theScore's 2021 MLB All-Star selections

With Major League Baseball set to announce the 2021 All-Star teams later this week, theScore's MLB editors selected our own representatives for the American and National League.

Each side is made up of 20 position players and 12 pitchers, with all 30 MLB teams receiving at least one representative.

MLB will announce the All-Star starters July 1 and reserves July 4. The 2021 All-Star Game will take place July 13 at Coors Field.

American League

C - Salvador Perez, Royals

Perez leads all AL catchers in games played, homers, and RBIs. This will be the 31-year-old's seventh All-Star Game selection.

1B - Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

Vladdy has been the best hitter in baseball this season. He's an MVP candidate and could wind up being only the second player since 1967 to win the Triple Crown.

2B - Jose Altuve, Astros

Altuve's a stud again after a poor regular season in 2020. He leads AL qualified second basemen in wRC+ and runs, and he's second in OPS and offensive rating, according to FanGraphs. Marcus Semien has been incredible, but Altuve has posted similar numbers in nine fewer games.

3B - Rafael Devers, Red Sox

The 24-year-old is putting up monster numbers in his fifth year. He's on pace to set new career highs in almost every offensive category and has accrued the highest WAR among third basemen.

SS - Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox

Deciding between Bogaerts and Carlos Correa is basically a coin flip. The Red Sox star gets the nod thanks to his .330 batting average and higher OPS.

OF - Cedric Mullins, Orioles

Mullins leads all outfielders in WAR during his breakout campaign. The 26-year-old's 91 hits are second-most in the AL.

OF - Adolis Garcia, Rangers

The AL Rookie of the Year favorite has hit more homers than any outfielder in the Junior Circuit.

OF - Aaron Judge, Yankees

Judge's star power screams Midsummer Classic. And with Mike Trout and Byron Buxton sidelined with injuries, going with the Yankees slugger makes sense from a statistical and marketing standpoint.

DH/SP - Shohei Ohtani, Angels

The Japanese phenom has arguably been the story of the year. What he's doing with his bat and arm is nothing short of remarkable. What remains to be seen is if he'll hit and pitch in the All-Star Game, or if the Angels will want him to play it cool in an exhibition, especially with him taking part in the Home Run Derby.

* - WAR only as a hitter

SP - Gerrit Cole, Yankees

At one point, Cole was the obvious choice to start for the AL. However, he's given up 16 earned runs over his last five starts, which caused his ERA to increase by almost one full run. We still like the Yankees ace, but somebody could swoop in and steal his spot if the slide continues.

Bench

National League

C - Buster Posey, Giants

Posey is enjoying a comeback year for the ages after opting out of last season due to COVID-19 concerns. His OPS is the highest it's been since his MVP season in 2012, and he's already reached double-digit homers for the first time since 2017. Posey's WAR is tops among all catchers.

1B - Max Muncy, Dodgers

The versatile Muncy leads NL hitters in walks (52) and OBP (.418) while ranking top 10 in several other categories, including WAR.

2B - Jake Cronenworth, Padres

Cronenworth leads all full-time second baseman in runs and WAR in the Senior Circuit. The 27-year-old continues to surprise after coming out of nowhere to finish as the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2020.

3B - Kris Bryant, Cubs

Bryant's actually played more games as an outfielder this year (54 across all three spots) than at third (23). But the NL outfield is crowded and he deserves to be a starter, so we're giving him the nod at the hot corner. It's been a brilliant rebound season for Bryant, who's returned to his MVP form for the surprising Cubs.

SS - Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres

One of the midseason front-runners for NL MVP, Tatis leads the NL in homers, RBIs, stolen bases, slugging, and OPS. He's a lock for this spot.

OF - Nick Castellanos, Reds

Castellanos will be an All-Star for the first time, and he deserves the starting assignment. He's having a career season, leading the NL in average (.346), hits (102), doubles (27), and total bases (179). The Reds might be sunk without him.

OF - Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves

Acuna is dominating again this year, leading the NL in runs scored while stealing 16 bases. He's hit 22 homers and 18 doubles and has improved his walk rate. The 23-year-old is one of baseball's brightest young stars.

OF - Jesse Winker, Reds

The Reds have two stellar bats in the corner outfield positions. Winker's flying a bit under the radar thanks to Castellanos' MVP-caliber campaign, but he's putting up career numbers in what's becoming quite the breakout season. There are many deserving candidates for the NL outfield spots, but Winker snags the third starting spot by ranking fourth in WAR.

SP - Jacob deGrom, Mets

Who else did you expect? DeGrom's the best pitcher in baseball, and his 2021 campaign is probably going to end up among the greatest ever for a starting pitcher. There's no NL pitcher more deserving of this honor