This yr, the MLB All-Star Game is not only a assortment of the sport’s greatest stars, however a glimpse at baseball historical past within the making.
The 2025 Midsummer Traditional marks the unofficial halfway level of among the best seasons the game has ever seen.
Will House Run Derby champion Cal Raleigh — aka the Massive Dumper — set a brand new customary for slugging catchers? Will Shohei Ohtani rating extra runs in a season than any residing particular person has ever seen? Will Aaron Judge … prime Aaron Decide?
As the perfect from the most important leagues convene in Atlanta, Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield break down 11 gamers who’re midway to historical past. For every, ESPN MLB reporters Jorge Castillo and Jesse Rogers requested one of many participant’s fellow All-Stars to weigh in on his accomplishments, as all of them get set to take the sphere collectively at Truist Park.
Cal Raleigh: Best season for a catcher — ever
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Effectively, we will add House Run Derby champion to the record after Raleigh’s spectacular exhibiting Monday evening. With 38 house runs via 96 group video games, Raleigh is on tempo for 64, which might break Decide’s American League report of 62 set in 2022. That is the large one. There are a complete bunch of different data in play: most house runs by a switch-hitter (Mickey Mantle, 54); most house runs by a main catcher (Salvador Perez, 48); most multihomer video games in a season (Raleigh has eight, the report is 11); and even highest catcher WAR in a season (Mike Piazza with 8.7 bWAR, Raleigh is on tempo for 8.4; Buster Posey with 9.8 fWAR, Raleigh is on tempo for 10.4). In different phrases, he may have the best season ever for a catcher.
How he is doing it: Raleigh has at all times been higher towards right-handed pitching, however he has been completely crushing lefties in 2025, hitting .337/.385/.861 with 16 house runs in solely 101 at-bats. Total, he additionally has been a lot better towards velocity. From 2022 to 2024, he slugged .418 towards pitches 93 mph or sooner; this yr, he is slugging .664. — Schoenfield
An All-Star’s take: “It is wild. I imply, he is having a loopy yr and it is superior that he is doing it from behind the plate. And what he is doing is unbelievable. It is exhausting to explain. It is wonderful to see.” — Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman
Aaron Decide: Most complete bases because the Nice Despair
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Decide closed out the primary half with a quiet day towards the Chicago Cubs however remains to be on tempo to report 435 complete bases this season. You could possibly decide any considered one of a dozen classes wherein Decide is on a historic tempo, however this easy old-school measure will just do fantastic. The report is held by Babe Ruth (457 in 1921), so Decide must in some way decide up the tempo to surpass that. However 435 would nonetheless be epic. The final participant to achieve that quantity was Jimmie Foxx in 1932.
How he is doing it: Decide has turn into extra aggressive on the plate with out sacrificing contact or energy. But it surely’s not solely ball-in-play quantity; he is hitting an unbelievable .425 when getting the bat on the ball, which fuels his MLB-leading .355 batting common. That BABIP can be the third-highest ever if Decide maintained it, which clearly impacts the overall bases column. So too does Decide’s intentional walks tempo (41). He’d be solely the fourth participant to prime 40. — Doolittle
An All-Star’s take: “He began off sizzling this yr, which usually in years previous, he would not begin off sizzling like he did this yr. And now you see it. He at all times finishes sturdy. I imply, I do not know what he finally ends up with. Hopefully he hits like 70 homers. That’d be sick.” — New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon
Shohei Ohtani: One run scored for each sport
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Though his tempo has slowed a bit the previous couple of weeks, Ohtani has scored 89 runs in 94 video games, giving him an opportunity at a run scored per sport. Ohtani had been on tempo for 160 runs, which solely Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig have completed since 1900. He is nonetheless on tempo for 150 runs, which solely Ted Williams and Jeff Bagwell have completed since World Struggle II. The final participant with extra runs scored than video games performed, with a minimum of 100 video games performed: Rickey Henderson in 1985 (146 runs in 143 video games). If that is not sufficient to impress you, there may be the prospect for a second straight 50-homer season and a fourth profession MVP award. If the latter occurs, he’ll be a part of Barry Bonds as the one participant with greater than three MVP awards.
How he is doing it: It helps to be a leadoff man with energy, as Ohtani leads the Nationwide League in each plate appearances and residential runs. The primary three months, Ohtani additionally had a fantastic trio hitting behind him in Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, however his runs scored tempo has dropped off in July as he has hit simply .175, and Betts and Freeman have additionally slumped. — Schoenfield
An All-Star’s take: “As his teammate and fellow competitor, to see what he does on each side of the sphere, it is unbelievable. How a lot energy he has as a hitter. He is obtained 30-plus homers already on the break. He is hitting .300 or no matter. And, yeah, he is going on the market on the mound and throwing 102, hanging out the aspect. And these are his rehab video games. He is not even all the best way again but, full-go but. It is unbelievable to observe. Thankfully, I get to see all of the work he places in day by day, which is admittedly cool. It is actually particular what he is doing.” — Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith
Paul Skenes: Two sub-2.00 ERA seasons earlier than turning 25
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Skenes’ ERA on the break is an NL-best 2.01. His profession mark is 1.98 over 43 begins. There’s every kind of historical past round this degree of stifling run prevention. Because it stands, Skenes joins Ed Walsh, Addie Joss and Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown with a minimum of 40 begins and a sub-2.00 profession ERA within the AL or NL. If Skenes drops his 2025 quantity beneath 2.00, he’d be the thirty first pitcher to have two or extra sub-2.00 ERA seasons of a minimum of 20 begins. Solely two of these pitchers did it by age 23: Walter Johnson and Ed Reulbach, each greater than 100 years in the past.
How he is doing it: Skenes’ strikeout fee (9.7 per 9 innings) is down 1.8 from final yr. But his FIP (an NL-best 2.41) is definitely higher due to his league-best homer fee (0.4 per 9 innings). Merely put, Skenes is studying the way to handle the pure dominance of his arsenal, revving it up when wanted. Skenes shouldn’t be precisely pitching to contact — his stuff is simply too good to not miss quite a lot of bats — however his pitch effectivity is healthier, and that is getting him deeper into video games. His type has developed, however one large factor has remained regular: No one can rating off him. — Doolittle
An All-Star’s take: “Clearly, the very first thing that stands out is his stuff, proper? And the second factor you have a look at is the composure. He is form of new to the league and simply from watching a few of his preparation, his composure on the mound, I really feel like that is what makes him profitable. He began so as to add a few new pitches to his arsenal and it is going to make him harder. He is obtained the military background, so I feel that is the place he will get quite a lot of his self-discipline and all the things from. He is difficult, however it’s enjoyable to compete towards him.” — St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan
Tarik Skubal: Prime 5 strikeout-to-walk season of all time
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Skubal has struck out 9.56 batters for each one he has walked. Solely 4 qualifying pitchers have ever completed higher: Phil Hughes (11.63, 2014), Bret Saberhagen (11.00, 1994), Cliff Lee (10.28, 2010) and Curt Schilling (9.58, 2002). The leaderboard is dominated by wild-card period pitchers, with its heightened whiff charges. However based on FanGraphs’ plus-statistics, which examine numbers to league averages, Skubal’s index of 368 ranks 18th all time. His mastery works in any period.
How he is doing it: Skubal has already had two video games this season wherein he has struck out 13 batters on fewer than 100 pitches. Merely put, his command retains him within the zone greater than any qualifying pitcher (49.7%, per FanGraphs). But it surely additionally permits him to pitch outdoors of it on his phrases. To wit: Skubal additionally leads the majors in inducing swings on pitches out of the zone (37.2%). It is a deadly mixture. — Doolittle
An All-Star’s take: “Even on sport days, he is working earlier than the sport like he is not pitching that day. Even on the off days, he is on the area doing one thing. He does a complete routine. I confronted him in spring coaching and was searching for one pitch — when that pitch got here, I did not hit it. He is aware of what hitters are searching for.” — Detroit Tigers outfielder Javier Baez
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Earlier than the 2023 season, there had been solely 4 40-homer/40-steal seasons in large league historical past, and the 40/50 membership was memberless. Now Crow-Armstrong is on a 42-homer, 46-steal tempo on the break. He may be a part of Ronald Acuna Jr. (41 homers, 73 steals in 2023) and Shohei Ohtani (54 homers, 59 steals final season) in a single or each golf equipment, giving us a three-year run of increasing membership. This one can be essentially the most beautiful of all. PCA entered the season with 10 homers, 29 steals and an 83 OPS+ in his profession. His rise has been flat-out beautiful.
