5 Possible First-Time MLB All-Stars

5 Possible First-Time MLB All-Stars

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by | Mar 19, 2025 | Featured, MLB

The emergence of new talent in Major League Baseball is always a thrilling aspect of the season, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year where several players could make their All-Star debut. Below is an analysis of five players—Mark Vientos, Connor Wong, Grayson Rodriguez, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Lawrence Butler—who have the potential to break through and earn their first-ever All-Star selections based on their skill sets, performance trends, and respective team contexts.

1. Mark Vientos (National League – 3B, New York Mets)

Mark Vientos is an intriguing power hitter for the Mets, and his offensive profile shows he’s already capable of producing at an all-star level. His 27 home runs and .516 slugging percentage in just 111 games are signs of his raw power, which gives him a significant advantage in a corner infield position like third base.

Last season, he batted .266, which, combined with his ability to hit for power at the major league level, makes him an interesting candidate for All-Star consideration. In 2024, he improved his pitch recognition and consistency in his second full season, especially with a solid .322 OBP.

Path to All-Star:

For Vientos to become an All-Star in 2025, he’ll need to improve his contact rate and raise his batting average closer to .270-.280 while maintaining his power. If he can increase his overall production and the Mets are competitive, particularly in a division like the NL East, Vientos’ potential as a power bat could secure him a spot in the All-Star Game.

2. Connor Wong (American League – C, Boston Red Sox)

Connor Wong had a strong offensive year in 2024, showing promise as both a catcher and a contributor in the Red Sox lineup. His 13 home runs and .425 slugging percentage were solid for a catcher, while his .333 OBP demonstrated his ability to get on base and contribute to the team’s offense. Wong’s batting average of .280 also gives him a decent foundation to be more of a complete hitter, which is vital for a catcher in the modern game.

His defense, which is often underrated, is also an asset, with Wong showing above average skills behind the plate. While his numbers don’t place him among the elite catchers yet, his offensive improvements and continued solid defense make him a candidate to break out in 2025.

Path to All-Star:

To make it to the All-Star Game, Wong must continue his offensive growth, particularly in terms of power. If he can push his home run total to 20-25 and maintain his strong on-base skills while improving his defense, he could be the standout catcher in the AL, especially if the Red Sox are competitive in the AL East.

3. Michael King (National League – SP, San Diego Padres)

Michael King, a right-handed starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres, had a breakout 2024 season and is primed for his first All-Star appearance in 2025. With his electric stuff, durability, and strong stats, King has the potential to emerge as one of the top pitchers in the National League.

King’s 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173.2 innings highlight his ability to generate swings and misses with his fastball and slider. His WHIP of 1.19 and FIP of 3.33 demonstrate his ability to limit base runners. Major strengths are his 47.6% ground ball rate and durability (30 starts).

Path to All-Star:
To make the All-Star Game, King must build on his 2024 performance and aim to keep his strikeout rate at or above 9.5 K/9 and target 200+ strikeouts again in 2025. Reducing walks and lowering his walk rate to 2.5 BB/9 would help his command and lower his WHIP. A target ERA under 3.00 would increase his All-Star candidacy, leveraging his ability to avoid home runs and induce weak contact. King must continue his durability, aiming for 30+ starts and 180+ innings. The Padres need to contend for a playoff spot in 2025, which would enhance King’s chances due to national exposure.

Michael King has all the tools to make his first All-Star appearance in 2025. By refining his command, maintaining strikeouts, staying healthy, and playing for a competitive Padres team, King can become one of the top pitchers in the National League and break out with a strong 2025 season.

4. Vinnie Pasquantino (American League – 1B, Kansas City Royals)

Vinnie Pasquantino had a breakout 2024 campaign, proving he can be a power-hitting force in the Royals’ lineup. His 19 home runs, 97 RBI in just 131 games,  and a .504 slugging percentage make him one of the most potent first basemen in the AL. He also posted a solid .355 OBP, highlighting his excellent plate discipline and ability to get on base. His ability to control the strike zone and generate power is a strong foundation for his potential All-Star candidacy.

Pasquantino’s 97 RBIs also suggest that he’s a run producer, which is always crucial in securing an All-Star selection. In a lineup like the Royals, where talent can be top-heavy, Pasquantino stands out as a reliable power source.

Path to All-Star:

To secure an All-Star spot, Pasquantino will need to maintain or improve his power numbers (25+ home runs) and on-base percentage while continuing to drive in runs. If the Royals can compete at a higher level in 2025, Pasquantino’s contributions will be hard to overlook, positioning him for his first All-Star selection.

5. Lawrence Butler (American League – OF, Oakland Athletics)

In only 125 games at 24, Lawrence Butler had a solid 2024 season with the Oakland Athletics, showing good power potential in his first full major league season. With 22 home runs and a .480 slugging percentage, Butler demonstrated that he has the ability to drive the ball out of the park. His .262 batting average and .317 OBP suggest that he’s still refining his overall approach at the plate. Still, he has the tools to be a well-rounded contributor, particularly with his athleticism and defensive potential in the outfield.

Butler’s ability to play all over the outfield and add speed to his game (as evidenced by his 10 stolen bases) gives him added value as a dynamic player who can impact the game in multiple ways.

Path to All-Star:

For Butler to make his first All-Star Game, he will need to increase his consistency at the plate and continue to show growth in both power and on-base skills. If he can boost his power numbers (potentially to 25+ homers) while maintaining his speed, he could become one of the more exciting players in the AL, especially if the Athletics can exceed expectations in 2025.

Conclusion:

Each of these players—Mark Vientos, Connor Wong, Michael King, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Lawrence Butler—has shown significant potential in 2024. Each player has a unique set of strengths and potential to make an impact in their respective leagues. Their growth in key areas like power, on-base skills, and overall contributions to their teams give them a legitimate shot at making their respective All-Star teams in 2025. To secure first-time All-Star selections, these players must maintain strong performance while their teams remain competitive within their respective leagues.If they can put together strong seasons in terms of both individual performance and team success, all five have a viable chance of being first-time All-Stars.

Mar 19, 2025 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Grind Out Their 5th Win In A Row Tonight Against The Atlanta Dream (68-55)

Minnesota Lynx Grind Out Their 5th Win In A Row Tonight Against The Atlanta Dream (68-55)

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by | Jun 19, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, MLB, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game with 4 wins in a row and have been playing some lights-out basketball. Tonight they would be facing an Atlanta Dream team that has been a little rocky all season long so far. Both teams need the win and the Lynx want to stack up some wins leading into their big Commissioners Cup Final against the New York Liberty.

This was one of those games that truly grind it out as both teams struggled to make shots in the game. Napheesa Colier has been struggling from the field with her offense but she put on a show defensively tonight against Tina Charles letting it be known that she can dominate on both sides of the floor without an issue. Napheesa finished with a game-high 16 points with 4 assists, and 8 rebounds.

This Lynx team has shown a lot of change and it’s been very good because last season this team was depending on Collier but with the depth this season it helps her out big time. When we talk about that depth Bridget Carleton had 14 points and was able to get in the paint and help with 8 rebounds as well. This Lynx team was doing a number on the Atlanta Dream tonight as they held them to only 28% from the field shooting.

That’s the type of defense and next-man-up mentality it will take for this Lynx team to take the next step. The tale of the story in this one was the bench play from the Minnesota Lynx as Dorka Juhasz was able to get a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 11 rebounds tonight. Dorka has been the ultimate pro all season long coming off the bench knowing that last year she was able to get extended minutes.

The Lynx outscored the Dream in bench points (19-6) and if they can continue to get that production they will be a tough out. The Atlanta Dream didn’t have much to be happy about with their missed shots but Tina Charles came to play as she was able to get a double-double as well with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Naphessa Collier took the challenge of guarding Charles and didn’t disappoint at all. Both battled all night in the paint but it was the Lynx that were able to get the last word on this one as they played amazing down the stretch.

The Atlanta Dream lost Rhyne Howard to an injury hopefully it’s nothing too serious to have her sidelined.

 

 

 

The Minnesota Lynx will be playing the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday for Pride Day as they look to slow down Brittney Griner and the rest of the amazing team.

Jun 19, 2024 No Comments
The Correa Carrousel Continues: Star Switches Again, Sign with Twins

The Correa Carrousel Continues: Star Switches Again, Sign with Twins

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by | Jan 10, 2023 | Featured, MLB

Two time All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins are finalizing a six-year, $200 million contract, pending a physical, after weeks of discussion to finalize a deal with the New York Mets broke down, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.

This free agency has been an absolute whirlwind for Correa. He originally agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 13th. The Giants raised concerns about Correa’s surgically repaired right leg, which caused him to reconsider his decision.  He pivoted quickly and signed a 12-year, $315 million contract with the Mets. The Mets had similar concerns and flagged his physical as well. Any efforts to amend the deal fell apart. This lead to Correa reopening talks with other teams and now he is returning to Minnesota, where he signed after a wild offseason last year as well.

The deal includes a vesting option that can add another four years to the deal, making it a 10-year deal. the contract will become official if Correa passes a medical review, which is expected to begin Tuesday and continue through Wednesday, according to sources. The focus will continue to be on his lower right leg, which he broke in 2014 during a minor league game. Correa has not spent time on the injured list for a right-leg ailment in his whole entire big league career, but the Giants and the Mets medical staff had concerns about how the leg would age, thus never finalizing a contract with the star shortstop, who will remain a Minnesota Twin and help them fight for a American League Central title.

Jan 10, 2023 No Comments
Carlos Correa Shocks MLB by Changing Mind to Sign with the Mets

Carlos Correa Shocks MLB by Changing Mind to Sign with the Mets

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by | Dec 21, 2022 | Featured, MLB

Willie Mays. Barry Bonds. Buster Posey. And after agreeing to terms last week with the San Francisco Giants on a historic 13-year, $350 million contract, Carlos Correa. The former Astro and Twin was set to join these superstars as all-time Giants when his career is finished if he continued to play at his elite caliber. This would have been the longest deal for an infielder in free agent history.

However, six days later, Correa will no longer be wearing orange and black in the Bay Area, but will be sporting orange and blue in Queens as he shocked the baseball community by signing a 12-year, $315 contract with the New York Mets late Tuesday evening.

Correa and the Giants had a new conference planned yesterday to announce the deal during the day Tuesday, but it was postponed due to an undisclosed medical concerned that arose during his physical. Even though there was the slight issue, people throughout the industry still believed the deal would be finalized and Correa would be playing for the Giants in 2023 and years to come.

The Mets were aggressively pursing Correa most of free agency before he decided to head to San Francisco. If his deal is finalized, since it is pending the completion of a physical, Correa will join his good friend and fellow Puerto Rican, Francisco Lindor in the infield. Lindor signed a 10-year. $341 million extension in April 2021. He will remain at shortstop and Correa will move to third base.

The main person to thank for this deal is Mets’ owner Steve Cohen. He has committed more than $800 million to free agents this offseason, such as Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Diaz, Justin Verlander, and others. As of now, the Mets competitive balance payroll is in the neighborhood of $380 million, which is way over the fourth and final threshold of the luxury tax, meaning the Mets’ tax bill will be around $100 million next year.

Correa is a two-time All-Star, one-time Gold Glove Award winner and won a World Series in 2017 with the Houston Astros. He has battled injuries to his thumb, back and ribs from 2017 to 2019. During this three-year stretch, he only averaged 98 games per season, but was still dominant when he was on the field.

Correa was a free agent last offseason and could not find a suitor for a long-term deal. After he was unable to do so, he made big waves in baseball by signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins, which included multiple opt-outs, including the one that he exercised to become a 2022 free agent.

Now Correa will join the New York Mets, who are pursuing a championship once again after losing in the first round of the Wild Card in 2021. The Mets won 101 games last year and the Correa signing definitely makes them one of the favorites to win, not just he National League pennant but, the World Series.

Dec 21, 2022 No Comments
Aaron Judge Signs $360 Million deal with Yankees

Aaron Judge Signs $360 Million deal with Yankees

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by | Dec 7, 2022 | Featured, MLB

The biggest question of baseball’s offseason has been answered. The reigning American League MVP and face of baseball, Aaron Judge, will remain in pinstripes after signing a massive nine-year, $360 million contract. MLB Network first reported that Judge would re-sign with the New York Yankees, while The Athletic first reported the terms of the agreement.

After turning down a shorter extension offer for only $213.5 million prior to the 2022 season, Judge recorded one of the best seasons in baseball history as he headed into free agency. He broke Roger Maris’ American League-record for home runs by bashing 62, leading baseball. Judge’s 121 RBIs led the American League as well while hitting .311/.425/.686. Turning down that extension is arguably going to be one of the best contract decisions in baseball history. A lot of people speculated Judge’s decision to decline the extension and test free agency, but it ended up working out in his favor as his MVP season has made him one of the most lucrative baseball players of all time, only behind Mike Trout and Mookie Betts for largest deal in terms of total dollars.

This is going to keep the irritable Yankees’ fan base, who have been chasing their first World Series ring 2009, content for the time being as Judge is a fan favorite. The team’s owner Hal Steinbrenner said that his goal was to make Aaron Judge a Yankee for life. Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman said the team’s priority in free agency was keeping Judge. The front office got it done for the Yanks.

“We’d love to have our player back,” Cashman said Monday. “We would love to continue to call him our player every step of the way as he follows what looks like — as long as nothing happens — a career path that will lead him to Cooperstown. I would like him to be in pinstripes every step of the way.”

Judge was deciding between staying with the New York Yankees or going the San Diego Padres or San Francisco Giants on the West coast.The 30-year-old outfielder, who was born in Linden, California, attended Linden High School and later Fresno State before being drafted by the Yankees with the 32nd overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft. His connection to California prolonged his decision and made it more difficult for him.  In the end, Judge decided to stay in the Bronx and continue pursuing a championship with the Yankees through the 2031 season.

 

Dec 7, 2022 No Comments
2021 MLB Awards Predictions

2021 MLB Awards Predictions

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by | Apr 12, 2021 | Featured, MLB

As we are about a week and a half into the 2021 MLB season, recapping the offseason.

The National League had a lot of movement this offseason. Nolan Arenado getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals makes them strong contenders to win the division. The San Diego Padres continued their development by trading for two ace-quality pitchers, Blake Snell and  Yu Darvish. the New York Mets finally got a superstar after they traded for Francisco Lindor and extended him to a 10-year, $341 million contract, and acquiring  a solid starting pitcher in Carlos Carrasco as well. The Mets hope to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. We cannot forget about the reigning National League Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer joined Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2020 World Series champion.

In the American League, the Houston Astros lost their long-time outfielder George Springer after he signed a five-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto added shortstop Marcus Semien on a one-year deal The White Sox continued to bolster their pitching by trading for starter Lance Lynn and signing closer Liam Hendriks.

The league has been shaken up and this could have an effect on who wins the awards. Here are the predictions for the big awards in each league for the 2021 MLB Season.

Mookie Betts will join the great Frank Robinson as the only player to win the MVP in both leagues. Betts will lead the Dodgers to their ninth consecutive NL West Division title and win both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove.

He is going to hit 30+ home runs and steal 30+ bases while contending for a batting title. He is a five-tool player and will put up very impressive numbers for Los Angeles. The reigning World Series champions are looking to repeat as champions and that is only going to happen if Betts performs like the MVP he is.

Mike Trout will win his fourth AL MVP. This year will be different though because the Angels will make the playoffs as a Wild Card team. This could be the year they finally put everything together and are able to be successful and win more games than usual.

Trout could lead the league in home runs and OPS easily. He is an on-base machine and will do much better with a full season of having another All-Star, Anthony Rendon, in the lineup. Trout’s numbers are going to be mind-boggling, and he will continue to add hardware to his collection.

Jacob deGrom might be the safest pick for this award, since he won in 2018 and 2019, finishing third in 2020. deGrom is the best pitcher in baseball and will have an ERA right around 2.00 this season while tossing 200+ innings and striking out over 200 batters.

His velocity is continuing to rise, and his team has continued to build and bring in more talent around him. He will bring home his third Cy Young in the last four seasons and continue his pursuit to Cooperstown.

The Chicago White Sox’s ace Lucas Giolito will win his first Cy Young this season. Giolito will be close to the lead for the most wins by a pitcher in the American League. He is beyond dominant and is capable of carrying a team and being able to go all the way and throw complete games, which is something fairly rare these days.

Giolito, 26,  will strike out 200 batters at minimum without an issue, but he is looking to make 2021 his first 200-inning MLB season. He will help the White Sox win the 2021 AL Central Division. There are other strong candidates throughout the AL, but Giolito is going to put it all together this season and become one of the better pitchers in baseball.

Apr 12, 2021 No Comments