MLB Stars on the Road to History: Heading for Epic Seasons in 2025?

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game: A Look at Baseball History?

The MLB All-Star Game this year is not just a gathering of baseball’s biggest stars, but a potential window into the sport’s history. The 2025 edition marks the midpoint of some of the most impressive seasons ever seen.

Will Cal Raleigh, known as “The Big Dumper” and current Home Run Derby champion, set a new standard for hitting catchers? Will Shohei Ohtani surpass historical records for runs scored? Will Aaron Judge continue to demonstrate his power?

With the best MLB players gathered in Atlanta, we analyze 11 players who are on their way to making history. For each one, we have gathered the opinions of other All-Stars, who share their perspectives on the achievements of their teammates, as they prepare to play together at Truist Park.

Cal Raleigh: The Best Season for a Catcher?

The most impressive thing he could achieve: He already has the Home Run Derby champion title. With 38 home runs in 96 games, Raleigh is on track to reach 64, which would break Aaron Judge’s American League record (62 in 2022). In addition, he could break other important records.

• Most home runs for a switch hitter (Mickey Mantle, 54).
• Most home runs for a catcher (Salvador Pérez, 48).
• Most multi-home run games in a season (Raleigh has eight, the record is 11).
• Highest WAR (Wins Above Replacement) for a catcher in a season (Mike Piazza with 8.7 bWAR, Raleigh is on pace for 8.4; Buster Posey with 9.8 fWAR, Raleigh is on pace for 10.4).

In other words, he could be having the best season in history for a receiver. How he’s doing it: Raleigh has always been more effective against right-handed pitchers, but in 2025 he has demonstrated absolute dominance against lefties, with a .337/.385/.861 average and 16 home runs in just 101 at-bats. In addition, he has improved significantly against fastballs. From 2022 to 2024, he batted .418 against pitches of 93 mph or more; this year, his slugging percentage is .664.

It’s incredible. He’s having an incredible year and it’s amazing that he’s doing it from behind the plate. What he’s doing is incredible. It’s hard to describe. It’s incredible to watch.

Hunter Goodman, catcher for the Colorado Rockies

Aaron Judge: More Total Bases Since the Great Depression?

The most impressive thing he could achieve: Although he had a discreet closing against the Chicago Cubs, Judge is on track to record 435 total bases this season. We could mention a dozen categories in which Judge is showing a historic pace, but this classic metric is enough. The record is held by Babe Ruth (457 in 1921), so Judge would have to pick up the pace. However, 435 would be an epic figure. The last player to reach that number was Jimmie Foxx in 1932. How he’s doing it: Judge has adopted a more aggressive approach at the plate without sacrificing contact or power. In addition, he’s batting an astonishing .425 when he connects with the ball, which drives his batting average to .355, the highest in MLB. If Judge maintains this average, it would be the third highest in history, directly affecting his total bases count. Judge’s intentional walks (41) also influence. He would be the fourth player to surpass 40.

This year started off very well, which it usually doesn’t do. And now we see it. He always finishes strong. I don’t know how many home runs he’ll finish with. Hopefully he hits 70. It would be incredible.

Carlos Rodon, left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees

Shohei Ohtani: A Run a Game Career?

Most impressive things he could achieve: Although his pace has slowed a bit in recent weeks, Ohtani has scored 89 runs in 94 games, giving him the possibility of scoring a run per game. He was on pace for 160 runs, something only Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig have achieved since 1900. He is still on pace for 150 runs, something only Ted Williams and Jeff Bagwell have achieved since World War II. The last player with more runs scored than games played, with at least 100 games played, was Rickey Henderson in 1985 (146 runs in 143 games). In addition, there is the possibility of a second consecutive season of 50 home runs and a fourth MVP award. How he’s doing it: Being a leading hitter with power helps, as Ohtani leads the National League in plate appearances and home runs. In the first three months, Ohtani had a great trio batting behind him in Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, but his pace of runs scored has decreased in July, as he has batted only .175, and Betts and Freeman have also had a slump.

As his teammate and competitor, seeing what he does on both sides of the field is incredible. The amount of power he has as a hitter. He already has more than 30 home runs at the break. He’s batting .300 or whatever. And yes, he goes out to the mound and throws 102, striking everyone out. And these are his rehab games. He’s not even fully recovered. It’s incredible to watch. Fortunately, I get to see all the work he does every day, which is really cool. What he’s doing is really special.

Will Smith, catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Paul Skenes: Two Seasons with ERA Below 2.00 Before Turning 25

The most impressive thing he could achieve: Skenes’ ERA at the break is 2.01, the best in the National League. His career mark is 1.98 in 43 starts. If Skenes lowers his 2025 number below 2.00, he would be the 31st pitcher to have two or more seasons with an ERA below 2.00 with at least 20 starts. Only two of those pitchers achieved it at age 23: Walter Johnson and Ed Reulbach, both over 100 years ago. How he’s doing it: Skenes’ strikeout rate (9.7 per nine innings) is down 1.8 from last year. However, his FIP (2.41, best in the National League) is even better due to his home run rate (0.4 per nine innings), also the best in the league. Simply put, Skenes is learning to manage the dominance of his arsenal, intensifying it when necessary. His style has evolved, but something has remained constant: nobody can score against him.

Obviously, the first thing that stands out is his material, right? And the second thing you see is composure. He’s new to the league and, just by seeing his preparation, his composure on the mound, I feel like that’s what makes him successful. He started adding a couple of new pitches to his arsenal and that will make him tougher. He has a military background, so I think that’s where he gets a lot of his discipline and everything. It’s a challenge, but it’s fun to compete against him.

