Arizona Diamondbacks projected to have 4 MLB All-Stars in 2023 All-Star Game
The 36-25 Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the biggest surprises in the 2023 MLB season.
They could get rewarded for it at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, according to an early projection.
ESPN released its early predictions for the 2023 MLB All-Star rosters for the American League and the National League and it had the Diamondbacks landing four All-Stars in the 2023 game.
It projected Zac Gallen to be the NL's starting pitcher, and had outfielders Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also making the team, in addition to pitcher Merrill Kelly.
Of Gallen, it wrote: "Gallen finished fifth in last year's vote and has been outstanding once again -- he had a stretch of four straight scoreless outings in April -- for a surprising Diamondbacks squad. Marcus Stroman would be under strong consideration here as well, with 11 quality starts out of 13 outings."
Of Carroll, it wrote: "What an exciting young player. He has been good enough to make a strong case as the third outfield starter behind Acuna and Betts. Besides the game-changing speed and potential to hit 25 home runs, I love the rapid improvement in his approach. He had 24 K's and eight walks in April and improved to 18 strikeouts and 15 walks in May. He's going to be a regular at the Midsummer Classic."
More: 'Not all that surprised:' Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll exceeding expectations
Of Gurriel Jr., it wrote: "Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy were supposed to join Carroll in the Arizona outfield with Gurriel as more of a DH option, but as the two sophomores struggled at the plate, Gurriel has been terrific, rediscovering the power that left him last year in Toronto."
Of Kelly, it wrote: "The underrated Kelly is holding batters to a .194 average."
Interestingly, only the Los Angeles Dodgers had more players in the NL projections, with the Diamondbacks' NL West rivals getting six All-Stars, according to ESPN's early picks.
The Atlanta Braves also had four players in the game, according to ESPN's projections.
The Dodgers are currently 35-26, one game behind the Diamondbacks. The Braves are 36-24, a half-game ahead of Arizona.
How many All-Stars should the Diamondbacks get in 2023? How many will Arizona get?
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: MLB All-Star Game 2023 projections: 4 Arizona Diamondbacks All-Stars?
