Here is each team's All-Star of the future
Every team has its share of players who haven’t achieved All-Star stature yet, but are clearly headed in that direction.
We asked MLB.com's beat reporters to identify players who fit that mold -- guys with a good chance to be All-Stars in the future, perhaps as soon as 2022.
Their answers varied from unsung stars who aren't receiving much All-Star buzz this year, to players on the cusp of a breakout, to top prospects nearing debuts. Here are their selections, one for each team.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: C Alejandro Kirk
A flexor strain has delayed Kirk’s emergence in 2021, but when the 22-year-old is healthy, he should have a clear path to reps with the Blue Jays. Just how often he’ll be behind the plate remains the biggest variable in 2022, but Kirk is a gifted hitter who could easily put up the offensive numbers worthy of an All-Star appearance. Already a fan favorite in Canada, he’ll have no trouble raking in the votes, either. -- Keegan Matheson
Orioles: OF Austin Hays
There is little debate about Hays’ ability: He is a dynamic fielder who can do a little bit of everything at the plate, with power and speed. His issue has been staying on the field. Dogged by injuries as a prospect, Hays has missed parts of the past two seasons due to rib and hamstring issues, enduring two separate injured list stints this season with hamstring ailments. If he can keep those in check, Hays has the potential to stand out in an already All-Star caliber Orioles outfield, alongside 2021 candidate Cedric Mullins and 2020 All-Star Anthony Santander. -- Joe Trezza
Rays: OF Randy Arozarena
After he emerged as last postseason’s breakout star, a one-man wrecking crew in October, Arozarena has almost flown under the radar this season. But he is no less deserving, whether it’s this year or next. He entered the weekend with 10 home runs and 11 stolen bases, one of only six players in the Majors with double-digit homers and steals. He’s been an excellent defensive player, totaling eight defensive runs saved. And despite some ups and downs at the plate, he still looks and carries himself like a star. There are other Rays who deserve more consideration to be first-time All-Stars, including do-it-all infielder Joey Wendle and power-hitting catcher Mike Zunino, but why wait on Arozarena? -- Adam Berry
Red Sox: OF Jarren Duran
Sometimes, you know the next Red Sox star when you see him. Duran certainly looks like that guy, as he’s been hammering the baseball with regularity for Triple-A Worcester. Though he used to be known more for his speed than his power, Duran is changing his reputation this season. In his first 119 at-bats, he had 11 home runs. Many of them were tape-measure shots. It seems a matter of when and not if the Red Sox will call up Duran this season. And don’t be surprised if he’s an All-Star by 2022. -- Ian Browne
Yankees: RHP Jonathan Loaisiga
Loaisiga has been electric out of the Yankees’ bullpen this season, taking a significant step forward in his strike-throwing ability. Promoted from a swingman role to higher-leverage innings, the 26-year-old has leaned heavily on a sinker/changeup/curveball mix to generate grounders and strikeouts. -- Bryan Hoch
AL CENTRAL
Indians: SS Amed Rosario
While the Indians have a handful of up-and-coming youngsters who have some All-Star potential (like Bobby Bradley), Rosario still may be the favorite to stand out in 2022. He got off to a slower start this season as he originally lost the starting shortstop job and was moved to center field for the first time in his career. While balancing that, he couldn’t quite find his footing offensively. It wasn’t until he became the everyday shortstop and moved to the second spot in Cleveland’s lineup that he became red-hot. The consistency he’s since displayed with his bat proves he has the capability of posting attention-grabbing numbers that could land him in next year’s All-Star game. -- Mandy Bell
Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesi
The key here, of course, is that Mondesi stays healthy. When he’s on the field, Mondesi is what his manager, Mike Matheny, calls an “unbelievable talent.” In Mondesi’s first game back from his second injured list stint last week, he hammered a fastball 445 feet to left-center field at Kauffman Stadium. A couple innings later, he fielded a short hopper near second base, extended his glove to force a runner out of the basepath for one out and fired the ball to first base for the double play. The 25-year-old is so smooth in the infield and harnesses big power at the plate. If he can stay healthy -- and so far, he has not been able to play a full season with the Royals -- he has the potential to vie for All-Star consideration soon. -- Anne Rogers
