{ Easier to read tables at https://wbl.dmlco.com/wp/2025/02/05/...-nl-all-stars/ }
For each section, if a player doesn't qualify for batting stats (roughly 270 PA), their G and PA are listed. Bold indicates a leader at that position for the stat; top 3 listed for most stats.
If you compare this with the prior post discussing the AL, the gap in offensive talent and pitching depth becomes apparent.
#C
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Josh Gibson (HOM) 1.234 390/481/754 27 2B; 23 HR; 79 RBI; 5.3 WAR 3.4 FRM
Gary Carter (OTT) 1.102 324/387/715 31 HR; 663 RBI; 3.9 WAR 48% RTO
Mike Piazza (BRK) 1.027 311/348/679 31 HR; 70 RBI; 2.9 WAR
Jim Pagliaroni (BBB) .898 248/355/543
Buster Posey (NYG) .894 291/344/550
Ted Simmons (KCM) .880 285/314/565 25 2B 4.08 CERA
FRM=Framing Runs | RTO%=Runners Thrown Out | CERA=Catcher ERA
The only question here is whether the NL dips below the big 3. 21 Year old
Josh Gibson will start, of course, with
Gary Carter and
Mike Piazza in reserve.
#1B
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Will Clark (NYG) .989 302/381/608 56 RBI; 1.8 WAR
Mike Epstein (HOM) .971 252/386/585 22 HR; 63 RBI; 1.7 WAR .998 Fldg
Anthony Rizzo (HOD) .964 278/402/561
Joe Harris (HOD) .956 295/410/546
Jeff Bagwell (HOU) .938 279/376/562 71 RBI
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
The NL has a totally different challenge to the AL: here, it is whether
any of the natural 1B really deserve to make the team.
Will Clark will start, with
Mike Epstein on the bench.
Joe Harris split his time between 1B and the OF, and may be selected in that role.
#2B
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Joe Morgan (IND) 1.101 324/425/676 50 RBI; 2.2 WAR 52 G / 221 PA
Roberto Alomar (OTT) .972 312/391/581 22 2B; 18 HR; 65 RBI; 31 SB; 3.3 WAR
Ryne Sandberg (HOD) .964 303/356/608 28 HR; 60 RBI; 2.7 WAR .997 Fldg; 5.04 RF
Jackie Robinson (BRK) .897 270/357/540 17 HR
Craig Biggio (HOU) .837 267/371/466
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
Roberto Alomar and
Ryne Sandberg are locks, with Alomar getting the nod as the starter. Beyond them, it gets interesting:
Joe Morgan has been phenomenal, but missed a significant chunk of time while
Jackie Robinson may deserve a spot, but has split his time between 2B and 1B. While Robinson is invaluable to Brooklyn, his offensive production is excellent for a 2B, but only solid for a 1B.
#SS
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Ernie Banks (HOD) 1.006 287/316/690 34 HR; 78 RBI; 1.7 WAR
Carlos Correa (HOU) .931 322/396/535 20 2B; 13 HR; 40 RBI; 3.1 WAR .981 Fldg; 4.2 ZR
Álex Rodríguez (OTT) .899 260/322/577 25 HR; 45 RBI; 20 SB; 1.5 WAR .974 Fldg
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
While some may suggest that Kansas City's
Ozzie Smith deserves to be listed here due to his defensive prowess (he leads all SS in Fldg, RF,
and ZR), it's a bit too much to imagine a sub-.700 OPS warranting an all star spot.
Ernie Banks and
Carlos Correa are in, with
Álex Rodríguez on the bubble for a while.
#3B
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Albert Pujols (KCM) 1.003 314/381/622 32 2B; 60 RBI; 2.5 WAR
Ron Cey (BRK) .978 278/375/602 22 HR; 2.6 WAR .978 Fldg; 2.46 RF; 3.5 ZR
Eddie Mathews (BBB) .917 222/345/572 27 HR; 56 RBI 2.76 RF
Scott Rolen (PHI) .911 275/349/562 55 RBI; 2.1 WAR .976 Fldg; 2.6 ZR
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
Albert Pujols is named the starter here (although he may end up shifting over to 1B in the game itself), with
Ron Cey behind him.
