WASHINGTON — Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the 2018 All-Star Game in D.C.
The rosters are a bit smaller this year as only 32 players will be named to the team, which is down from 34 last year.
Here’s the 2018 National League All-Star team.
Catcher: Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
Contreras’ .838 OPS ranks second among NL catchers and his .287 batting average is the third-best for NL catchers.
This is Contreras’ first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
First baseman: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
It seems like Freeman has been in the league forever, but despite playing for nine seasons he is still just 28 years old and having another great season for the surprisingly good Atlanta Braves.
He makes the top 10 in the National League for wins above replacement, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, total bases and doubles. His .315 batting average leads all qualified first baseman in the majors.
This would be Freeman’s third All-Star Game but his first as a starter.
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Second base: Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
Javier Baez is a jack of all trades for the Cubs, playing every infield position this season and in an emergency can play the outfield as well.
Baez’s 16 stolen bases leads NL second baseman and cracks to the top 10 overall in the NL. Baez also leads NL second baseman in OPS and ranks second in homers and triples.
This is Baez’s first trip to the All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Third baseman: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
The Rockies play their home games at Coors Field, a park that few pitchers enjoy, but a park that Arenado certainly seems to enjoy.
He’s tied for the NL lead in homers, and ranks in the top 10 in most offensive categories while playing a stellar defensive third base. The one knock against Arenado is away from the hitter’s haven that is Coors Field, his batting average, slugging percentage and OPS all drop by more than 100 points.
This is Arenado’s fourth All-Star Game and his second straight appearance as the National League’s starting third baseman.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants
The Giants’ Brandon Crawford leads all qualified National League shortstops in batting average and on-base percentage. His OPS is second, trailing only the Rockies’ Trevor Story who gets some help from playing in Coors Field. Crawford’s 10 homers puts him in two-way tie for fourth place among all qualified NL shortstops.
Crawford previously made the All-Star Team in 2015, but this is his first time as a starter.
(AP Photo/Matt York)
AP Photo/Matt York
Outfielder: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Bryce Harper is having a weird season.
Through July 8, he leads the National League in walks (that’s good!) but is also sixth in strikeouts and on pace to shatter his previous high in strikeouts (that’s bad!). His 21 homers are the third-most in the NL and the most for qualified right fielders (that’s good!) but his .218 batting average is the fourth-worst in the National League and the lowest batting average for qualified right fielders (that’s bad!).
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal pointed out only five previous All-Star starters entered the break with a batting average lower than Harper’s this year, but the good news for Harper is that all five of them wound up entering the Hall of Fame.
This will be Harper’s sixth All-Star Game and his fifth time as a starter.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Outfielder: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
Who says you can’t go home again? After two teams paid him to play for somebody else, Kemp has had quite the resurgence in his return to the Dodgers.
Kemp is in the top 10 in the NL in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and RBI. His .319 batting average and .910 OPS leads all qualified left fielders in the NL.
This is Kemp’s third All-Star Game, his first since 2012. He was the National League’s starting center fielder in 2011. Only two other players in the NL’s starting lineup that year are still in the major leagues.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Outfielder: Nick Markakis, Atlanta Braves
At 34 years old, the former Oriole right fielder is having a bit of a renaissance in his career and is set to play in the first All-Star Game of his 13-year career.
Markakis leads the senior circuit in hits and cracks the top 10 for batting average, on-base percentage, total bases and doubles. His .322 batting average and .879 OPS lead all qualified right fielders in the National League.
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Pitcher: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
There are not many pitchers who can dominate the way Max Scherzer has so far this season.
Scherzer leads the National League in strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings, innings pitched and batting average against (opponents are hitting an anemic .173 against him). Scherzer also cracks the top 10 in wins above replacement, ERA, wins and walks per nine innings.
This is Scherzer’s sixth All-Star Game, he started for the National League last year and for the American League in 2013. Scherzer is one of only five pitchers to start the All-Star Game for both leagues.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins
If Realmuto played for any team but the Marlins (or if the Marlins were good), he’d likely be in the starting lineup. But to play in Miami is to play in relative obscurity as Realmuto was fifth in voting for catchers according to MLB.com.
