2018 AL All-Star team

Angels designated hitter-pitcher Shohei Ohtani is a three-star rookie sensation and my pick as the league’s top rookie. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated before he played in the majors — like Bo Jackson and Bryce Harper. He’s a foreign-born player with a unique style of play, maybe the most unique style of play since Babe Ruth, hitting and pitching at an All-Star level. Angels general manager Billy Eppler called Ohtani “the most fascinating player I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

As for the league’s best player, Mookie Betts vs. Mike Trout was a dead heat in every category — hitting, fielding, baserunning. I don’t like to consider team performance when it comes to individual awards, but that’s the tie-breaker here. The Red Sox won 108 games, while Trout’s Angels won 80. Betts is the choice.
— Kevin Brewer

Babe Ruth Award | Mookie Betts, Red Sox. 32 HRs, 80 RBIs, .346/.438/.640, 129 runs, 47 doubles, 30 SBs.

Walter Johnson Award | Blake Snell, Rays. 21-5, 1.89 ERA, 221 Ks, 64 BBs, 180.2 IPs.

Pee Wee Reese Award (or Teammate of the Year) | J.D. Martinez, Red Sox. 43 HRs, 130 RBIs, .330/.402/.629, 111 runs.

Connie Mack Award | Alex Cora, Red Sox. 108-54

2. Bob Melvin, Athletics
3. Aaron Boone, Yankees

Jackie Robinson Award | Shohei Ohtani, Angels. 22 HRs, 61 RBIs, .285/.361/.564 and 4-2, 3.31 ERA, 63 Ks, 22 BBs.

2. Joey Wendle, Rays
3. Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar, Yankees



The Red Sox and Cleveland dominate my American League All-Star team with four players each, while the Athletics add three, including the right side of their infield.

Catcher | Yan Gomes, Cleveland

First base | Matt Olson, Athletics

Second base | Jed Lowrie, Athletics

Third base | Alex Bregman, Astros

2. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland
3. Matt Chapman, Athletics

Shortstop | Francisco Lindor, Cleveland

2. Andrelton Simmons, Angels

Left field | Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox

Center field | Mike Trout, Angels

Right field | Mookie Betts, Red Sox

2. Mitch Haniger, Mariners

Designated hitter | J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

Starting pitchers | 1. Blake Snell, Rays

2. Chris Sale, Red Sox
3. Justin Verlander, Astros
4. Corey Kluber, Cleveland
5. Trevor Bauer, Cleveland

Reliever | Blake Treinen, Athletics

2. Edwin Diaz, Mariners



Best offensive player | Mike Trout, Angels

2. Mookie Betts, Red Sox

Best defensive player | Andrelton Simmons, Angels

2. Francisco Lindor, Cleveland
3. Matt Chapman, Athletics

Best baserunner | Eddie Rosario, Twins

Best five-tool player | Mookie Betts, Red Sox

2. Mike Trout, Angels



Workhouse | Corey Kluber, Cleveland

2. Justin Verlander, Astros

Workhorse (reliever) | Ryan Yarbrough, Rays

Best strikeout pitcher | Chris Sale, Red Sox

2. Gerrit Cole, Astros
3. Justin Verlander, Astros

Best control pitcher | Corey Kluber, Cleveland

2. Justin Verlander, Astros