American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Rob Pannier looks at the All-Star rosters for the American Association.

The American Association All-Star Game Returns

After a two-year hiatus, the American Association All-Star game returns for the 2022 season. The contest will be hosted in Chicago on July 12, and promises to be an exciting affair with 25 players for each team selected after the “Last Man In” voting was completed on Wednesday.

These are teams loaded with premier talent, and here is a look at each of the Division All-Star teams.

(NOTE: The name of the starter is bolded.)

West Division Starters and Reserves

Catcher: Deon Stafford, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Alexis Olmeda, Kansas City Monarchs

Infield: Manuel Boscan, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Drew Ward, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, David Thompson, Kansas City Monarchs, Josh Altmann, Lincoln Saltdogs, Ozzie Martinez, Sioux Falls Canaries, Leobaldo Pina, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Matt Adams, Kansas City Monarchs

Outfield: Jan Hernandez, Kansas City Monarchs, John Silviano, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Darnell Sweeney, Kansas City Monarchs, Wyatt Ulrich, Sioux Falls Canaries, Gabriel Guerrero, Kansas City Monarchs

Pitchers: Alex DuBord, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Tyler Grauer, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Matt Hartman, Kansas City Monarchs, Sebastian Kessay, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Patrick Ledet, Sioux City Explorers, Jordan Martinson, Kansas City Monarchs, Kevin McGovern, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Jameson McGrane, Kansas City Monarchs, Thomas McIlraith, Sioux City Explorers, Greg Minier, Lincoln Saltdogs, Tasker Strobel, Winnipeg Goldeyes

East Division Starters and Reserves

Catcher: Dylan Kelly, Milwaukee Milkmen, Ryan Lidge, Chicago Dogs

Infield: Gio Brusa, Lake Country DockHounds, Bryan Torres, Milwaukee Milkmen, Dylan Busby, Kane County Cougars, Mason Davis, Milwaukee Milkmen, Keon Barnum, Milwaukee Milkmen, Grant Kay, Chicago Dogs, K.C. Hobson, Chicago Dogs

Outfield: Zach Nehrir, Cleburne Railroaders, Chad Sedio, Milwaukee Milkmen, Jimmy Kerrigan, Kane County Cougars, Danny Mars, Chicago Dogs

Pitchers: Hunter Cerevenka, Cleburne Railroaders, Ryan Clark, Chicago Dogs, Jack Eisenbarger, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Harrison Francis, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Nick Garcia, Gary SouthShore RailCats, Jordan Kipper, Chicago Dogs, Alex McRae, Lake Country DockHounds, Logan Nissen, Kane County Cougars, James Reeves, Chicago Dogs, Myles Smith, Milwaukee Milkmen, Ryan Tapani, Kane County Cougars

2022 American Association All-Star Game Rosters

All-Star Game Analysis

Darnell Sweeney is listed as a starting second baseman for this contest, but Lincoln Saltdogs infielder Josh Altmann was named as a starter as well. Since Sweeney is an exceptional outfielder, look for Altmann to get the start at second base.

The headliner of this outfield is Jan Hernandez, who leads the American Association in homeruns (17) and is on pace to smash the league record set by Adam Brett Walker last season (33). However, there is a great deal of power throughout this West lineup. Five players have at least 12 home runs, and this looks to be a major advantage that the West has over the East, as they have hit 33 more homeruns than the East Division All-Stars.

The East has a lot more speed, recording 70 stolen bases to just 44 for the West. Darnell Sweeney (Kansas City) has the most stolen bases among All-Stars at 17, but the West has three players with at least 14, including Mason Davis (Milwaukee), Daniel Lingua (Gary South Shore), and Zach Nehrir (Cleburne).

All-Star games are usually about pitching, as there are usually not a lot of 13-11 games, and this is where the West has the clear edge. The collective group in the East has a 3.47 ERA, while the West has a 2.79 ERA. There is plenty of depth throughout this group, and the combination of Tasker Strobel (Winnipeg), Alex DuBord (Fargo-Moorhead) and Jameson McGrane (Kansas City) have combined for 32 saves and have been exceptional in the closing role. The leader in the East is Logan Nissen (Kane County) with six, so the West should have a big advantage from the seventh-inning on.

Who Will Get the Start?

The only thing left to decide for the All-Star game is who will be the starting pitcher for both divisions. While this has not been officially named yet, do not be surprised if it is a battle between Fargo-Moorhead left-hander Kevin McGovern and Chicago right-hander Jordan Kipper. With the All-Star game being in Chicago, it would only make sense to allow Kipper to get the starting nod. While the numbers have not been as great for McGovern as we have seen in years past, he has proven himself to be one of the top five pictures in American Association history all time and is 5-1.

Who Will Win?

The problem the East faces is that the West lineup is just stacked. It is going to be very difficult to shut this team down, even after the starters come out. Plus, any lead is going to be shut down by that West bullpen.

Take the West to win, 5-3.

By Robert Pannier