Eddie Mathews' best hope of making the cut is if he ends up being the leading candidate for Birmingham, but my guess is they find representation on the pitching staff first.
#LF/RF
As with the AL, we'll treat the corner OF's together.
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Larry Walker (OTT) 1.080 292/364/715 37 HR; 877 RBI; 2.5 WAR 3.97 RF
Rick Reichardt (HOM) 1.044 314/387/657
Tony Gwynn (HOU) 1.030 390/429/601 27 2B; 6 3B; 3.1 WAR 5 Kills
Aaron Judge (PHI) .972 272/368/604 .993 Fldg
Stan Musial (KCM) .964 329/392/573 37 2B; 2.2 WAR 5.7 ZR
Joe Rogan (PHI) .958 296/341/617
Johnny Callison (NYG) .913 272/333/580 .993 Fldg
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
Certainly
Larry Walker,
Rick Reichardt, and
Tony Gwynn make it, with Gwynn and Walker earning the starting nods. It seems like
Aaron Judge and
Stan Musial should make the cut as well, and Rogan gets a roster spot for his combined effort on the mound and at the plate.
#CF
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats Other
Rick Monday (OTT) 1.207 305/397/809 46 G / 151 PA
Oscar Charleston (IND) 1.006 335/384/622 19 2B; 9 3B; 63 RBI; 25 SB; 2.7 WAR
Willie Mays (NYG) .974 277/347/627 31 HR; 62 RBI; 3.1 WAR 8.5 ZR
Carlos Beltrán (OTT) .860 253/326/534 63 RBI
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
Rick Monday can't be a serious candidate, given his playing time, but wow are those numbers eye-popping.
Oscar Charleston gets the start at age 20, with
Willie Mays also being named to the team.
Carlos Beltrán is listed partially to show the gap between Mays and the next group of CFers. Rogan could also have been listed here.
#DH
Code:
Name OPS Slash Reg Stats
Willie Stargell (HOM) .954 270/348/606 14 2B; 27 HR; 60 RBI; 1.2 WAR
Albert Belle (BBB) .884 256/313/571 15 2B; 26 HR; 59 RBI
Benny Kauff (NYG) .869 261/315/553 19 2B
Duke Snider (BRK) .771 226/262/509 25 HR; 54 RBI
Fldg=Fielding % | RF=Range Factor | ZR=Zone Rating
Willie Stargell will start, but it's not clear any of the rest of these make it: Mathews is a better selection for Birmingham if one is needed, and
Benny Kauff and
Duke Snider--while doing well--just aren't quite all star material this year.
#SP
Now things get a lot tighter in the NL. Here is everyone with a sub 4.00 ERA and/or 10 or more wins, plus a few others.
Code:
Name W-L; ERA Reg Stats Other
A. Rube Foster (KCM) 5-1, 2.20 .202 BABIP, 0.96 WHIP, 3.67 FIP 88% QS, 2 SHO
Toad Ramsey (HOU) 12-4, 2.60 163 K, 0.90 WHIP, 2.68 FIP, 5.8 WAR 72% QS, 2 SHO, 2.29 SIERA, 2.0 WPA
Fernando Valenzuela (BRK) 6-1, 2.66 0.87 WHIP; .176 BABIP 3 GS / 74 IP
Hardie Henderson (PHI) 10-6, 3.05 .214 BABIP 1.5 WPA
Jim Whitney 5-2, 3.11 1 Sv; 2 H, 1.02 WHIP 75% QS, 2.0 WPA
Roger Clemens (HOU) 10-4, 3.64 .210 BABIP
Smokey Joe Williams (BRK) 7-8, 3.64 3.4 WAR
Orel Hershiser (BRK) 11-4, 3.70
Luis Padrón (IND) 12-2, 3.87 3.44 FIP, 3.8 WAR 2 SHO
Smokey Joe Wood (KCM) 9-6, 3.95
J.M. Ward (PHI) 4-4, 3.99
Frank Castillo (KCM) 10-1, 4.43 2 SHO
Bullet Joe Rogan (PHI) 5-8, 4.46 2 SHO
FIP=Fielding Independent Pitching | BABIP=BA Allowed on Balls In Play | QS=Quality Starts | SHO=Shutouts | SIERA=Skill Interactive ERA | WPA=Win Probability Added