Realmuto leads NL catchers in batting average and OPS and is second in home runs and RBI. His .317 batting average is the fifth-best in the National League and he cracks the top 10 in the NL for Wins Above Replacement, slugging percentage and OPS.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Catcher: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
Posey is having another solid season. He has the second highest batting average and on-base percentage for qualified (meaning they have enough at-bats to qualify as a league leader) catchers in all of baseball. His power numbers are down this year though, he is on pace for only 10 homers, which would be the lowest total of his career and he only has the sixth best OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of qualified catchers in MLB.
An injury to his hip will keep Posey out of the All-Star Game.
This will be Posey’s fifth All-Star Game. He was the starting catcher for the National League in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Catcher: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Molina has long been recognized as one of the best defensive catchers in all of baseball, but he missed a lot of 2018 with an injury. Posey’s hip injury opened up a spot on the NL roster for Molina.
This is his ninth All-Star Game. He has been voted as a starter three times, most recently in 2013.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
First base: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
Goldschmidt got off to an uncharacteristically slow start to the 2018 season but he is been on fire since the start of June.
Among qualifying first baseman, Goldschmidt has the second best OPS and on-base percentage. He cracks to the top 10 in the NL for homers, slugging, on-base percentage, OPS and total bases.
This is his sixth straight All-Star Game, he was the National League’s starting first baseman in 2014 and 2015.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
First base: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Perhaps the most underrated hitter of his era, Joey Votto’s .425 on-base percentage leads all of baseball, but actually is a tick off his career mark of .428. Votto has only hit eight home runs, well down from the 36 he hit last year, but continues to be productive at the plate at age 34. This is his sixth All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
AP Photo/John Minchillo
Second baseman: Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
The first place Atlanta Braves have been a surprise team in the National League this year and 21-year-old Ozzie Albies has played a big role in their success.
Through July 9, he led the National League in plate appearances, runs, doubles and total bases. Even though he is listed at 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds, he has already hit 20 homers at the All-Star break.
This is Albies’ first, full season in the majors and his first All-Star appearance.
(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
AP Photo/Todd Kirkland
Second base: Scooter Gennett, Cincinnati Reds
There are no shortage of good second baseman in the National League this year.
The Reds’ Scooter Gennett leads the league in batting average and cracks the top 10 for hits and OPS.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Third base: Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds
An injury that landed the Cubs’ Kris Bryant on the disabled list means there is an opening for Eugenio Suarez.
Suarez is second only to the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado in most offensive categories among qualifying third baseman in the NL, but he is tied with Arenado for the most RBI in the NL. Suarez cracks the National League’s top 10 in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS and homers.
This is Suarez’s first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
AP Photo/John Minchillo
Shortstop: Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies
After hitting 51 home runs over his first two seasons in Colorado, Story is threatening a 30-homer campaign in his third year, with 17 through Sunday. The 25 year old is on track to set career bests in batting average (.284) and on-base percentage (.348) this season and his 62 RBI rank fifth-best in the NL.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Outfielder: Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
Coming off a breakout season that earned him fifth place in the NL MVP race, Blackmon has hit 17 home runs and scored 66 runs, good for second in the league. We know at least one little guy will be excited to hear he made the squad. This is his third All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
Outfielder: Lorenzo Cain, Milwaukee Brewers
If you’re a fan of advanced stats and defense then odds are you will love Lorenzo Cain, if you don’t already.
Cain leads all position players in wins above replacement. In more traditional stats, he has the fourth highest on-base percentage and is tied for seventh in the NL in steals. But a strained groin, which landed Cain on the disabled list, could mean that he doesn’t wind up playing.
This is Cain’s second All-Star Game, he was the starting right fielder for the American League in 2015.
(AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Outfielder: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
The solid, 26-year-old Yelich is putting up similar numbers to his career norms, but playing for a winning team in Milwaukee following his offseason trade from Miami has brought him a bit more into the spotlight.
He’s got a good shot at his first 20-20 campaign, with 11 home runs and 10 steals so far.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
AP Photo/Morry Gash
Pitcher: Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks’ ballpark, Chase Field, is known as being friendly to hitters but you wouldn’t know that from the season Corbin is having.
Corbin’s 140 strikeouts rank third in the NL and he cracks the top 10 in ERA, innings pitched, WHIP and batting average.
This would be Corbin’s second All-Star Game, he was also named to the All-Star team in 2013.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
Pitcher: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
If it weren’t for Max Scherzer, more people would be talking about what a dominant season deGrom is having for the Mets.
He leads the National League with a dazzling 1.79 ERA and his 142 strikeouts are second only to Scherzer. He cracks the top five in the National League in WHIP, innings pitched, strikeouts per nine innings and wins above replacement.
