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

2020 NL All-Star team

The San Diego Padres, who posted the highest winning percentage in team history, placed four players on my National League All-Star team: infielders Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth and starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet.

The Padres (37-23, .617) made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years in the coronavirus-shortened season and won their first playoff series since 1998.

Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman was the league’s top player, hitting .341/.462/.640 with 13 home runs, 53 RBIs and a NL-best 51 runs.

Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish (8-3, 2.01) was the top pitcher, with 93 strikeouts, 14 walks and 11 different pitches.

Cronenworth should win the Rookie of the Year award.
— Kevin Brewer

Manny Machado

position | third base  bats | right  throws | right

2025 age >> 31
2025 salary >> $13 million
2026 salary >> $21 million
2027-33 salary >> $35 million
Contract status >> Signed through 2033

Player most similar to >> Nolan Arenado
Career statistics >> Baseball-Reference.com
Career year [2022] 32 HRs, 102 RBIs, .298/.366/.531, 100 runs

Teams >> Orioles (2012-18), Dodgers (2018), Padres (2019-present)
Acquired >> Signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres on Feb. 21, 2019. Signed an 11-year, $350 million extension on Feb. 26, 2023.

Resume
>> 7-time All-Star (2013, 15-16, 18, 21-22, 25)
>> All-MLB first team (2020, 2022)
>> All-MLB second team (2024)
>> Top 10 in MVP voting (2013, 15-16, 20, 22)
>> Two Gold Glove awards (2013, 15)
>> Fielding Bible award (2013)

League leader
>> Doubles (2013)

The Manny Machado Library
>> ‘It’s my prime, baby’ | Jeff Passan, ESPN.com (Sept. 2, 2022)