While the All-Star Game honors the best players from the season’s first half and the end-of-season awards are distributed to the top players in each league, only the All-MLB Team takes into consideration the totality of the entire season while also honoring the best players across the Major Leagues, as a whole.
The fourth annual All-MLB Team was announced Monday night at the Winter Meetings. As was the case in each of the three past editions, the 2022 team was chosen through a process in which 50% of the vote came from fans and 50% from a panel of experts.
The All-MLB Team is split into a First and Second Team, with each team featuring one selection at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and DH, as well as three outfielders (regardless of specific outfield position), five starting pitchers and two relievers. Voters were asked to consider only performance during the regular season when casting their ballots.
This year, the Astros led the way with six All-MLB selections, including four players on the First Team. The Dodgers paced all NL clubs with five All-MLB nods.
Without further ado, here’s the 2022 All-MLB Team:
FIRST TEAM
C: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
SS: Trea Turner, Dodgers
3B: Manny Machado, Padres
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
OF: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
DH: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
SP: Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
SP: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
SP: Justin Verlander, Astros
SP: Framber Valdez, Astros
SP: Alek Manoah, Blue Jays
RP: Edwin Díaz, Mets
RP: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians
SECOND TEAM
C: Will Smith, Dodgers
1B: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
2B: Andrés Giménez, Guardians
SS: Francisco Lindor, Mets
3B: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
OF: Julio Rodríguez, Mariners
OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
OF: Kyle Tucker, Astros
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
SP: Julio Urías, Dodgers
SP: Dylan Cease, White Sox
SP: Max Fried, Braves
SP: Aaron Nola, Phillies
SP: Max Scherzer, Mets
RP: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals
RP: Ryan Pressly, Astros
Here’s a closer look at the winners at each position:
CATCHER
First Team: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
Realmuto not only had a historic season offensively, but he continues to be in a class of his own when it comes to throwing out baserunners. He finished with 22 home runs and 21 stolen bases, joining Ivan Rodriguez as the only catchers in AL/NL history with a 20-20 season. Realmuto, who was a First Team selection in 2019 and a Second Team selection in ’20, also led all catchers by thwarting 30 stolen-base attempts, thanks to his MLB-leading average pop time of 1.82 seconds, according to Statcast. If all that weren’t enough, he helped keep the Phillies’ postseason hopes alive by hitting .336 with nine home runs, 32 RBIs and a 1.012 OPS over 41 games from June 26-Aug. 24 while Bryce Harper was sidelined with a broken thumb. Realmuto also earned Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards this season.
Second Team: Will Smith, Dodgers
Smith earned his first All-MLB Team nod after hitting 24 home runs with 87 RBIs for Los Angeles. The 27-year-old catcher slashed .260/.343/.465 with a 120 OPS+, all while racking up seven defensive runs saved behind the plate.
FIRST BASE
First Team: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
No surprise here, after Goldschmidt was named the National League MVP in November. The Cardinals first baseman hit .317 with 35 home runs and 115 RBIs this season, while leading all NL players in slugging percentage (.578), OPS (.981) and OPS+ (180). Along with the MVP Award and All-MLB Team honor, Goldschmidt also took home his fifth career Silver Slugger and received his seventh All-Star nod this year.
Second Team: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Freeman did not disappoint in his debut season with the Dodgers, hitting .325 with an NL-leading .407 on-base percentage, 21 home runs and 100 RBIs. He also led the Majors in hits (199) and doubles (47) on his way to finishing fourth in NL MVP voting. As if that weren't enough, the 33-year-old Freeman racked up a career-high 13 stolen bases.
SECOND BASE
First Team: Jose Altuve, Astros
Altuve earned his second career All-MLB Team honor -- but this is his first time named to the First Team. A Second Team honoree in 2019, Altuve hit .300 this season (his highest average since 2018) to go along with 28 homers and a .921 OPS (his best since ’17). The Astros second baseman also notched 18 stolen bases and scored 103 runs.
Second Team: Andrés Giménez, Guardians
Giménez earned his first All-MLB Team nod. He slashed .297/.371/.466 (.837 OPS) with 17 home runs and 20 stolen bases, all while racking up 16 defensive runs saved (second-most among MLB second basemen). Giménez also earned his first All-Star selection and Gold Glove Award this year.
SHORTSTOP
First Team: Trea Turner, Dodgers
Turner did a little bit of everything this season, compiling 21 homers, 27 stolen bases, 39 doubles and 100 RBIs while slashing .298/.343/.466. In doing so, he became just the fifth shortstop in AL/NL history with at least 20 homers, 20 steals, 35 doubles and 100 RBIs, joining Trevor Story (2018), Hanley Ramirez (2009), Alex Rodriguez (1998) and John Valentin (1995).
Second Team: Francisco Lindor, Mets
Lindor bounced back from a disappointing Mets debut in 2021 to earn his first All-MLB Team nod in '22. He hit .270 with 26 home runs and 16 stolen bases, while leading all big league shortstops with 107 RBIs.
THIRD BASE
First Team: Manny Machado, Padres
Machado, who was also named to the First Team in 2020, took home his second All-MLB Team honor in three seasons. This one comes after recording 32 home runs and 102 RBIs for the Padres en route to finishing second in NL MVP Award voting.
Second Team: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
This was arguably the toughest call at any position. Though Machado finished as the runner-up in NL MVP voting, Arenado finished third while also claiming the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards at the position. Still, Arenado's first All-MLB Team selection will come as a member of the Second Team after hitting .293 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs this season.
OUTFIELD
First Team: Aaron Judge, Yankees
Also a First Team selection in 2021, Judge received his second straight honor after hitting an AL-record 62 home runs this season. The AL MVP Award winner led all players in homers, RBIs (131), runs (133), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111), OPS+ (211) and total bases (391).