Tigers: Casey Mize
The Tigers haven't had a starting pitcher make the All-Star team since Michael Fulmer in 2017. It's tough for a starter from a rebuilding team to earn a selection, but if Mize can continue on this trajectory of stingy, solid pitching, he'll open a lot of eyes by the time next year's Midsummer Classic comes around. -- Jason Beck
Twins: C Mitch Garver
A foul ball off his groin area -- and the emergency surgery that ensued -- all but ended a resurgent Garver's bid for a spot on the All-Star team, cutting his first half short at eight homers, a .500 slugging percentage and an .833 OPS through 41 games. At a position that traditionally doesn’t have much offensive star power, there’s clearly a ton of hitting talent here. The 30-year-old backstop was well on his way to showing that his 2019 Silver Slugger season was not a fluke following a disappointing 2020 and a slow start in 2021. His 178 wRC+ in May ranked seventh among all big league hitters with at least 70 plate appearances in the month. -- Do-Hyoung Park
White Sox: OF Luis Robert
There’s a veritable plethora of choices for the White Sox in this particular category, including left fielders Eloy Jiménez and Andrew Vaughn, pitcher Michael Kopech, third baseman Yoán Moncada and shortstop Tim Anderson (assuming the latter two aren't selected in ‘21). But let’s go with Robert, who might possess the most overall talent of the whole group. Robert already is a Gold Glove-winning center fielder and was in AL MVP consideration last season before a rough September changed that course. He has been sidelined since May 2 with a right hip flexor tear but could very well return this season. Robert is just 23 and still learning the game, but his immense potential is undeniable. -- Scott Merkin
AL WEST
Angels: Max Stassi
Stassi had a breakout year offensively in 2020 and has kept it rolling this season. He’s dealt with a few injuries that will keep him out of consideration for the All-Star Game, but he has been one of the better-hitting catchers in the league again this year. He’s also considered a plus-defender behind the plate and is known for his pitch-framing skills. At 30 years old he’s a late bloomer who is set to be a free agent after next season, but his offensive output has been hard to ignore. -- Rhett Bollinger
Astros: DH Yordan Alvarez
It’s just a matter of time before this 6-foot-5, 220-pound slugger gets his first All-Star nod, and while it may not be this year, Alvarez most likely will spend the rest of the season making a case for ‘22. Alvarez, who was a unanimous choice for the AL Rookie of the Year Award two years ago, has hit tape-measure home runs both at home and on the road. He posted 90 RBIs over his first 100 career games in the big leagues, and he became the first player in MLB history to record 30 doubles and 30 homers in those first 100 games. -- Alyson Footer
Athletics: RHP James Kaprielian
It wasn’t too long ago that the A’s were unsure about Kaprielian’s long-term ability to start given his issues with injuries in recent years. Not only has he proven to be durable since his callup to the Majors earlier this season, he’s emerged as one of the club’s top starters. Through his first seven big league starts, the right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.84 ERA and has racked up 42 strikeouts across 38 innings. It appears that Kaprielian is finally performing like the talent the A’s were expecting to acquire from the Yankees in the 2017 Sonny Gray trade. -- Martín Gallegos
Mariners: SS J.P. Crawford
Crawford already has the Gold Glove Award hardware recognizing that he’s among the best defensive players in the game. And now, his bat is beginning to catch up to his glove. It’s hard to believe that this represents the first 162-game season for the everyday shortstop, since he was a former first-round Draft pick and broke into the Majors in 2018. He might have a shot at the Midsummer Classic this year, but it’s probably an outside one given that there are just four weeks left. But if he keeps raking this way and continues to shine with his glove, Crawford could very well be there in 2022. -- Daniel Kramer
