2021 MLB All-Star Game rosters announced

The full rosters for the Mid-Summer Classic are set. Sunday MLB announced the pitchers and reserve players selected for the 2021 All-Star game at Coors Field in Denver.

The league announced the elected starters for the game last week. In the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays led with three starters – first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., second baseman Marcus Semien and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. In the National League, the game’s original host team, the Atlanta Braves (first baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.), and the Cincinnati Reds (outfielders Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker) led with two starters each. 

The starting rosters are follows:

American League:

C: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays2B: Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays3B: Rafael Devers, Boston Red SoxSS: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red SoxOF: Mike Trout, Los Angeles AngelsOF: Aaron Judge, New York YankeesOF: Teoscar Hernández, Toronto Blue JaysDH: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

National League:

C: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants1B: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves2B: Adam Frazier, Pittsburgh Pirates3B: Nolan Arenado, St. Louis CardinalsSS: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego PadresOF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta BravesOF: Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati RedsOF: Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds

The big question entering Sunday was whether Shohei Ohtani, the two-way stud on the Los Angeles Angels would be selected as a pitcher, in addition to already being voted the American League starter at designated hitter. Ohtani received 121 votes from players managers and coaches Sunday, securing his historic second roster spot. Ohtani also hit his MLB-leading 31st home run Sunday.

The rest of the AL’s pitching staff includes:

Gerrit Cole, New York YankeesShane Bieber, Cleveland IndiansNathan Eovaldi, Boston Red SoxKyle Gibson, Texas RangersYusei Kikuchi, Seattle MarinersLance Lynn, Chicago White SoxCarlos Rodón, Chicago White SoxMatt Barnes, Boston Red SoxAroldis Chapman, New York YankeesLiam Hendricks, Chicago White SoxRyan Pressly, Houston AstrosGregory Soto, Detroit Tigers

The NL’s pitchers include:

Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee BrewersYu Darvish, San Diego PadresJacob deGrom, New York MetsKevin Gausman, San Francisco GiantsGermán Márquez, Colorado RockiesTrevor Rogers, Miami MarlinsZack Wheeler, Philadelphia PhilliesBrandon Woodruff, Milwaukee BrewersJosh Hader, Milwaukee BrewersCraig Kimbrell, Chicago White SoxMark Melancon, San Diego PadresAlex Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals

The AL’s reserve position players are:

Mike Zunino, Tampa Bay RaysJose Altuve, Houston AstrosBo Bichette, Toronto Blue JaysCarlos Correa, Houston AstrosMatt Olson, Oakland AthleticsJosé  Ramírez, Cleveland IndiansJared Walsh, Los Angeles AngelsJ.D. Martinez, Boston Red SoxNelson Cruz, Minnesota TwinsMichael Brantley, Houston AstrosJoey Gallo, Texas RangersAdolis García, Texas RangersCedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles

The NL’s reserves include: 

J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia PhilliesOzzie Albies, Atlanta BravesKris Bryant, Chicago CubsBrandon Crawford, San Francisco GiantsJake Cronenworth, San Diego PadresEduardo Escobar, Arizona DiamondbacksMax Muncy, Los Angeles DodgersTrea Turner, Washington NationalsMookie Betts, Los Angeles DodgersBryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh PiratesJuan Soto, Washington NationalsChris Taylor, Los Angeles Dodgers

Two of the players added to the All-Star Rosters Sunday will not make appearances at Coors. Indians starter and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, and Washington Nationals outfielder Kyle Schwarber are both injured. Schwarber hit 16 home runs in the month of June before landing on the injured list Saturday.

With the addition of four representatives Sunday, the Red Sox will be the most represented team in Denver next week with five. The Padres top the NL with four representatives.  

The game was moved to Denver from Atlanta shortly after the start of the 2021 season, because of concerns over controversial voting laws in the state of Georgia.

“I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Jr. announced at the time. 

The festivities at Coors Field kick off Sunday, July 11, with the Futures Game, featuring MLB’s top prospects, and the Celebrity Softball Game. The 2021 MLB All-Star Game itself will be Tuesday, July 13.