This is deGrom’s second All-Star Game, he also made the team in 2015.
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Pitcher: Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Braves
Foltynewicz is having a breakout season for the Atlanta Braves.
He is among the top 10 in the NL for ERA, WHIP, hits-per-9 innings, strikeouts-per-9 innings and strikeouts.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
Pitcher: Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs
After a shaky 2017, Lester has returned to form for the Cubs.
Through July 9, his 11 wins are tied for the NL lead and his 2.45 ERA is good enough for sixth among all NL starters. Lester also cracks the top 10 in batting average against.
Lester pitched the last game before the All-Star break and as a result, he has opted to rest and will not pitch in Tuesday’s game.
This is Lester’s fifth All-Star Game. He represented the Cubs during the 2016 All-Star Game and made the American League team as a member of the Red Sox in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
(AP Photo/David Banks)
AP Photo/David Banks
Pitcher: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks
Greinke is putting together another very solid season and Lester’s decision to sit out the All-Star Game created an opening for the 34-year-old righty.
Greinke is in the top-10 in the NL for ERA, WHIP, innings pitched and strikeouts. This is his fifth All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Pitcher: Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have surprised a lot of people in the first half of the season and Aaron Nola is a big reason why they’re in first place.
Nola ranks in the top 10 in the NL in wins above replacement, ERA, WHIP, innings pitched and strikeouts. He shares the league lead with 11 wins.
This is Nola’s first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
Pitcher: Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals
After pitching the past three seasons in Japan, Mikolas has been one of this season’s biggest surprises. In 17 starts for the Cardinals, he’s 9-3 with a 2.63 ERA, seventh-best among NL starters. Mikolas doesn’t strike a ton of guys out, but he’s issued just 17 walks in 109 innings, the only NL hurler with at least 100 IP to allow fewer than 20. His 1.03 WHIP is fifth-best in the league.
Mikolas had planned to travel to D.C., but his wife gave birth to twins on Sunday and he will be spending time with her instead.
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Pitcher: Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals
At one point last year, there was a lot of debate over who should or even could close out games for the Nats but Doolittle had ended that debate since coming over from the Oakland A’s.
Through July 9, Doolittle ranked fourth among NL relievers for saves and tops in save percentage. He also cracks the top 10 in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts and batting average among relievers.
This would be Doolittle’s second All-Star Game, he was named to the American League All-Star Team in 2014 as a member of the A’s.
An injury to his toe landed him on the disabled list and he will not be playing in this year’s game.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Pitcher, Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee Brewers
The injury to Doolittle created an opening for the Brewers 30-year-old reliever.
Jeffress has a stellar 1.34 ERA and an impressive 50 strikeouts in just 47 innings pitched, for much of the year he had an ERA of less than 1.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Pitcher: Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers
Hader leads all relief pitchers with 83 strikeouts (in just 44 innings!) and batting average (opponents are hitting a microscopic .104 against him). Only two other relief pitchers who have thrown at least 30 innings have a lower ERA.
This is Hader’s first full season in the majors and his first All-Star Game appearance.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
AP Photo/Morry Gash
Pitcher: Brad Hand, San Diego Padres
Since he converted from a starter to a reliever for the Padres in 2016, Hand has quietly become one of the best relief pitchers in the National League.
Hand is tied for second most saves in the NL and is in the top five for strikeouts by a relief pitcher.
This is his second All-Star Game appearance.
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Pitcher: Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
Jansen’s numbers are down slightly from last year when he led the National League in saves and was arguably the most dominant closer in baseball.
Jansen leads the NL in games finished and his 24 saves puts him in a tie for second place for the second most in the league. He is holding batters to an impressive .189 batting average against.
This is his third straight All-Star appearance.
(AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
AP Photo/Reed Saxon
Pitcher: Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh Pirates
Coming off an insane 2017 season, Vazquez’s numbers may not look as good on the surface this year, but his peripherals are arguably even better than they were last year. The lefty reliever has struck out 51 batters in 37.1 innings and pitched to a fielding independent pitching of just 2.24. He’s also saved 18 of 22 attempts for the Pirates.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
First baseman: Jesus Aguilar, Milwaukee Brewers
Jesus Aguilar won the final vote after seemingly come out of nowhere and exploding onto the baseball scene.
He leads the National League in homers with 24, slugging percentage and OPS.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Aaron Gash)