How he is doing it: The steals a part of Crow-Armstrong’s sport was already there, although he is picked up the tempo in 2025, already matching his 27 steals from final season. Any time he reaches safely, he is a risk to take an additional base. That’s until he is trotting across the baggage after mashing one more homer. Crow-Armstrong is hitting the ball more durable extra usually, getting extra balls within the air and pulling it extra continuously. All of this might clarify an remoted energy uptick, however nothing actually can clarify the diploma to which PCA has lifted off. — Doolittle
An All-Star’s take: “He is a a lot better defender than me. He has a a lot better arm. He is a very full participant. I do not suppose I might have guessed he would have the ability numbers he is exhibiting this yr, however I suppose individuals would have mentioned that about me too. His capacity to drag the ball within the air has been the distinction for him, I feel. He hits the ball so exhausting, everywhere in the stadium.” — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll
Junior Caminero: 40 house runs in age-21 season
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: In his first full season within the majors, Caminero enters the All-Star break with 23 house runs within the 97 video games the Tampa Bay Rays have performed, giving him a season tempo of 38. Although he turned 22 earlier this month, Caminero is in his age-21 season, so he can be a part of Eddie Mathews (47 in 1953) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (41 in 2019) as the one gamers to achieve 40 house runs at that age.
How he is doing it: Caminero has the second-quickest bat within the majors through Statcast’s bat monitoring measurements and he makes use of that bat pace to punish fastballs. He is slugging .692 towards four-seam fastballs — and .793 towards four-seam fastballs 95-plus mph. He has obtained some assist from the Rays’ momentary house stadium, George Steinbrenner Area, hitting .316 with 14 house runs at house. That is value noting because the Rays may have a road-heavy schedule via the tip of August. — Schoenfield
An All-Star’s take: “He is a particular expertise. I imply, his bat pace’s insane. I noticed him in spring coaching [with the Rays], principally, however, yeah, he is a particular expertise. Laborious-working child. I am excited to observe him. They’re mature at-bats. He got here up, I used to be harm throughout the playoffs in ’23, and I believed he had among the most mature, calm at-bats I would seen for a younger child. Particularly to come back up within the playoffs, he did not let the scenario get too large. I feel he will be right here for a very long time, quite a lot of years.” — San Diego Padres (and former Tampa Bay Rays) reliever Jason Adam
Corbin Carroll: 40 house runs, 20 triples, 20 stolen bases
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: The third-year speedster is again within the All-Star Sport after failing to be chosen final yr, and exhibiting once more why he is one of the thrilling gamers within the majors. He has an outdoor shot at turning into the primary participant with 40 house runs, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases in the identical season. Sure, that is a little bit of statistical free-for-all, however it shows Carroll’s energy, pace and hustle. These odds have been harm when he sat out a few weeks due to a chip fracture in his left wrist, however in his first 79 video games, he had 21 house runs, 10 triples and 11 stolen bases. Even when these numbers are out of attain, he might be the third member of the 35/15/20 membership, becoming a member of Chuck Klein and Willie Mays.
