2022 All-MLB Team Offense Predictions

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While most of the focus is on the flashier awards, the All-MLB team interests me the most. It’s worth reflecting on the 2022 season in the context of positional production. Too often we overlook certain players because their position restricts them from producing serious numbers; the All-MLB team lets us rectify the lack of attention given to these less glamorous positions.

C

JT Realmuto

Adley Rutschmann’s fantastic rookie season would’ve warranted an All-MLB team appearance had he played more games, but the Orioles took their time with him.

Anyways, it was another all-MLB-level season from the Phillies’ backstop. Realmuto led catchers in RBIs and stolen bases while keeping up with guys like William Contreras and Cal Raleigh in other benchmark batting statistics. Already picking up a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger at the catcher position, it’s looking to be a cabinet-stuffing season for Realmuto.

1B

Paul Goldschmidt

The Cardinals have the most uniquely rabid fanbase in professional sports. This relatively small market team has consistently inflated the profile of all its players through the fan-vote element of MLB awards season. This team has carried the likes of Nolan Arenado and Yadier Molina to multiple platinum glove awards, and it’ll surely carry Paul Goldschmidt to an All-MLB team appearance.

That’s not to say that Goldschmidt doesn’t deserve the award. Quite the opposite, actually. Goldschmidt ranked top 5 in most standard hitting statistics while topping the NL OPS+ leaderboards. A mediocre end-of-season run tempered any serious award consideration for Goldy, but he did just enough in the months of May and August to eke out Freddie Freeman for the All-MLB team.

2B

Jose Altuve

The Astros vet has been gradually picking up goodwill since the 2017 cheating scandal. It seems that the world series champion has given out enough hugs to be in the conversation for a fan-voted honor. Altuve is best in OPS, HRs, and xWOBA while keeping pace with the rest of a relatively weak 2B class. Jeff McNeil and his anomalous .326 BA may take this award from Altuve, but best believe it’ll be a close one.

SS

Francisco Lindor

Given what is likely to be a fractured SS vote, it’s really your pick for who gets this position. Xander Bogaerts will get some votes from the Boston faithful, Braves fans and teenage girls will keep Dansby Swanson up there, Jeremy Pena’s postseason run may catapult him to an (undeserved) nomination, Corey Seager is a slugger, Trea Turner had himself a decent season, and Carlos Correa is always a safe vote. Lindor’s charm, RBI count, HRs, and status as the offensive face of the Mets could be enough to get Lindor the honor.

3B

Jose Ramirez

Most of the hype surrounding the Cleveland Guardians focused on the rookies Kwan and Gimenez, but the Guardians wouldn’t have gone anywhere if not for their superstar third baseman. JRam ranked top 15 in most standard statistics while keeping a low K rate. Ramirez has got serious competition with Austin Riley, Manny Machado, and Rafael Devers in competition for the honor, but none of those players were as consistently threatening as Ramirez. Hopefully, Cleveland will turn out for Jose Ramirez and help him add to his HOF resume.

DH

Yordan Alvarez

There would be little debate over most positional honors had Alvarez existed in an Ohtani-less reality. If it wasn’t for you-know-who, this probably would’ve been an MVP year for Alvarez. To his chagrin, Alvarez is in serious competition with the two-way star for even this award. While Alvarez was the superior hitter in nearly all regards, he wasn’t pitching every five days. Ohtani’s mega-star status may get him the honor, but Alvarez’s otherworldly postseason run should get him over the hump.

OF

Aaron Judge

Putting Aaron Judge on my All-MLB team was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. The Yankees’ superstar broke Maris’ AL home run record while also holding leads in almost every standard and advanced hitting statistic known to man. Aaron Judge was, unequivocally, the best player in baseball.

Mike Trout

Despite missing over 40 games, Trout still managed to get 40 balls over the fence while standing on the doorstep of 1.000 OPS. While the breakouts of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani dampened Trout’s star power, Mike Trout is still Mike Trout. I’d have no problem penciling in the future HOFer in this team for the next half-decade – if he manages to stay healthy for that long.

Mookie Betts

While his numbers aren’t as flashy as they used to be (slashing .269/.340/.533 with a 136 OPS+), Betts might’ve been the biggest part of the Dodgers’ 112-win season. He offered his usual gold-glove-level defense, all while leading the league in runs and putting up a wOBA in the 95th percentile. With flawed competitors (Kwan’s lack of power, Schwarber’s defense, Tucker’s AVG), Betts should be able to add another all-MLB honor to his resume.

Put in your All-MLB votes here

Check back here in a week for the All-MLB pitching predictions!