MLB
Who are the MLB active players with the most All-Star selections?
With two players on the 2024 MLB All Star roster appearing for the ninth time, we look at the active players with the most selections.
Let’s take a stroll down All-Star Baseball’s memory lane and celebrate some of baseball’s all-time greats, starting with the legendary Hank Aaron. This guy was an All-Star in 21 of his 23 MLB seasons; talk about a powerhouse! Right behind him are Willie Mays and Stan Musial, each racking up 20 All-Star appearances. In 2023, Miguel Cabrera topped the active players list with 12 All-Star selections, but with Cabrera hanging up his cleats, it’s time for a new generation to shine.
The 2024 All-Star rosters are packed with talent, so let’s dive into the active players who’ve made it to seven or more All-Star Games. And don’t worry, we won’t forget to give a nod to those on the cusp like Gerrit Cole, Manny Machado, J.D. Martinez, Aaron Judge, and José Ramírez, each sitting pretty with six selections.
1. Mike Trout – 11 All-Star Selections
Mike Trout, a name synonymous with greatness over the last decade, was an All-Star in 11 of his first 13 seasons. The only times he missed? His debut year in 2011, just three days before the All-Star Game, and 2020, when the game was canceled due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, Trout wasn’t in the 2024 lineup due to knee surgery after playing only 29 games in April. But let’s not forget, he’s a three-time MVP with over 350 home runs and 200 stolen bases. His bWAR? Top 50 of all time already!
2. Clayton Kershaw – 10 All-Star Selections
Clayton Kershaw is a true marvel. Even though he’s rehabbing from shoulder surgery and hasn’t pitched this season, his legacy is untouchable. Kershaw made seven straight All-Star teams from 2011-17, winning three Cy Young Awards and the 2014 NL MVP. Despite injuries, he came roaring back as an All-Star in 2019, 2022, and 2023. A future Hall of Famer for sure.
T-3. Salvador Perez – 9 All-Star Selections
Salvy Perez has been a rock for the Royals. He first made the All-Star team in 2013 at 23 and hasn’t looked back. Remember when he smashed 48 homers in 2021? Perez also led the Royals to the World Series in 2014 and won it all in 2015, taking home the MVP of the Fall Classic. Only George Brett has more All-Star nods as a Royal.
T-3. José Altuve – 9 All-Star Selections
Jose Altuve, the hit machine, has an MVP Award, three batting titles, and now his ninth All-Star selection. He had a couple of down years in 2019 and 2020 but bounced back in 2021 and 2022 with stellar performances. Altuve is a cornerstone for the Astros and their franchise leader in All-Star appearances.
FUN FACT: José Altuve is the only player to be selected for the All Star Game in each league with the same team.
T-3. Justin Verlander – 9 All-Star Selections
Justin Verlander is aging like fine wine. At 39, he grabbed his ninth All-Star nod and won the NL Cy Young in 2022 with a jaw-dropping 1.75 ERA. Verlander, a three-time Cy Young winner, finally snagged his first World Series ring with the Astros in 2017 and another in 2022.
T-3. Craig Kimbrel – 9 All-Star Selections
Craig Kimbrel, the fireballing closer, dominated from 2011-18, earning seven All-Star spots and adding two more in 2021 and 2024. With over 400 career saves, Kimbrel is one of the all-time greats, now in the top five for career saves.
T-7. Max Scherzer – 8 All-Star Selections
Max Scherzer’s rise to dominance saw him winning three Cy Young Awards and making eight All-Star teams from 2013-21. Scherzer led the Majors in strikeouts from 2016-18 and hit the 3,000-strikeout milestone in 2021. Not bad for a late bloomer!
T-7. Nolan Arenado – 8 All-Star Selections
Nolan Arenado, the defensive wizard at third base, is a ten-time Gold Glove winner and an eight-time All-Star. From 2015-23, he was a fixture at the Midsummer Classic, barring the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
T-7. Chris Sale – 8 All-Star Selections
Chris Sale was a strikeout machine from 2012-18 before injuries slowed him down. In 2024, Sale earned his eighth All-Star nod with the Braves. He was a key piece in the Red Sox’s 2018 World Series win and continues to be a force on the mound.
T-7. Freddie Freeman – 8 All-Star Selections
Freddie Freeman has been a hitting machine since 2016, leading the Majors in hits and earning six All-Star spots during that time. He won the 2020 NL MVP and helped the Braves to a World Series title in 2021. With 2,000 hits already, 3,000 is on the horizon.
T-7. Bryce Harper – 8 All-Star Selections
Bryce Harper lived up to the hype with two MVP Awards and eight All-Star selections. He’s on a Hall of Fame trajectory and added an NLCS MVP to his resume in 2022. Harper was voted an All-Star starter for the seventh time in 2024.
T-7. Mookie Betts – 8 All-Star Selections
Mookie Betts has been an All-Star every year from 2016-24. Even though he’s out with a fractured hand, his impact is undeniable. Betts, a former AL MVP, has two World Series titles, six Silver Sluggers, and six Gold Gloves to his name.
T-13. Aroldis Chapman – 7 All-Star Selections
Aroldis Chapman, known for his blazing fastball, was an All-Star four times with the Reds and three more with the Yankees. He also helped the Cubs break their 108-year World Series drought in 2016.
T-13. Paul Goldschmidt – 7 All-Star Selections
Paul Goldschmidt was an All-Star six times with the D-backs and rejuvenated his career with the Cardinals, earning an All-Star start in 2022 and winning the MVP Award. Goldy is one of the game’s premier first basemen.
So there you have it, folks! These players have dazzled us over the years with their incredible talent and unforgettable moments. Here’s to many more All-Star appearances and thrilling baseball seasons ahead!