2022 NL All-Star team

Manny Machado, who led the league in fWAR and led the Padres to their first (full season) playoff appearance in 16 seasons, is my pick as National League Player of the Year.

Machado hit .298/.366/.531 with 30 home runs, 102 RBIs and 100 runs. He emerged as a leader, too.

Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman were also worthy candidates.

Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara was the league’s best pitcher, and Atlanta featured the league’s top rookies: center fielder Michael Harris and pitcher Spencer Strider.

The Mets lead the All-Star team with five players, plus manager Buck Showalter. The Cardinals and Phillies placed two players each. The Dodgers, with a team-record 111 wins, added Mookie Betts.

Albert Pujols hit his 700th career home run and bookended his career with home runs in his first at-bat at Busch Stadium and his final at-bat at Busch. Pujols, who hit .323/.388/.715 with 18 home runs in the second half of the season, might be the best first basemen of all time.
— Kevin Brewer



TEAMS

Best record >> Los Angeles Dodgers, 111-51

Worst record >> Washington Nationals, 55-107

Home team >> Los Angeles Dodgers, 57-24

Road team >> Los Angeles Dodgers, 54-27

Best offense >> Los Angeles Dodgers

Best baserunning >> Arizona Diamondbacks

Best pitching >> Los Angeles Dodgers

Best fielding >> St. Louis Cardinals



ALL-STAR TEAM

Catcher >> J.T. Realmuto, Phillies

First base >> Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

Second base >> Jeff McNeil, Mets

Third base >> Manny Machado, Padres

Shortstop >> Francisco Lindor, Mets

Left field >> Ian Happ, Cubs

Center field >> Brandon Nimmo, Mets

Right field >> Mookie Betts, Dodgers

Designated hitter >> Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Starting pitchers >> Sandy Alcantara, Marlins

>> Aaron Nola, Phillies
>> Carlos Rodon, Giants
>> Max Fried, Atlanta
>> Max Scherzer, Mets

Reliever >> Edwin Diaz, Mets

Manager >> Buck Showalter, Mets

Toughest omission >> Freddie Freeman, Dodgers



AWARDS

Player of the Year >> Manny Machado, Padres

Rookie of the Year >> Michael Harris, Atlanta

Best teammate >> Freddie Freeman, Dodgers

Best hitter >> Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

Best baserunner >> Tommy Edman, Cardinals

Best fielders >> Ke’Bryan Hayes, Brendan Rodgers

Power / speed >> Trea Turner, Dodgers

Five-tool player >> Mookie Betts, Dodgers



Pitcher of the Year >> Sandy Alcantara, Marlins

Workhouse >> Sandy Alcantara, Marlins

Workhouse (reliever) >> A.J. Minter, Atlanta

Strikeout pitcher >> Carlos Rodon, Giants

Strikeout pitcher (reliever) >> Edwin Diaz, Mets

Control pitcher >> Aaron Nola, Phillies

Control pitcher (reliever) >> Joe Mantiply, Diamondbacks



Retired >> Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, Cardinals

Goodbye >> Vin Scully

Highest-paid player >> Max Scherzer, $43.3 million

700 home runs >> Albert Pujols, Cardinals

No-hitter >> Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodríguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz, Mets