Yankees: Who has the best chance to make their first All-Star game?

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The Yankees roster heading into this season is one that’s stack with former All-Stars, 15 of them to be exact. Some of them have a good chance to be selected to play in this year’s game in Cleveland along with a couple of their teammates who have yet to experience being an All-Star.

Last season in Washington D.C. the Yankees were once again well-represented in the Midsummer’s Classic. Aaron Judge and Luis Severino both made their second of what should be many All-Star appearances between the two of them. Aroldis Chapman made his fifth All-Star game and rookie Gleyber Torres made his first, but both were unable to play due to injury.

This year I think we’ll see all four of them back on the AL squad as long as they can stay healthy. Gary Sanchez, who made his first appearance in 2017 also has a good chance to make the team. As does Dellin Betances for the fifth time after he was snubbed a season ago. As for which of their teammates might join them and earn their first All-Star nod, three names come to mind.

Before I continue one name you won’t see on this list is Didi Gregorius because he’s expected to miss the majority of the first of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. If he was healthy he’d be the first name I’d predict to play in his first All-Star game. Didi has had a strong case to make it for the past couple of seasons, but since the AL is filled with so many All-Star caliber shortstops, unfortunately, he’s been one of the odd men out.

It won’t be this season, but one of these years Didi will finally be able to call himself an All-Star. Let’s just hope he’s still a Yankee when that day comes. Now back to the list:

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 01: Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees follows through on his eighth inning home run, his third of the game, against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on July 1, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Hicks was in the mix to make the team in what was a career year for him in 2018 so this could be the season he takes that next step and becomes an All-Star. You could make a strong argument that outside of Mike Trout there wasn’t a better all-around center fielder in the American League last season than Hicks. Trout is a pretty much a guarantee to get voted in to start this year’s game once again along with Judge and Mookie Betts, but I think Hicks has a real opportunity to make it as a reserve.

That’s because Hicks has been trending upwards for the past two seasons and has become the five-tool player the Yankees always thought he could be. Last season he posted a career high in home runs (27), RBI (79) and BB’s (90) and did so in only 137 games. His .248 AVG wasn’t really All-Star caliber but his OBP (.366) and SLG% (.467) were when you compare them to some of the outfielders who made it ahead of him (George Springer, Shin-Soo Choo). As Hicks continues to develop as a more complete hitter there’s no reason not to think he can’t improve his average this season which could go a long way.

Hicks is just entering the prime years of his career and after being labeled a first-round bust with the Twins he’s finally reaching his potential. And yet, I think there’s still another gear he can get to. He’s also set to enter a contract year so you know he’s going to be extra motivated to put up big numbers before he becomes a free agent.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 29: Starter James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field on September 29, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

The newest addition to the Yankees starting rotation was another guy who definitely had a chance to make his first All-Star Game in 2018. Before a pair of DL stints forced him to miss about a month of the second half of the season Paxton had a great first half, going 8-4 with a 3.70 ERA and a whopping 155 strikeouts. During that span, he threw a no-hitter in one start after he struck out 16 batters in his previous start.

One of the things that makes Paxton so effective is he doesn’t walk guys and strikes out hitters at an incredibly high rate which is a rarity in today’s game. However, next season he will have to make an adjustment when he switches homes from a pitchers park in Safeco Field to a hitter’s park in Yankee Stadium because he can be prone to giving up the long ball.

Although, I don’t think the Yankees are acquiring the next Sonny Gray and believe that Paxton’s power stuff gives him the chance to dominate no matter what park he’s pitching in. Home runs are going to happen he just has to make sure the majority of them are solo shots. We’ll have to wait and see if he has the mental fortitude to handle New York, but if he can handle a bald eagle flying on his head as calmy as he did last season I like his chances.

Health is obviously the key for Paxton this season if he wants to make the All-Star game and help this Yankee team accomplish their goal of winning the division. Because when he’s healthy there’s no doubt he has ace-type stuff and the tools to be one of the best starters in the American League.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 29: Miguel Andujar #41 of the New York Yankees hits a two run home run against the Boston Red Sox in the fourth inning during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Last but not least is Miguel Andujar. During his rookie campaign in 2018, Andujar put up All-Star numbers and should have won AL Rookie of the Year. Two of the reasons he didn’t make the squad were that he didn’t start the season on the big league roster and the American League only featured two third basemen in MVP candidates Jose Ramirez and Alex Bregman.

Unfortunately for Miggy, both those stars are still in the AL, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make the team. Last year’s AL roster had three shortstops and three second basemen so things change year to year. He also earned a lot of respect from opposing players, coaches and fans in 2018 so if he puts up big numbers again he’ll be in the mix now that the league has a better understanding of the type of player he is.

Yankees: Who has the best chance to make their first All-Star game in 2019?

The Yankees roster heading into this season is one that’s stack with former All-Stars, 15 of them to be exact. Some of them have a good chance to be selected to play in this year’s game in Cleveland along with a couple of their teammates who have yet to experience being an All-Star.

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