Ranking the Minnesota Twins Most Likely All-Stars in 2024

While the MLB All-Star Game might not have implications for the season, it remains a crucial benchmark for evaluating players in a historical context. Earning an All-Star nod is often referenced when discussing careers and legacies. Plus, it's a fun topic for discussion, allowing fans to celebrate their favorite players and debate who truly deserves the honor. So, even if the game itself is just an exhibition, the conversation it sparks is always worth having.

Before we dive into the countdown, a quick refresher on the All-Star selection process, given that the process just changed in 2022.

The All-Star Game starters, except for pitchers, are chosen through a fan vote divided into two phases. In Phase 1, fans vote for players at each position, including the designated hitter for both leagues. The top overall vote-getter in each league automatically earns a starting spot. The top two players at each position (and top six outfielders) move on to Phase 2, where fans select from these finalists. The winners in Phase 2, plus the top vote-getters from Phase 1, become the All-Star starters.

For the rest of the roster, a combination of Player Ballot selections and the Commissioner's Office picks the pitchers and reserve position players. Each league has 32 spots (20 position players and 12 pitchers), ensuring every team is represented. 

Let’s count down the five Minnesota Twins players with the best chance to earn a spot in the Mid-Summer Classic in Arlington next month.

5. Max Kepler
After a brief stint on the injured list in the middle of April, Kepler has been one of the best hitters on the Minnesota Twins this season with a 121 OPS+ on the season. Kepler has built upon the breakout second half of the season that he had in 2023 and is setting himself up for a hefty payday as he approaches free agency following the season.

Barring a hot streak over the next month, it’s hard to see Kepler cracking the All-Star team, though he may not be as far off as you may think. Among American League outfielders, Kepler ranks 18th in wRC+ (122), 9th in WPA (0.96) and 21st in fWAR. Still a ways out, but a hot streak could put him in the top-10 in each of those categories.

4. Carlos Correa
Carlos Correa brings the name value that will always put him in the All-Star conversation. He has been a top-five shortstop this season in the American League by most metrics, and has hit much better this season than he did last season now that he is healthy.

Holding Correa back is how stacked the shortstop position is in the American League this year. Both Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson are playing like MVP candidates along with other big names like Corey Seager. Correa also lags behind other shortstops in games played due to his intercostal strain earlier this season.

3. Griffin Jax
Griffin Jax has been the star of the excellent Minnesota Twins bullpen this season. Among American League relievers who have thrown at least 25 innings this season, Jax is 12th in ERA (2.13), 9th in K/9 (11.72), 7th in WHIP (0.87). 

The Minnesota Twins own a top-five bullpen by just about any metric this season and Griffin Jax has been the star of the show. Giving the best player on a top bullpen gives Jax a case for making his first career all-star game. Holding Jax back, of course, is that he is not a traditional closer and only has five saves, but with how the conversation around bullpens and saves has changed, that shouldn’t preclude Jax from a selection.

2. Joe Ryan
Though he is coming off of his worst start of the 2024 season, Joe Ryan still has a case to make for being an All-Star this season. Ryan is entering this week with a 3.30 ERA (18th best among American League starters), 9.6 K/9 (8th best), 1.01 WHIP (8th best), and 1.5 fWAR (14th best). 

With his next two starts lined up against the Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics, Ryan has plenty of opportunity to improve his numbers, pad his stats and come into the All-Star break with enough momentum to earn a selection.

1. Ryan Jeffers
Without a doubt, Minnesota’s most likely all-star this season is Ryan Jeffers. Jeffers ranks top-3 among American League catchers in OPS (.858), fWAR (1.8), RBI (36) and WPA (1.24). He is tied for first with 12 home runs.

Jeffers has a decent shot at not only making the All-Star game, but starting the All-Star game for the American League. He will have to fend off some big names in Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman, but given his statistical profile, he definitely has a case to make. It’s up to Twins fans to get him there.

Who do you think is the most likely Twin to make the all-star game? Were any names missed in the above countdown? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!