Rangers: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Kiner-Falefa was discouraged when he found out he was ranked 11th among AL shortstops in MLB’s first ballot update. He's been one of the few bright spots on a struggling Rangers team this season on both sides of the field. Coming off a Gold Glove Award at third base in 2020, his move to the everyday shortstop role is looking like the right decision. He leads all AL shortstops in defensive runs saved with 10 and is second in WAR behind Houston’s Carlos Correa. And his bat has been game changing in 2021. Going into Sunday, he was slashing .291/.327/.418 in the leadoff spot. Since the start of May, he leads all AL shortstops in hits, stolen bases and multihit games. If he fails to make the All-Star team this season, there’s no doubt he’ll gain some name recognition to get there eventually. -- Kennedi Landry
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: LHP Max Fried
Fried got off to a rough start this season after finishing fifth in last year’s NL Cy Young Award balloting, but the success he's had since returning from the injured list has provided the reminder that he has the ability to be one of the game’s top starters. Gaining his first All-Star selection this year seems like a long shot. But there may soon be a time when he and his high school buddies -- Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito -- can all bid to reunite at the Midsummer Classic on an annual basis. -- Mark Bowman
Marlins: 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm grabbed headlines during the early part of the season with his blend of power, speed and colorful hair, but he has been sidelined on two occasions because of injuries. Despite that, he still ranks among the NL rookie leaders in several offensive categories, including home runs and stolen bases. Because of all the missed time, Chisholm is unlikely to make the All-Star team this year. But with his skillset and personality, expect to see him punch his ticket in the future. -- Christina De Nicola
Mets: OF Dominic Smith
Smith likely would have made the All-Star team last year had there been a game. He won’t make it this year due to a slow start at the plate. But there’s too much talent here for Smith to spend every Midsummer Classic at home. He’ll remain an integral part of the Mets’ lineup next season no matter how the rest of the roster shakes out, and his left-handed swing should continue to generate production for him in future seasons. -- Anthony DiComo
Nationals: RHP Cade Cavalli
It seems like only a matter of time before Juan Soto and Trea Turner earn an All-Star nod, so let's look further down the road for this one. Even though Cavalli just recently got called up to Double-A, the future is bright for the Nationals' No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old struck out 15 batters prior to his promotion, and he has recorded 77 strikeouts in his first 46 2/3 innings (14.9/nine innings) this season. -- Jessica Camerato
Phillies: 3B Alec Bohm
Some might consider this a bold prediction because Bohm has struggled offensively this season (although he is hitting the ball well this month), but the talent is there and the bet is that Bohm rebounds in 2022, returning to the form that had him place second in the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year race. -- Todd Zolecki
NL CENTRAL
Brewers: RHP Freddy Peralta
Brandon Woodruff and Josh Hader appear All-Star Game bound this year and Corbin Burnes also has a shot after making early-season headlines with those big strikeout numbers, so Peralta may have to wait. His performance has been worthy, however, including a seven-inning, two-run outing against the Reds on Wednesday in which Peralta didn’t allow a walk for the first time this season. His 35.9 percent strikeout rate puts Peralta among MLB’s top five qualifiers alongside the likes of Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow and Max Scherzer. Plus, there’s room to get better; Peralta just turned 25 this month. -- Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: OF Dylan Carlson
Bit by bit, Carlson is turning into the player the Cardinals were hoping for while he was rising through the ranks as their top prospect. He’s continuing to hit his bumps, as rookies do, but the 22-year-old owns some of the best at-bats by Cardinals batters when he’s performing at his peak. Adding more power, as he's expected to do, will only help his chances next year, as will his aptitude in the field, which he's shown while filling in admirably for Harrison Bader in center. Jack Flaherty, assuming he misses the 2021 Midsummer Classic due to his oblique injury, is also a prime candidate. The ace has more Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP votes than he does All-Star nods (zero, somehow). -- Zachary Silver
Cubs: RHP Adbert Alzolay
The Cubs have faced criticism in recent years for the lack of homegrown arms developed into impact Major Leaguers, but Alzolay is trying to rewrite that script. The right-hander spent the 2020 season overhauling his arsenal -- most notably adding a slider that has turned into one of the best in baseball by advanced metrics. A glimpse of Alzolay’s potential can be spotted in a seven-start run from April 29-June 2, when he had 41 strikeouts against six walks with a 2.95 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. Alzolay has the makings of a rotation leader in the years to come and All-Star appearances could be in his future if he stays on the current path. -- Jordan Bastian
Pirates: 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes It seems almost certain that Hayes will miss out on a first All-Star Game appearance this season due to a 60-day injured list stint with a left wrist strain. It’s a bummer, because, even with the league trying to correct his breakout September last season, he’s more than held his own. Highlight-worthy defense doesn’t hurt, either. Expect Hayes to be a threat to make the National League squad every season in the near future if he keeps up what he’s been doing. -- Jake Crouse
Reds: C Tyler Stephenson
A rookie in his first full big league season, Stephenson has been as advertised offensively, becoming a key hitter for Cincinnati in the middle of its order. Stephenson is also making improvements defensively with the help of two-time Gold Glove Award winner Tucker Barnhart. If he puts it all together, the 24-year-old Stephenson could become an emerging star in the league and one of its best all-around catchers. -- Mark Sheldon
NL WEST
D-backs: C Carson Kelly
After a rough 2020, Kelly spent the offseason simplifying his mechanics at the plate and working on his mental approach as well. Both have paid big dividends. Kelly seemed like a good bet to be the D-backs' lone All-Star Game representative this year until he suffered a fractured right wrist when he was hit by a pitch Saturday night. At the time of the injury, Kelly had an .845 OPS and a 132 OPS+. While you won’t see him in Denver this year, he’s a good bet to be in an All-Star Game sooner rather than later. -- Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: C Will Smith
There’s a chance that Smith is an All-Star in 2021, but if he’s not included in this year’s Midsummer Classic, it appears to be only a matter of time before the backstop represents the National League at an All-Star Game. -- Juan Toribio
Giants: OF Mike Yastrzemski
Yastrzemski could have been an All-Star last year, when he finished eighth in the NL MVP Award race. Two trips to the injured list have disrupted his timing at the plate and hampered his production this year, but he’s beginning to round into form, as evidenced by the go-ahead grand slam he crushed against the D-backs on Tuesday. The 30-year-old slugger had a later start to his career than most, but the resurgence of Giants veterans like Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Evan Longoria gives Yastrzemski confidence that he’ll be able to sustain his success and hopefully pick up some accolades in the years to come. -- Maria Guardado
Padres: OF Trent Grisham
There’s absolutely still a chance that Grisham makes the 2021 All-Star team if he can make up for lost time with a strong finish to June. But Grisham has missed 27 games this season while on the injured list with two separate injuries, so it might be a bit of an uphill climb. Still, he’s an obvious future All-Star, likely destined for multiple appearances. Since joining the Padres, Grisham has served as an on-base weapon at the top of the order, with some serious pop. Defensively, he’s elite, too, having won the National League Gold Glove Award in center field last season. At 24, Grisham is one of the best young players in the game. His Midsummer Classic debut probably isn’t far off. -- AJ Cassavell
Rockies: OF Raimel Tapia
Coming into this season, Tapia was looked at as an emerging star. He disappeared from consciousness during an early-season slump. But Tapia is enjoying a 17-game hit streak, with his average above .300 and with an exciting style of play that has made him a doubles threat. Also, in a time of high strikeouts in the sport, Tapia has become one of the hardest players to strike out in the game. A recent strong homestand could help his candidacy in 2021, but if he doesn't get there this year, he could be one of the Rockies' representatives at the 2022 Midsummer Classic. -- Thomas Harding