While the MLB All-Star Game no longer affects postseason seeding, it remains one of the sport’s biggest nights. This year’s Midsummer Classic takes place in Atlanta, and fan voting is set to heat up as the game is around a month away.
There are a few interesting races for the honor of starting in the All-Star Game—especially at American League first base, where Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. isn’t necessarily a lock to start.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Faces Tough Competition
MLB insider Will Leitch examined some of the positional battles for All-Star starters, including Guerrero Jr.’s push for what would be his fourth All-Star start at first base. He’s likely to be voted in again because of his popularity—and he’s also having a strong season.
After signing a long-term deal with the Blue Jays before the season, he’s currently hitting .273 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs. He remains a dangerous hitter, with his exit velocity, bat speed, hard-hit percentage and barrel rate ranking among the best in the sport. He also owns a career-high 13.9% walk rate, helping him reach base safely in over 30 straight games.
With his 1st inning Home Run, Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extends his on-base streak to 20 games (Longest active streak in MLB)#LightsupLetsGo pic.twitter.com/wB7GUXiF42
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 20, 2025
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt earning the start would be a great comeback story. The former National League MVP was thought to be declining when he left the St. Louis Cardinals this past offseason. After winning the MVP in 2022, his OPS dipped nearly 30 points over his final two seasons in St. Louis.
Still, the Yankees believed in him and signed him to a one-year, $12 million deal. Goldschmidt has exceeded even their expectations. He’s among the league leaders with a .323 batting average and is hitting .400 with runners in scoring position.
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT WITH A LEADOFF DOUBLE pic.twitter.com/pbqGbN07Dt
— Yankees Pod 🎧 (@YankeesPod) May 29, 2025
Another candidate is Detroit Tigers slugger Spencer Torkelson. The former No. 1 overall pick struggled in 2024 after a 31-homer season in 2023—leading some insiders to believe he might be traded if he didn’t make the team out of spring training.
Instead, he delivered. Torkelson is on pace to hit over 30 homers with 100-plus RBIs. His chase rate has dropped, and he’s no longer swinging at as many bad pitches. At 41-23, the Tigers own the best record in baseball, and Torkelson may be rewarded with a starting nod if the success continues.
Tork welcomes ’em to The Show 💣 pic.twitter.com/qLp9YEp6Po
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 31, 2025
Then there’s the ultimate X-factor: Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda. Signed as a teenager 10 years ago, he’s now thriving in his first full MLB season. Aranda has a .913 OPS—higher than any other contender—and he’s hitting well over .300. His hard-hit percentage ranks are also among the league’s best. Aranda emerging as an All-Star starter would be a true breakout story.
Jonathan Aranda is so damn good pic.twitter.com/1rwWwzthRh
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) May 30, 2025
No matter who gets the nod, there’s no shortage of worthy candidates at AL first base.