First Team: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Betts adds another honor to a 2022 collection that already featured his sixth career Gold Glove Award, fifth Silver Slugger and sixth All-Star selection. He hit a career-high 35 home runs to go along with 40 doubles, 12 stolen bases and an NL-leading 117 runs.
First Team: Mike Trout, Angels
After injuries kept Trout off the All-MLB Team for the first time in 2020, the Angels superstar is back on the First Team for the third time in four seasons. The three-time MVP was once again limited by injuries in '22, but he still managed to hit 40 home runs in just 119 games. Trout also put up a .999 OPS while earning his 10th career All-Star selection and ninth Silver Slugger Award.
Second Team: Julio Rodríguez, Mariners
Rodríguez somehow exceeded lofty expectations, hitting 28 home runs and stealing 25 bases on his way to receiving 29 of the 30 first-place votes for the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He was also named an All-Star, won a Silver Slugger Award and finished seventh in AL MVP voting in his debut season.
Second Team: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
Schwarber led the NL with a career-high 46 home runs, while also driving in 94 runs during his All-Star campaign for the Phillies. It wasn't just his bat, though -- Schwarber also swiped a career-best 10 bases despite never recording more than four steals in any of his previous seven seasons.
Second Team: Kyle Tucker, Astros
Tucker was the only player in the Majors this season with at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases. It was his second straight 30-homer season -- and he's rewarded with his second straight Second Team nod.
DESIGNATED HITTER
First Team: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Alvarez finished third in AL MVP voting after hitting .306 with 37 home runs, 97 RBIs and a 1.019 OPS this season. He was also a first-time All-Star this season and received his first career Silver Slugger Award.
Second Team: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
After being voted to the First Team as a DH and Second Team as a pitcher last season, it was the reverse for Ohtani in 2022. Offensively, the two-way superstar racked up 34 homers, 30 doubles, six triples, 95 RBIs and 11 stolen bases this season.
STARTING PITCHERS
First Team: Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
This comes as no surprise as Alcantara already claimed the NL Cy Young Award in unanimous fashion. The Marlins’ ace posted a 2.28 ERA this season while leading the Majors in innings (228 2/3) and complete games (six). Alcantara pitched at least seven innings in 22 of his 32 starts -- and completed eight frames in 14 of those outings.
First Team: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
As mentioned above, Ohtani was voted to the All-MLB Second Team as a pitcher last season, but he jumps up to the First Team following another remarkable season. Offensive accolades aside, Ohtani went 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts this season. He finished with 219 strikeouts in 166 innings on his way to finishing fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
First Team: Justin Verlander, Astros
Verlander, who was also a First Team selection in 2019, returns to the All-MLB squad after turning in one of the most remarkable pitching seasons of all time. After missing all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Verlander returned to go 18-4 with an MLB-leading 1.75 ERA -- and he did it all at age 39. Along with the All-MLB Team nod, he was rewarded with his third career Cy Young Award.
First Team: Framber Valdez, Astros
Valdez led all AL pitchers in innings (201 1/3) and complete games (three). Overall, he went 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA in 31 starts on his way to finishing fifth in AL Cy Young voting.
First Team: Alek Manoah, Blue Jays
Manoah had a breakout season for Toronto, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA over 31 starts. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out 180 batters and posted a 0.99 WHIP en route to finishing third in AL Cy Young voting.
Second Team: Julio Urías, Dodgers
Urías was voted to the Second Team for the second straight season. The southpaw went 17-7 with an NL-best 2.16 ERA in 31 starts this season on his way to finishing third in NL Cy Young voting.
Second Team: Dylan Cease, White Sox
The runner-up for the 2022 AL Cy Young Award, Cease went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA this season. He racked up 227 strikeouts in 184 innings and led all AL pitchers with a 6.4 bWAR.
Second Team: Max Fried, Braves
Fried has made the All-MLB Team in each of the past three seasons, starting with a First Team selection in 2020, followed by Second Team nods in both ’21 and ’22. The left-hander went 14-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 30 starts this season on his way to finishing as the runner-up in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Second Team: Aaron Nola, Phillies
Nola put together a strong bounce-back season, posting a 3.25 ERA over 32 starts. After putting up a 4.63 ERA last season, the veteran righty struck out 235 batters over 205 innings and finished fourth in 2022 NL Cy Young Award voting.
Second Team: Max Scherzer, Mets
Injuries limited Scherzer to just 23 starts this season, but when healthy, he was still one of the most dominant pitchers in the big leagues. The three-time Cy Young winner had a 2.29 ERA and struck out 173 batters in 145 1/3 innings. Scherzer was previously voted to the First Team in both 2019 and '21.
RELIEF PITCHERS
First Team: Edwin Díaz, Mets
Díaz was nearly untouchable this season, posting a 1.31 ERA over 61 appearances. He racked up 32 saves while striking out nearly two batters per inning (118 K's in 62 IP).
First Team: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians
Clase was every bit as dominant as Díaz, albeit without the gaudy strikeout numbers. Clase, who struck out 77 in 72 2/3 innings, finished with a 1.36 ERA while leading the Majors in saves (42), appearances (77) and games finished (67).
Second Team: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals
Helsley emerged midseason as a shutdown closer, tallying a 1.25 ERA and 19 saves over 54 appearances. The right-hander had 94 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings, all while earning his first career All-Star selection and finishing 12th in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Second Team: Ryan Pressly, Astros
Pressly was a steady presence at the back end of the best bullpen in the Majors. The veteran righty secured 33 saves while pitching to a 2.98 ERA for a Houston bullpen that posted an MLB-best 2.80 ERA.
Paul Casella is a reporter/editor for MLB.com based in Philadelphia.