Toad Ramsey is the starter, with
Luis Padrón and
A. Rube Foster close behind.
Hardie Henderson seems to be another required choice, with his ERA barely eclipsing 3.00.
After that choices, have to be made:
Jim Whitney has been brilliant, but
just barely qualifies for the ERA title.
Fernando Valenzuela has been
even better, but was used out of the bullpen for most of the season. And how do you ignore a starting pitcher with a 10-1 record? I don't think you can, so we'll add Valenzuela and Castillo, snubbing Brooklyn's very strong duo of
Orel Hershiser and
Smokey Joe Williams.
#RP
Code:
Name W-L; ERA Reg Stats Other
Harley Young (BBB) 0-1, 1.12 3 Sv; 6 H 1.87 FIP
Craig Kimbrel (KCM) 2-3, 1.85 2 Sv; 11 H 2.38 FIP; 15 SD; 2.88 SIERA
Robb Nen (NYG) 3-2, 1.89 9 Sv; 6 H
Tug McGraw (HOU) 3-3, 2.05 9 Sv .90 Sv%
Eddie Guardado (KCM) 2-1, 2.05 1 Sv; 5 H 2.58 FIP
Lee Smith (HOD) 4-1, 2.65 6 Sv; 6 H .198 BABIP; 0.771 WHIP; .86 Sv%; 2.89 SIERA
Eric Gagne (BRK) 2-1, 2.81 19 Sv 18 SD
Josh Lindblom (HOM) 4-2, 3.19 23 Sv .96 Sv%; 18 SD
Ted Kennedy (PHI) 2-2, 3.47 4 Sv; 9 H
Rob Murphy (IND) 1-3, 3.55 1 Sv; 11 H
Michael Jackson (HOM) 1-4, 3.73 1 Sv; 12 H
Bob Howry (PHI) 3-1, 4.09 12 Sv .172 BABIP; 0.82 WHIP
FIP=Fielding Independent Pitching | BABPI=BA Allowed on Balls In Play | SD=Shutdowns | SIERA=Skill Interactive ERA | Sv%=Save %
More hard choices.
Harley Young and
Craig Kimbrel have been essentially unhittable and
Eric Gagne and
Josh Lindblom have been the most effective closers. So those 4 for sure.
Robb Nen has done everything the Gothams have asked, covering as closer while
Brian Wilson was injured, and continuing to dominate after Wilson's return (Wilson only misses the team through a lack of IP after his injury).
The real omission here seems to be
Lee Smith, who has stepped into the closers role for the House of David with aplomb, reflected in his overall statistical performance.
#NL All Stars
It came down to
Scott Rolen,
Buster Posey,
Smokey Joe Williams, and
Jim Whitney for the NL's final spot. We decided to honor their dominant pitching as a league, removing Rolen and Posey from consideration.
Williams has only pitched roughly a dozen innings more than Whitney, who has better numbers across the board. That leaves Smokey Joe on the outside looking in this year.
As with the AL, here are the highest ranked performers in various categories who missed the cut.
Hank Aaron (BBB). #4 in H (96); #6 in HR (29); #16 in SLG (.588).
Joe Harris (HOD). #13 in BA (.295); #3 in OBP (.410); #18 in OPS (.956).
