Red Sox with the best chance of making the 2022 All-Star game

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BOSTON, MA – MAY 29: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Fenway Park on May 29, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /

Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts

There’s been no shortage of great shortstops in the American League this season. The Astros’ Jeremy Pena is likely the AL Rookie of the Year favorite, posting a 130 OPS+ and a fantastic 2.7 WAR. The Mariners J.P Crawford hasn’t let the team’s underperformance affect him, setting career highs in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging. Then there’s Bo Bichette, Corey Seager, and Wander Franco, each underperforming a bit but entirely capable of putting together a torrid month.

Despite the deep talent at the position, the AL All-Star shortstop spot looks to be between the White Sox’s Tim Anderson and the Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts. Anderson is having another great season at the plate, currently placing third in the AL with a .356 average, and is a perfect eight-for-eight in stolen bases. Bogaerts, meanwhile, is slashing .322/.390/.485 and has the slight edge to Anderson in WAR, 2.0 to 1.9.

Anderson might get the starting nod if the first half ended today, but a groin injury that’s expected to sideline him until late June may shift the tides in Bogaerts’ favor. There’s a lot of talented players that are right on his heels, but as of right now, Bogaerts appears to have the inside track to the starting spot at the six.

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