Finding All-Stars To Represent MLB’s Six Last-Place Teams

The rules for the MLB All-Star Game roster selections have changed many times since the first Midsummer Classic in 1933, but one of the longest-standing requirements is that every team needs to be represented by at least one player.

For the best teams, that’s no problem, but for the worst, it can be hard to find someone deserving. Here’s a look at the candidates to represent each of the last-place teams in MLB’s six divisions.

American League

The Baltimore Orioles weren’t supposed to be the subject of an article like this. They made the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, and their unexpected collapse led to manager Brandon Hyde getting fired in May. They still have plenty of All-Star worthy talent though, with second baseman Jackson Holliday and designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn named as finalists at their positions. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson has a strong case as well with a .275/.347/.436 batting line and a 124 OPS+, indicating his offense has been 24% better than the league average.

Finding a representative for the Chicago White Sox is going to be trickier. They’re better than last year’s club that lost a modern record 121 games, but still have the worst record in the American League by far with a 28-56 mark. Their best player has been Adrian Houser, who has a 1.90 ERA through seven starts since signing with Chicago when he was released in from the Texas Rangers’ minor league system in May. Other candidates include outfielder Mike Tauchman, who has a 138 OPS+ but has played just 32 games, or rookie shortstop Chase Meidroth, who has a healthy .352 on-base percentage but only a .315 slugging percentage.

The Athletics will most likely finish in the American League West basement for the third time in four years. They’ll be represented by rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson, a finalist in the voting, whose .338 batting average is the second-highest in MLB. Designated hitter Brent Rooker has a chance to join him based on his .271/.347/.485 batting line and 17 home runs.

National League

The Washington Nationals are bringing up the rear in the National League East, as they have in five of the last six seasons since their World Series championship in 2019. Their All-Star is an easy choice; 22-year-old left fielder James Wood has been one of baseball’s best hitters with a .283/.386/.552 batting line and 165 OPS+. He also boasts 22 home runs and 11 stolen bases. He could be joined by shortstop CJ Abrams, who is hitting .287/.355/.497 with a 141 OPS+.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are another last-place club with an obvious All-Star. Paul Skenes was named the National League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game as a rookie last year, and he could receive that honor again this season. He leads the National League in ERA (2.12), WHIP (0.91), hits per nine innings (5.7), and pitching WAR (4.1, Baseball-Reference version).

It’s fitting that the Colorado Rockies are listed last here—at 19-65, they’re threatening the 2024 White Sox’s record for losses in a season. Their leader in WAR is reliever Jake Bird, who has a 2.68 ERA over 36 games and 47 innings pitched, but their most likely All-Star is catcher Hunter Goodman. He’s hitting .287/.332/.512 with 14 home runs, and there isn’t a lot of competition at the position this year beyond Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers.