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?

Jonathan Loaisiga, RP

And, speaking of, the Yankees' "closer of the future" Jonathan Loaisiga could easily get to the All-Star mountaintop, too ... especially if he takes the ninth-inning reins and grabs hold, as most predicted he would following the 2021 season.

Reliever volatlity hit Loaisiga hard last year, with a bit of the injury bug mixed in. He had some shoulder stiffness to work out, and seemingly didn't shake off ... well, something until August, September and the playoffs.

Loaisiga never replicated his 2021 numbers -- 199 ERA+, 2.17 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 1.019 WHIP -- but posted a 1.86 ERA in August and a 1.72 mark in Sept./Oct. in the regular season. The Nicaraguan Nightmare was arguably on the ascent to the closer's role in 2021, and was another snubbed setup man for that year's All-Star festivities in Colorado. If he can iron out whatever was limiting him throughout last season and creating more traffic on the bases, he could be the favorite to bump Clay Holmes back to setup man status.

That'd make him a likely All-Star, considering every time the Yankees have a stud closer, that guy seems to garner some midseason accolades.