Jeff Bagwell (HOU). #4 in RBI (71).
Buster Posey (NYG). #13 in WAR (2.2).
Nap Lajoie (HOM). #3 in 2B (28).
Pete Hill (HOU). #1 in 3B (10).
Tim Raines (OTT). #1 in SB (59).
Orel Hershiser (BRK). #3 in W (11).
Christy Mathewson (NYG). #2 in IP (128); #2 in K (124).
Smokey Joe Williams (BRK). #3 in WAR (3.4); #4 in FIP (3.73).
Roger Clemens (HOU). #5 in ERA (3.64).
J.M. Ward (PHI). #4 in WHIP (1.02).
Rob Dibble (IND) and
Jeff Pfeffer (KCM) are tied for #3 in Saves with 16, but neither have an ERA under 5.00.
The offensive players look fine. Mathewson and especially Smokey Joe have a right to feel aggrieved about this one.
Starters in bold.
C: Gary Carter (OTT),
Josh Gibson (HOM); Mike Piazza (BRK).
1B:
Will Clark (NYG), Mike Epstein (HOM).
2B:
Roberto Alomar (OTT), Ryne Sandberg (HOD).
SS:
Ernie Banks (HOD), Carlos Correa (HOU).
3B: Ron Cey (BRK),
Albert Pujols (KCM).
LF:
Tony Gwynn (HOU); Rick Reichardt (HOM).
CF:
Oscar Charleston (IND), Joe Rogan (PHI), Willie Mays (NYG).
RF: Aaron Judge (PHI), Stan Musial (KCM),
Larry Walker (OTT).
DH:
Willie Stargell (HOM).
SP: Frank Castillo (KCM), A. Rube Foster (KCM), Hardie Henderson (PHI), Luis Padrón (IND),
Toad Ramsey (HOU), Fernando Valenzuela (BRK), Jim Whitney (BBB).
RP: Eric Gagne (BRK), Craig Kimbrel (KCM), Josh Lindblom (HOM), Robb Nen (NYG), Harley Young (BBB).
Selections are more consistently spread across the NL, with Homestead and Kansas City leading the way with 5 players each. All teams saw at least 2 players selected for the midsummer classic.
Brooklyn, with the best record in the league, may feel a bit hard done by, as both Smokey Joe Williams and Jackie Robinson are left off the squad. Indianapolis has a similar argument, with only 2 representatives despite being only a game out of 1st with a record over .500, but the omission of Joe Morgan due to playing time is more understandable.
Here they are by team:
Homestead Grays (.535). Mike Epstein (1B),
Josh Gibson (C), Josh Lindblom (P), Rick Reichardt (OF),
Willie Stargell (DH).
Kansas City Monarchs (.534). Frank Castillo (P), A. Rube Foster (P), Craig Kimbrel (P), Stan Musial (OF),
Albert Pujols (3B).
Brooklyn Royal Giants (.575). Ron Cey (3B), Eric Gagne (P), Mike Piazza (C), Fernando Valenzuela (P).
New York Gothams (.494).
Will Clark (1B), Willie Mays (OF), Robb Nen (P).
Houston Colt 45's (.494). Carlos Correa (SS),
Tony Gwynn (OF),
Toad Ramsey (P).
Philadelphia Stars (.483). Hardie Henderson (P), Aaron Judge (OF), Joe Rogan (U/P).
Ottawa Mounties (.460).
Roberto Alomar (2B), Álex Rodríguez (SS),
Larry Walker (OF).
Indianapolis ABC's (.523).
Oscar Charleston (OF), Luis Padrón (P).
Wandering House of David (.471).
Ernie Banks (SS), Lee Smith (P).
Birmingham Black Barons (.432). Harley Young (P), Jim Whitney (P).
The NL sees only 4 repeat all-stars: Mike Epstein, Josh Gibson, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial