Diamondbacks who will likely make the NL All-Star team

It is suddenly that time of the year for All-Star Game voting and the team that should be on everyone’s mind is the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 35-25 Snakes are tied for the best record in the National League and have been one of, if not the biggest, surprises of the 2023 MLB season. 

Their record is due to the fantastic play from several key pitchers and high production from several batters, likely meaning that they will be well-represented come All-Star time in Seattle. However, not every player deserving of a spot will get the nod.

Due to the fact that every team must be represented in the festivities as well as the fact that the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who broke the win record, had eight representatives, it is likely that the Diamondbacks will see no more than three or four players. 

Here are my top 4 Arizona candidates to make the NL All-Star team.

Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll will likely make the NL All-Star team

Despite maintaining Rookie of the Year eligibility, Carroll has looked like a seasoned big league hitter, akin to the 2022 breakout of Julio Rodríguez. Being a 99th-percentile sprinter and 92nd-percentile max exit velocity hitter, he uses his mix of speed and power as well as anyone in the league. 

An analytical and traditional box score darling, he is slashing .286/.373/.523 for a .895 OPS and 145 OPS+ through 57 games this season. He already has 10 HR, 26 total extra-base hits, and 16 stolen bags; coming up just short to be on pace for a 30/30 season. 

Adding elite defense to his elite hitting tools, he has been worth 2.2 WAR for the team already and appears to be a near lock for an All-Star bid. 

Diamondbacks Zac Gallen will likely make the NL All-Star team 

The second lock from the team is the ace. Gallen has been worth 1.8 WAR himself and is on pace to win the Cy Young Award in the NL. His seven wins, 13 games started and 2.23 FIP are all NL leaders. Not to mention that his walk rate has been especially elite. 

Through 78.2 innings in 2023, he holds a 2.75 ERA, striking out 88 to just 17 walks, as well as holding on to a 1.08 WHIP. While he has been slightly worse this season in limiting hits, he has increased his strikeout rate and decreased his walk rate, as well as limiting the long ball. 

Missing out on the 2022 All-Star game is not likely to reoccur in 2023, as Gallen has been recognized as one of the top pitchers to start the season, as he is currently second in betting odds to win the prestigious Cy Young Award, according to Sports Betting Dime. 

Diamondbacks Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will likely make the NL All-Star team

The second batter and second outfielder looking to represent the Diamondbacks is a player who was not even the top billing in a trade this past offseason. However, he has played greatly above expectations and deserves his flowers. 

Slashing .310/.359/.550 for an OPS of .909 and OPS+ of 147, Gurriel has been a fantastic hitter and fantastic addition to the outfield. While he is hidden defensively by the stellar play of Carroll in center, his bat is more than worth his lack of production in the outfield. 

With 9 HR, 27 extra-base hits, 35 RBI, and just 35 strikeouts to 14 walks, the left fielder has been worth 2.1 WAR through 53 games played. 2023 has been the most productive season of his career and he should be honored with his first All-Star game nod for his play. 

Diamondbacks Merrill Kelly will likely make the NL All-Star team

Slightly outdone by his ace teammate, Kelly likely won’t finish the season in the Cy Young Award race, but he may sneak into the All-Star Game. His 2.80 ERA and seven wins, as well as his 154 ERA+, are all very impressive in their own right, but they do not tell the full story. 

He has been slightly above average in every baseball savant category, with his one elite stat being his 90th percentile chase rate. However, there are signs that he has been getting rather lucky to start the year. 

Sporting an ERA to FIP difference of -0.87 can be credited to his 2.75 strikeouts to walks and his 0.9 home runs given up per nine innings. Given a month more of a sample, his overall production may go down, but if it does not, then he is more than deserving of an All-Star nod. 

Honorable Mentions: Kyle Nelson, Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Chafin, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo