3 Yankees players who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023

Now, this is a tough list to put together for the New York Yankees, a high-priced roster packed with players who were specifically brought to town because ... well, because they'd already made All-Star teams before. It's tough to be both a Yankee and under-the-radar.

That said, it goes both ways. For a couple of rising stars, performing well in New York could be the necessary boost to earn a trip to the Midsummer Classic in Seattle. After all, look at what happened to Nestor Cortes and Jose Trevino last season.

Both were borderline cases who might've gotten snubbed if they played their home games in Milwaukee. It's fine to admit this; snubs happen every summer, and sometimes they're glaring. It's still somewhat wild that Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen and his eventual 141 OPS+ didn't make the team. Maybe two Jays catchers felt like overkill?

Regardless, being a Yankee is a blessing and a curse, but these three up-and-coming players could certainly reap the rewards at this year's All-Star break if they continue on their upward trajectories.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera. It probably won't happen for the kids in Year 1/Year 1.5, but ... can't rule it out.

3 New York Yankees players who could be first-time All-Stars in 2023

Michael King, RP

King would've already had this career highlight box checked last year, if there were any justice. His injury didn't come until directly after the All-Star break, though he was reportedly feeling pain in the elbow beforehand. That made him eligible -- in theory -- for the contest, and many agreed he'd have a chance at the honor, even though being a swingman/non-closer reliever can often leave a pitcher cold in these kinds of competitions.

That said ... 1.8 reliever bWAR, 66 whiffs in 51 innings, a 1.000 WHIP on the dot, and a 2.29 ERA? Dragged down a bit by some tough outings during the period where the injury was hidden? King was probably next on the list for replacement pitchers, or close to it.

Entering 2023, King says he's "100 percent" and has been throwing off a mound for six weeks, following his somewhat miraculous avoidance of Tommy John surgery. If he's able to repeat his powerhouse performance this season, he'll be right on the cusp of an All-Star selection.

Maybe ask him if he'd like the closer role?

Harrison Bader, CF

There's no way -- absolutely no way, no chance whatsoever, zero percent, definitely not saying this and hoping the opposite happens -- that Harrison Bader will be able to replicate his torrid October next season for his hometown Yankees.

While the rest of the offense sputtered, Bader -- in just his second month in the Bronx -- hit the first home run of the postseason, drilled five across two rounds, and smoked two against Houston while hitting .400. He might be the sole Yankee who doesn't want to forget about the things he uncovered during that series.

Bader has always been a Gold Glove center fielder, someone Matt Carpenter called the best he'd ever played with when the Yankees acquired him last summer. He's been an above-average hitter in past years, too, posting a 114 OPS+ in 2021 before having a tough, foot injury-marred first half last year in St. Louis that led to the swap.

That said, even if he hits like a roughly average ballplayer, he does it with panache. He certainly has the gilded glove. That'll all play in New York. Add in the "childhood Yankee fan, Bronxville native" card, and you could be hearing about Bader a lot on national broadcasts next year -- especially if Derek Jeter happens to be in the booth.

Of course, if he hits closer to that 114 OPS+ mark, he won't even need the boost or the local voters. He might just make it in anyway.