Predicting which Yankees will make the 2024 MLB All-Star Game roster

The New York Yankees typically dominante MLB All-Star fan voting, but in order for a jury of their peers (and coaches) to fill out the reserves with Yanks, they've really got to dominate on the field.

It's, uh ... been a while since they really dominated on the field.

In 2022, seemingly every fringe Yankee made it to Los Angeles, from Nestor Cortes Jr. to Jose Trevino ... and still we managed to fend off some snubs, with Michael King taking a short vacation instead (and coming down with an elbow issue shortly thereafter). This year, we appeared to have a similarly crowded field entering June, but to say things have died down a bit is an understatement.

Now, suddenly, fans are left wondering if the Yankees are going to see a single under-the-radar All-Star get the nod.

Predicting Which 2024 New York Yankees Will Make MLB All-Star Game Roster

What once felt like an absurd seven or eight now feels like a solid three, with the potential for a fourth as an injury replacement. If things break wrong, the total could certainly sit as low as two. Two! Maybe that's just what the top-heavy 2024 Yankees are. The kind of team that ends up in the playoff picture because of an excellent May, but when the dust settles, no one is really sure how they got there.

The deadline will determine that. Unfortunately, the deadline comes after the All-Star Game.

LOCKS (2): Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, OF

Judge is already entrenched in the AL's starting lineup as the league's leading vote-getter; he'll bring his Ruthian feats of strength to the big stage, though he will not be participating in the Home Run Derby (smart).

Juan Soto is going to join Judge, but the final round of voting is about to determine whether he'll do so by his side or in the dugout, waiting for an opportunity. Fan voting ends at 12 PM EST/9 AM PST on Wednesday. July 3, and Soto, 1% ahead of Steven Kwan of the Guardians and 3% clear of Anthony Santander of the Orioles, is probably going to see this thing go down to the wire before a resolution. All he needs to do is stay ahead of Santander, and he'll be in the lineup.

LIKELY (1): Luis Gil, RHP

But, in a sentiment that might end up summing up the Yankees as a whole, this would be an instance of Gil being rewarded for April and May. Sadly, if he is honored, the Yankees will probably request that he does not participate. Hopefully, his throw day aligns with the All-Star festivities so he can get an inning in. Otherwise, there's no reason to add another meaningless inning to his already tired arm in an exhibition game.

It would be great to see Gil rewarded for a mostly stunning first half, but most Yankee fans would prefer he just dominate in the second half and leave the All-Star Game in the rearview, if forced to choose between the two.

POSSIBLE INJURY REPLACEMENT? (1): Clay Holmes, RHP

Holmes seemed like the lockiest lock of all locks while carrying a 0.00 ERA for far longer than anyone thought possible. Now, with a 2.65 mark and 34 Ks in 34 innings? He's been very good! But it's a crowded field. He's likely to be snubbed, but might slide in for someone else after a second look.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN (2): Anthony Volpe, SS; Marcus Stroman, RHP

Once upon a time, this segment probably also included Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodón, who've fallen off the radar entirely (lat injury, terrifying reversion to 2023).

Now, it's Volpe, who felt like a third shortstop candidate behind Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. in May. Instead, after June, the Volpe conversation is now centered around whether he should still be leading off, and whether his month of April/early May rebound was flukier than first thought. Stroman? He's been the Yankees' most consistent starter this season, against all odds, but again, that AL All-Star pitching staff is so crowded, and names like Garrett Crochet (White Sox) and Tyler Anderson (Angels) probably have to be chosen so underrepresented teams can see their names called. Stroman deserves love, but he probably won't find it here.