2023 All-Star Reserves
It’s finally here: the day of the MLB All-Star Game! Which means it’s time to tally up the astrological signs of the rosters, including starters, pitchers, and reserves. I know this is not technically the full rosters, because several players have been replaced due to injury. But since I have to stay one step ahead of my posting schedule, I’m only factoring in the rosters as they were announced on the Fourth of July.
Looking at just starters and pitchers, Leo maintained the slimmest of leads for the sign with most players represented. But adding reserves sends Pisces rocketing up to the top spot. The Fish’s complement of five reserve players bests all other signs, and Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia leads all American League reserves in fantasy points. The other two AL reserve Pisceses are teammates on the Blue Jays: shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr. Both National League reserves also play in the East division: Nick Castellanos of the Phillies and Jorge Soler on the Marlins.
Leo falls into a three-way tie for second place, while adding just one reserve: Luis Robert Jr. of the disappointing White Sox. Also part of that tie is Aries, who adds the highest fantasy scoring reserve of either league, in Braves first baseman Matt Olson. The lefty slugger is joined by his across-the-diamond teammate Austin Riley, and also Dodgers catcher Will Smith. I said three-way tie earlier, but that only works if you count Shohei Ohtani separately as a pitcher and a hitter for the Cancer Crabs. Their two reserves are both outfielders: Houston’s Yordan Alvarez and Baltimore’s Austin Hays.
Two signs are tied with six All-Stars each, but Taurus got there by adding just one reserve: Royals catcher Salvador Perez. Scorpio needed three reserves to get there: Padres outfielder Juan Soto, Rockies catcher Elias Diaz, and the token representative for the Oakland A’s, Brent Rooker. Next, we have three signs tied with five players each, but two of them added just one reserve: Virgo got Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, while Libra added Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Aquarius is the third sign with five All-Stars, but more than half of their representatives are reserves. Young Water Bearers catcher Adley Rutschman has rocketed the Orioles into contention, shortstop Dansby Swanson is playing his first season with the Cubs, and Whit Merrifield has continued playing both second base and outfield with the Blue Jays. Our next two signs, with four and three total All-Stars respectively, added just one reserve each. Sagittarius gets slugging Mets first baseman Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso, while Capricorn adds the Braves second baseman from Curacao, Ozzie Albies. And Gemini remains in dead last with just one All-Star to their name.
I’ll take a look at the actual final rosters (injury replacements and all) while I’m watching the MLB All-Star Game on Fox. And if I notice any big changes to the astrological standings, I’ll be sure to issue an addendum to this post.