2018 National League All-Star team

Christian Yelich hit like Barry Bonds with an enlarged cranium during the last month of the season: .370/.508/.804 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in 26 games. Jacob deGrom pitched like Bob Gibson on higher ground for much of the season, beating the National League’s average ERA by 2.33 runs. I’m taking Yelich over deGrom as the league’s best player, but it’s close, and it’s not a referendum on position players vs. pitchers relative to MVP awards.
— Kevin Brewer

Babe Ruth Award | Christian Yelich, Brewers. 36 HRs, 110 RBIs, .326/.402/.598, 118 runs.

2. Jacob deGrom, Mets
3. Max Scherzer, Nationals

Walter Johnson Award | Jacob deGrom, Mets. 10-9, 1.70 ERA, 269 Ks, 46 BBs, 217 IPs.

Pee Wee Reese Award (or Teammate of the Year) | Lorenzo Cain, Brewers. 10 HRs, 38 RBIs, .308/.395/.417, 30 SBs.

Connie Mack Award | Brian Snitker, Atlanta. 90-72

2. Craig Counsell, Brewers
3. Bud Black, Rockies

Jackie Robinson Award | Ronald Acuna, Atlanta. 26 HRs, 64 RBIs, .293/.366/.552

2. Juan Soto, Nationals
3. Walker Buehler, Dodgers



The Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies lead the All-Star team with three players each. Yelich and Lorenzo Cain were Milwaukee’s two big offseason acquisitions and Jeremy Jeffress, while not a closer, was the league’s best reliever. The Rockies added the left side of their infield and starting pitcher Kyle Freeland.

Catcher | J.T. Realmuto, Marlins

First base | Freddie Freeman, Atlanta

2. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Second base | Scooter Gennett, Reds

The name reminds me of Rennie Stennett, another second baseman, who played for the Pirates in the 1970s. Gennett is better.

Third base | Nolan Arenado, Rockies

Shortstop | Trevor Story, Rockies

Utilityman | Javier Baez, Cubs

2. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals

Left field | David Peralta, Diamondbacks

Center field | Lorenzo Cain, Brewers

Outfield | Christian Yelich, Brewers

Starting pitchers | Jacob deGrom, Mets

Max Scherzer, Nationals
Aaron Nola, Phillies
Kyle Freeland, Rockies
Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks

Reliever | Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers



Best offensive player | Christian Yelich, Brewers

Best defensive player | Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks

2. DJ LeMahieu, Rockies
3. Ender Inciarte, Atlanta

Best baserunner | Trea Turner, Nationals

Best five-tool player | Javier Baez, Cubs

2. Trevor Story, Rockies



Workhouse | Max Scherzer, Nationals

2. Jacob deGrom, Mets

Workhorse (reliever) | Seth Lugo, Mets

Best strikeout pitcher | Josh Hader, Brewers

2. Max Scherzer, Nationals
3. Jacob deGrom, Mets

Best control pitcher | Miles Mikolas, Cardinals

2. Jacob deGrom, Mets
3. Robbie Erlin, Padres

2018 American League 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