Dodgers News: Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, JD Martinez Named All-Star Starters, Will Smith Snubbed Again

The MLB has officially announced the starters for the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle this year, courtesy of the fan vote.

The Dodgers had four players move on to Phase 2 of voting — Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and J.D. Martinez. Here’s how they all fared:

In the first baseman category, Freeman beat out his replacement in Atlanta, Matt Olson, for the starting spot. For Freeman, it’s his seventh All-Star selection and second with the Dodgers in two years.

In the outfield category, Betts and Corbin Carroll are joining Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. as the starting outfield for the National League. For Betts, it’s his seventh selection, and third straight with the Dodgers (in Betts’ debut season with LA in 2020 there was no All-Star game).

In the designated hitter category, Martinez edged out Phillies star Bryce Harper for the nod. For Martinez, it’s his sixth career All-Star selection and an incredible achievement in his first season with the Dodgers. Martinez signed a one-year, $10 million deal to somewhat revitalize his career in Los Angeles, and a few months into the year, he’s heading to Seattle as the starting DH in the All-Star Game.

Finally, there’s the catcher category, where forever underrated Will Smith was up against Braves Sean Murphy.

Unfortunately for Smith and the Dodgers, Murphy got a majority of the vote and will be the starting catcher for the NL.

For Smith, there’s still a good chance he makes the game, as he should. However, there is a world in which Elias Diaz is the Rockies’ representative and Smith gets left off — but we’ll hope that’s not the case.

Smith is as deserving of anyone for an All-Star nod, and the disrespect has reached new heights.

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