks unobstructed for Paredes, who also clocks in with 2 fWAR on the year.

Want another reason why Paredes deserves to make his first All-Star Game this season? Here’s our own Joe Rowan with a mind-blowing statistic:

“Since last season, no qualified third baseman has a higher wRC+ than Paredes. That alone should tell you the type of value he brings to southwest Florida.”

Joe Rowan, Just Baseball

4. Garrett Crochet, Chicago White Sox

Garrett Crochet sticks out like a sore thumb on the putrid Chicago White Sox, which is precisely why he’s tracking to be their lone representative at the 2024 All-Star Game in Texas.

The big southpaw has a 3.33 ERA in 14 starts this season, along with 103 strikeouts and a 0.93 WHIP. Furthermore, his 2.75 FIP suggests he’s actually running into some bad luck, which makes a lot of sense when you consider the team around him.

With Crochet finally staying healthy and putting up solid numbers, the summer season could shape up to be significant for him between that likely All-Star nod and a potential trade at the July deadline.

5. Reynaldo López, Atlanta Braves

Things have gone south to a degree for the Atlanta Braves in 2024, though they’re very much still in the conversation despite injuries to stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider.

Of course, not everything has fallen to the wayside for manager Brian Snitker’s crew this season. In fact, one of their bright spots has been the unforeseen development of Reynaldo Lopez as a dependable starting pitcher.

Lopez, 30, was once a top pitching prospect, so the potential was always there. But he’s capitalizing on it in 2024, to the tune of a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts. And his FIP, while somewhat higher at 3.00, is still solid enough to where he could finish with a career-best season, even with some regression on the horizon.

The Braves don’t have as many All-Star candidates as we would’ve expected coming into 2024, but Reynaldo Lopez undoubtedly deserves to join the National League squad for the first time in Texas next month.

6. Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles

Amidst all the success of the Baltimore Orioles’ young core, it can be easy to overlook the consistency of first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.

Mountcastle, 27, has never finished a season with less than a 108 wRC+ since debuting in 2020. But between the Orioles’ rebuild and their meteoric rise to the top led by heralded prospects Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, Mountcastle simply hasn’t been recognized for his performance.

That should look to change in 2024.

Mountcastle probably wouldn’t start the All-Star Game for the American League if he’s indeed selected, but he nonetheless deserves to be there. But truthfully? He probably should’ve been to a Midsummer Classic already.

7. Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals

Where would the Kansas City Royals be without Seth Lugo in 2024?

Sure, they have Cole Ragans, Brady Singer, Michael Wacha and Alec Marsh too, but Lugo has truly made an impact in Kansas City since arriving from San Diego via free agency.

The 34-year-old right-hander has a 2.36 ERA in 14 starts so far, the lowest mark on the club’s staff. And his role in leading a Royal resurgence in 2024 has him squarely positioned to be selected as an American League All-Star next month in Texas.

8. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

A pre-season Cy Young dark horse, Skubal seems to be making good on that promise in 2024.

The 27-year-old Tigers’ ace is pitching to a 1.92 ERA (2.18 FIP) across 13 starts so far, numbers which merit a discussion about whether he starts the 2024 All-Star Game for the American League, not just if he makes the trip down south.

And by the end of this season, we could be talking about more than just Tarik Skubal’s first career All-Star selection.

9. Jurickson Profar, San Diego Padres

Jurickson Profar’s career has been a journey of ups and downs, but his talent has always been evident.

As a versatile switch-hitter capable of playing multiple positions, Profar’s current value is immense, but never has it been more on display than in 2024 with the Padres.

The former top prospect is on pace to set career highs in just about every offensive category as he’s become the most consistent hitter in San Diego’s lineup (10 home runs, 171 wRc+, 2.8 fWAR). And that’s quite a feat given that Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ha-seong Kim also hit in that batting order (along with Xander Bogaerts, when healthy).

With about a month until the 2024 All-Star Game, Profar should be penciled in without hesitation for his first ever selection.

10. Tanner Houck, Boston Red Sox

One of MLB’s top breakout pitchers in 2024, Tanner Houck has been fabulous in the Boston Red Sox’ starting rotation so far.

Sporting a 1.91 ERA (2.21 FIP) over 13 starts, he’s in the same boat as Tarik Skubal: Houck could start the All-Star Game for the American League in his first selection year. This isn’t a discussion about whether or not he makes the team at this point.

Ultimately, the decision to start Houck or Skubal will come down to American League manager Bruce Bochy. In either case, though, he has two fairly elite options.