While technology has brought us all increased familiarity with athletes, baseball has remained somewhat localized. For instance, the casual fan in Philadelphia isn’t likely to be all that familiar with the pitch arsenal of the Mariners’ Hisashi Iwakuma. 

This helps make the All-Star game such a fun event. It also provides an opportunity for players to make an impression on a national level.

Check out the rosters, and then I’ll offer up the three players I expect to find a way to make an impression on a national level.  

 

MLB All-Star Game Rosters

American League

 

Name

Team

*C

Joe Mauer

Twins

*1B

Chris Davis

Orioles

*2B

Robinson Cano

Yankees

*SS

  J.J. Hardy

Orioles

*3B

Miguel Cabrera

Tigers

*OF

Mike Trout

Angels

*OF

Adam Jones

Orioles

*OF

Jose Bautista

Blue Jays

*DH

David Ortiz

Red Sox

^P

Clay Buchholz

Red Sox

P

Brett Cecil

Blue Jays

P

Bartolo Colon

A’s

^P

Jesse Crain

White Sox

P

Matt Moore

Rays

P

Felix Hernandez

Mariners

P

Hisashi Iwakuma

Mariners

P

Justin Masterson

Indians

P

Joe Nathan

Rangers

P

Steve Delabar

Blue Jays

P

Glen Perkins

Twins

P

Mariano Rivera

Yankees

P

Chris Sale

White Sox

P

Max Scherzer

Tigers

P

Justin Verlander

Tigers

C

Jason Castro

Astros

C

Salvador Perez

Royals

1B

Prince Fielder

Tigers

2B

Jason Kipnis

Indians

2B

Dustin Pedroia

Red Sox

2B

Ben Zobrist

Rays

SS

Jhonny Peralta

Tigers

3B

Manny Machado

Orioles

OF

Nelson Cruz

Rangers

OF

Alex Gordon

Royals

OF

Torii Hunter

Tigers

DH

Edwin Encarnacion

Blue Jays

 

National League

 

Name

Team

*C

Yadier Molina

Cardinals

*1B

Joey Votto

Reds

*2B

Brandon Phillips

Reds

*SS

Troy Tulowitzki

Rockies

*3B

David Wright

Mets

*OF

Carlos Beltran

Cardinals

*OF

Carlos Gonzalez

Rockies

*OF

Bryce Harper

Nationals

P

Madison Bumgarner

Giants

P

Aroldis Chapman

Reds

P

Patrick Corbin

Diamondbacks

P

Jose Fernandez

Marlins

P

Jason Grilli

Pirates

P

Matt Harvey

Mets

P

Clayton Kershaw

Dodgers

P

Craig Kimbrel

Braves

P

Cliff Lee

Phillies

P

Jeff Locke

Pirates

P

Adam Wainwright

Cardinals

P

Travis Wood

Cubs

P

Jordan Zimmermann

Nationals

C

Buster Posey

Giants

1B

Paul Goldschmidt

Diamondbacks

1B

Allen Craig

Cardinals

1B

Freddie Freeman

Braves

2B

Matt Carpenter

Cardinals

2B

Marco Scutaro

Giants

SS

Everth Cabrera

Padres

SS

Jean Segura

Brewers

3B

Pedro Alvarez

Pirates

OF

Domonic Brown

Phillies

OF

Michael Cuddyer

Rockies

OF

Carlos Gomez

Brewers

OF

Andrew McCutchen

Pirates

* = Starter

^ = Injured, will not play

Rosters courtesy of MLB.com.

 

 

Max Scherzer, P, Tigers

Max Scherzer has pitched so well this season that he is going to start leaving teammate Justin Verlander in his shadow. 

The 28-year-old has made huge strides in the last two seasons. His increased feel with his curveball and slider have left him nearly unhittable.

As you’ve probably noticed, he has an impressive 13-0 record, and that’s come for good reason. Scherzer has a WHIP of 0.946 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio at 5-to-1. 

He will dominate the best hitters in the National League in the All-Star contest and show everyone why he is putting himself in a great position to win his first Cy Young. 

 

 

Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals

The Bryce Harper hype machine can get a little tiring, but it exists for good reason: the kid makes spectacular plays. 

Harper is still making strides as a player, and he is far from a finished product, but he has the knack for the spectacular. He also plays every play like it is his last. 

I’m convinced that he will have at least one play, either in the field or at the plate, that leaves fans with their jaws hanging. 

 

 

Mariano Rivera, P, Yankees

Mariano Rivera isn’t going to be able to offer up anything fans haven’t seen him do countless times in the past. He’ll throw his unhittable cutter, quickly get outs and head back to the bullpen. 

However, the atmosphere around the 13-time All Star will be different. The MLB’s all-time saves leader is hanging up the cutter at the end of this season. 

This game will turn into a celebration of his career. It doesn’t hurt that it will be played in New York. Sure, it is in the rival’s stadium, but it’s still New York, and it’s still Mariano Rivera. 

The enormity of his amazing career will be on display, and as fans begin the process of viewing him as a former player, his appearance in this game will be the lasting image. 

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