How he is doing it: We talked about hustle, as a result of the triples are the important thing class right here, and Carroll is the perfect triples hitter within the majors in a very long time, hitting 10 as a rookie in 2023 and 14 in 2024, main the NL each seasons. He additionally has tweaked his swing and is hitting the ball more durable this season and hitting it extra usually within the air, so he ought to soar previous his earlier profession excessive of 25 house runs. — Schoenfield
An All-Star’s take: “There isn’t a gap, actually. It is exhausting to search out new methods to get him out. He is top-of-the-line in baseball. He is so fast and twitchy. I do not get many fastballs by him.” — San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Witt’s doubles tempo has ebbed a little bit, maybe partly as a result of among the balls that have been swelling his two-bagger column earlier have been leaving the yard of late. Nonetheless, Witt is on tempo for 53 doubles, which might be essentially the most by an American Leaguer in six years. That quantity would additionally problem Hal McRae’s franchise report of 54 doubles set in 1977. Witt’s general numbers aren’t fairly as spectacular as final season, however he stays a top-five MVP candidate within the AL. Witt hasn’t gone on a real heater but this season, however MLB pitchers beware: He has come out of the All-Star break in every of the previous two seasons and gone on an prolonged tear.
How he is doing it: Every part about Witt’s sport — sturdiness, aggressiveness, contact, swing plain, pace, house venue — suggests a participant who’s yearly going to rank close to the highest of the charts in doubles, amongst many different classes. If solely he did not hit so many triples and homers. — Doolittle
An All-Star’s take: “I am unable to get him out. It is only a powerful at-bat. And [he] performs the sport actually, actually exhausting. A number of the stars look cool and play it a little bit bit slower. Bobby is at all times enjoying the sport actually exhausting. A single is a victory towards him, however he will flip it right into a double more often than not.” — Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize
Kyle Tucker: 30 house runs, 40 stolen bases, 120 runs scored
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: With 17 house runs, 22 stolen bases and 68 runs scored, Tucker is exhibiting Cubs followers the all-around brilliance that earned him a fourth consecutive All-Star choice. That places him on tempo to affix the unique membership of 30 homers, 40 stolen bases and 120 runs — which has solely 11 members (with Bobby Bonds having completed it twice). At a minimal, Tucker would love to affix the 30/30 membership, which he simply missed in 2023 with 29 house runs and 30 stolen bases.
How he is doing it: Tucker’s profession excessive in runs scored is 97, so becoming a member of the explosive Cubs offense has helped in that division. So has transferring up within the lineup: He has largely hit second for the Cubs after usually hitting fifth for the Houston Astros (a minimum of till final season). He has been a little bit extra aggressive stealing bases to offer him a shot at 40, and does it with nice success, getting caught solely as soon as to date. — Doolittle
An All-Star’s take: “He stays in there towards lefties, is aware of the way to use the entire area. And is aware of what a strike is. He stays within the zone a very long time. I obtained fortunate this yr. It was the one sport he missed. He is one of many harder left-handed outs.” — Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore
Byron Buxton: The right stolen-base season
Essentially the most spectacular factor he may accomplish: Buxton simply hit for the cycle and — knock on wooden — he has been wholesome to date, so he is on observe for a profession excessive in lots of classes, together with his first 30-homer season. However the enjoyable quantity: He is 17-for-17 in stolen-base makes an attempt. Solely six gamers have swiped a minimum of 20 bases in a season with out getting caught, with Trea Turner’s 30-for-30 with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023 the single-season excessive.
How he is doing it: Buxton has at all times been a terrific excessive share base stealer, together with a 29-for-30 mark in 2017 and a 90% success fee in his profession, however the stunning factor about his 2025 totals is probably that he is even stealing bases in any respect, given all of the accidents in his profession. It will be straightforward for the Minnesota Twins to only shut him down on the basepaths — very similar to the Los Angeles Angels did years in the past with Mike Trout — however the 31-year-old Buxton is working greater than he has since he was 23. — Schoenfield
An All-Star’s take: “He is top-of-the-line gamers within the sport when he is wholesome and when he is enjoying on the market. I feel the most important factor I’ve seen from him is that it looks as if his inner clock is simply at a tempo this yr. It is not prefer it flashes the place he is going loopy after which he is backing off. It is constant. It is simply that constant heartbeat. It is like he is working a marathon at an insane tempo. He will run a sub-three-hour marathon or one thing. He is cruising alongside and it is simply enjoyable to observe him play.” — Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan