CLEVELAND — We're less than two weeks away from the 94th Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas, and we already know Cleveland will be well-represented.
Guardians third baseman José Ramírez and left fielder Steven Kwan have each been named starters for the American League at their respective positions. The two players advanced to the second phase of fan voting last week, and though Ramírez wound up besting his fellow finalist Jordan Westburg by a sizeable margin, Kwan barely squeaked by Anthony Santander 28%-26% to grab the third spot in the outfield.
This will be the sixth career All-Star appearance for Ramírez and his third start at third base, with the latter distinction last bestowed upon him in 2018. The 31-year-old has once again planted himself in the AL MVP discussion, blasting 23 homers and driving in 76 runs while also scoring 65 times and stealing 15 bases.
Joining Ramírez in the Lone Star State will be first-time All-Star Kwan, who despite missing nearly a month on the injured list will become the first Cleveland outfielder to start a Midsummer Classic since Juan Gonzalez in 2001. Kwan entered Wednesday leading all of baseball with a .362 batting average, along with a .945 OPS and his usual Gold Glove-caliber defense.
The last time a Cleveland player was elected to start an All-Star Game was 2019, when Indians first baseman Carlos Santana was in the lineup at Progressive Field. Andrés Giménez also started for the AL at second base in 2022, but only after an injury to scheduled starter Jose Altuve.
Currently holders of the best record in the AL, the Guards could have more players named to the All-Star team when the pitchers and reserves are revealed this Sunday. Closer Emmanuel Clase, first baseman Josh Naylor, and super utility man David Fry are among the top candidates.
Check out the full starting rosters for the 2024 All-Star Game:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
- Catcher: Adley Rutschman - Baltimore Orioles
- 1st base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays
- 2nd base: Jose Altuve - Houston Astros
- 3rd base: José Ramírez - Cleveland Guardians
- Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
- Outfield: Aaron Judge - New York Yankees; Juan Soto - New York Yankees; Steven Kwan - Cleveland Guardians
- Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez - Houston Astros
NATIONAL LEAGUE
- Catcher: William Contreras - Milwaukee Brewers
- 1st base: Bryce Harper - Philadelphia Phillies
- 2nd base: Ketel Marte - Arizona Diamondbacks
- 3rd base: Alec Bohm - Philadelphia Phillies
- Shortstop: Trea Turner - Philadelphia Phillies
- Outfield: Christian Yelich - Milwaukee Brewers; Jurickson Profar - San Diego Padres; Fernando Tatis Jr. - San Diego Padres
- Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Dodgers