AL Starters Revealed for 2019 MLB All-Star Game

The wait is over, folks.

Major League Baseball has FINALLY revealed the American League starters for the 2019 All-Star Game, most of whom were pretty much set in stone when the finalists were revealed on June 22.

Without further ado, let's meet the honor roll.

C: Gary Sanchez

Was Gary Sanchez's inclusion ever in question? The best hitting catcher in the game has responded from a lackluster, injury-prone 2018 campaign with a BANGER thus far in 2019. The Kraken has cranked 23 home runs to go with 52 RBI and a .939 OPS at the heart of the Yankees' ruthless lineup through the first half of the season.

1B: Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana stood as the only Indians player on the final ballot, and the Progressive Field faithful deserved at least one member from the Tribe in the starting lineup ahead of hosting the Midsummer Classic. Santana has earned this first-time nod with impressive statline -- .290 average, 18 home runs, 44 RBI, and .951 OPS -- that speaks for itself.

2B: DJ LeMahieu

If Mike Trout wasn't having one of the best seasons of his Hall of Fame career, then LeMahieu would have to be considered a surprising front-runner for AL MVP. The Yankee infielder leads the American League in batting average, as well as average with runners in scoring position on top of recording 101 hits and driving in 54 runs.

3B: Alex Bregman

An absolute dog fight with the Royals Hunter Dozier sees Bregman making his second consecutive ASG. The Astros third baseman, always reliable in the field, is contributing in a BIG way on offense, clubbing over 20 home runs with 52 RBI, 54 runs scored, and .934 OPS to date.

SS: Jorge Polanco

The 25-year-old Jorge Polanco has literally burst onto the scene out of nowhere this season. He's among the top guys in the AL in batting average (.321) and has notched 99 hits, and scoring 50 runs. Just like the Twins, Polanco's brilliance has flown considerably under the radar through the first half of 2019.

OF: Mike Trout

Though his Angels are irrelevant in the current playoff picture, the best player in the game is well on his way to wining his third AL MVP Award. Mike Trout's 5.2 WAR, .461 OBP, and .620 slugging is simply mind-boggling. More of the same from the reincarnation of Mickey Mantle.

OF: George Springer

George Springer was genuinely giving Trout (and LeMahieu) a run for their money in the MVP discussion prior to missing 30 games with a hamstring injury. Well, he's back and doing what he does best -- assuming his position as one of baseball's best lead-off hitters. His 1.046 OPS is alarmingly spectacular at the top of Houston's order.

OF: Michael Brantley

Sorry, Boston, no Mookie Betts in the starting line up this season. Michael Brantley has returned from a lost 2018 season with a vengeance, nearly topping the AL in batting at .317, tallying 96 hits, and driving in 43 runs in the middle of Houston's lineup.

DH: Hunter Pence

Another Boston "snub." Sorry, J.D. Martinez. This was Hunter Pence's contest from the very start. Pence has turned back the clock to enjoy a superb first half of 2019, batting .294, scoring 44 runs, driving in another 48, and clamoring together a .962 OPS. It stands as the 36-year-old vet's first appearance in the ASG since 2014, back when he was in his third year (of seven) with San Francisco.