The list of reserves is highlighted by an All-Star legacy selection made by Commissioner Rob Manfred. Clayton Kershaw is this year’s “Legend Pick,” which points more to his career recognition—and a certain milestone—rather than Kershaw’s performance this season.
The 37-year-old began the year on the injured list and has made just nine starts. His last start saw him join the elusive 3,000-strikeout club, becoming just the fourth-ever southpaw to reach 3,000 Ks. This will be Kershaw’s 11th All-Star Game appearance as he’s the only player in the game who has reached double-digit selections.
Outside of him, other All-Star regulars who will make the trip to Atlanta for this year’s game include Chris Sale (nine selections), Aroldis Chapman (eight), Josh Hader (six), Jacob deGrom (five) and Pete Alonso (five). No other reserve or pitcher selected has more than three All-Star Game nods, including this year, as it’s clear that there is a youth movement in the game.
Fifteen of the 47 reserves are first-time All-Stars, joining four starters who will also take part in the game for the first time. One of those first-time reserves is Nationals outfielder James Wood who, at 22 years old, is the youngest player selected for the game. Wood has emerged as a sleeper MVP candidate who ranks third in the NL in wins above replacement, fifth in home runs, and has provided Gold Glove-caliber defense.
Nearly a decade older are another pair of first-timers: Matthew Boyd of the Cubs and Jason Adam of the Pirates. Both are 31 years old and in their 11th MLB seasons, making the honor of being called an All-Star that much more special.
Several players are returning to the Midsummer Classic after lengthy absences, including Robbie Ray of San Francisco and Eugenio Suarez of Arizona. This will be Ray’s second appearance but first since 2017, while Suarez is also making his second trip and his first since 2018. The two were teammates with the Detroit Tigers in 2014, again teammates with the Seattle Mariners in 2022–23, and now they’ll be teaming up once again as part of the NL All-Star team.
Alex Bregman, who was the 2018 All-Star Game MVP, is one of two past All-Star MVPs to make this year’s game. Vlad Guerrero Jr., who won the award in 2021, was previously named a starter for the American League.
Speaking of Bregman, he’s one of several players currently on the injured list who was named as a reserve. Others include Sale and Jeremy Pena, and if any are unable to play, then the Commissioner’s Office will select replacements. Last year’s initial roster saw eight players who were injured come the game get replaced, while pitchers who start on the Sunday preceding the game will also get replaced. Additionally, selected players can elect to not participate in the All-Star Game, which could also force the commissioner to replace them as well.
The hometown Braves will be well represented at Truist Park as Atlanta received three total nods—starter Ronald Acuna Jr., plus reserves in Sale and Matt Olson. Just three teams will have more players for the game as the Dodgers have five total, while the Mariners and Tigers each have four players.
With the rule that all 30 MLB teams must be represented at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, that means several cellar-dwelling squads still received player nods, perhaps over some more deserving players. The Colorado Rockies (20–69, .225 W–L percent), who are on pace to have the worst win-loss percentage by any MLB team since 1897, will be represented by first-time All-Star Hunter Goodman. The catcher is having a solid season with a .281 average and 16 home runs, but he also ranks just sixth in the NL in wins above replacement amongst catchers.
Nonetheless, the 2025 MLB All-Star Game will have no shortage of big names and star players. The likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Elly De La Cruz, Fernando Tatis Jr., Paul Skenes, and Tarik Skubal will all be in Atlanta next week. However, there are also some big names, who are normally regulars at this event, who didn’t get a nod. Whether due to missed time or a decline in production, players such as Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer are not among the initial rosters.
The American League leads the series with a 48–44–2 record, and the series has become lopsided in favor of the AL over the last 37 years. During this stretch, the AL has dominated with a 28–7–1 record, with the tie taking place in 2002 and no game held due to the pandemic in 2020. The AL also won last year, 5–3, in a game at Globe Life Field in Texas.
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday, July 15, from Truist Park in Atlanta. Philadelphia has already been set as the city to then host the 2026 Midsummer Classic.