Brendan Donovan, infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals

Tarik Skubal: Season with the Best Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio in History

The most impressive thing he could achieve: Skubal has struck out 9.56 batters for every walk he’s given up. Only four qualified pitchers have done better: Phil Hughes (11.63, 2014), Bret Saberhagen (11.00, 1994), Cliff Lee (10.28, 2010), and Curt Schilling (9.58, 2002). His dominance works in any era. How he’s doing it: Skubal has already had two games this season in which he’s struck out 13 batters in under 100 pitches. His control keeps him in the zone more than any qualified pitcher (49.7%, according to FanGraphs). But it also allows him to throw outside of it on his own terms. Skubal also leads the majors in inducing swings on pitches outside the zone (37.2%). It’s a lethal combination.

Even on game days, he works before the game as if he weren’t going to pitch that day. Even on off days, he’s on the field doing something. He has a whole routine. I faced him in spring training and was looking for a pitch; when that pitch came, I didn’t hit it. He knows what the hitters are looking for.

Javier Baez, outfielder for the Detroit Tigers

Pete Crow-Armstrong: 40 Home Runs and 50 Stolen Bases

The most impressive thing he could achieve: Before the 2023 season, there had only been four 40-home run/40-stolen base seasons in Major League history, and the 40/50 club had no members. Now, Crow-Armstrong is on pace for 42 home runs and 46 stolen bases. He could join Ronald Acuña Jr. (41 home runs, 73 stolen bases in 2023) and Shohei Ohtani (54 home runs, 59 stolen bases last season) in one or both clubs, giving us a three-year run of expanding membership. His rise has been absolutely amazing. How he’s doing it: Crow-Armstrong’s stolen base prowess was already there, though he’s accelerated the pace in 2025, already matching his 27 steals from last season. Whenever he gets on safely, he’s a threat to take an extra base. Crow-Armstrong is hitting the ball harder more often, causing more balls to lift and pulling it more often. All of this could explain an isolated power surge, but nothing can truly explain the degree to which PCA has taken off.

He’s a much better defender than me. He has a much better arm. He’s a really complete player. I don’t think I would have guessed he would have the power numbers he’s showing this year, but I guess people would have said that about me too. His ability to hit the ball in the air has been the difference for him, I think. He hits the ball so hard, all over the stadium.

Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder

Junior Caminero: 40 Home Runs in His Season at 21 Years Old

The most impressive thing he could achieve: In his first full season in the majors, Caminero reaches the All-Star break with 23 home runs in the 97 games the Tampa Bay Rays have played, giving him a season pace of 38. Although he turned 22 earlier this month, Caminero is in his age-21 season, so he can join Eddie Mathews (47 in 1953) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (41 in 2019) as the only players to reach 40 home runs at that age.

How he’s doing it: Caminero has the fastest bat in the majors according to Statcast bat tracking measurements and uses that bat speed to punish fastballs. He’s batting .692 against four-seam fastballs, and .793 against four-seam fastballs of 95 mph or more. He has received some help from the Rays’ temporary stadium, George Steinbrenner Field, batting .316 with 14 home runs at home. This is worth noting since the Rays will have a heavy road schedule until the end of August.

It’s a special talent. I mean, the bat speed is insane. I saw him in spring training, basically, but yeah, it’s a special talent. Hard-working kid. I’m excited to see him. They’re mature at-bats. He came up, I got hurt during the playoffs in ’23, and I thought he had some of the most mature and calm at-bats I’d seen for a young kid. Especially to come up in the playoffs, he didn’t let the situation get too big. I think he’ll be here for a long time, many years.

Jason Adam, reliever for the San Diego Padres (and former Tampa Bay Rays)

Corbin Carroll: 40 Home Runs, 20 Triples, 20 Stolen Bases

The most impressive thing he could achieve: The third-year speedster is back in the All-Star Game after not being selected last year, and he demonstrates again why he is one of the most exciting players in the majors. He has a remote chance of becoming the first player with 40 home runs, 20 triples, and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Those odds were affected when he was out for a couple of weeks due to a hairline fracture in his left wrist, but in his first 79 games, he had 21 home runs, 10 triples, and 11 stolen bases. Even if those numbers are out of reach, he could be the third member of the 35/15/20 club, joining Chuck Klein and Willie Mays. How he’s achieving it: We mention courage, because triples are the key category here, and Carroll is the best triple hitter in the majors in a long time, connecting 10 as a rookie in 2023 and 14 in 2024, leading the National League in both seasons. He has also modified his swing and is hitting the ball harder this season and hitting it more frequently in the air, so he should surpass his previous career high of 25 home runs.

There really isn’t any hole. It’s hard to find new ways to get him out. He’s one of the best in baseball. He’s really fast and twitchy. I don’t get a lot of fastballs from him.

Logan Webb, right-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants

Bobby Witt Jr.: 60 Doubles

The most impressive thing he could achieve: Witt’s doubles pace has slowed a bit, perhaps in part because some of the balls that were inflating his doubles column earlier this year have been leaving the field lately. Still, Witt is on pace for 53 doubles, which would be the most by an American League player in six years. That number would also challenge Hal McRae’s franchise record of 54 doubles set in 1977. Witt’s overall numbers aren’t as spectacular as last season’s, but he’s still a top-five MVP candidate in the American League. Witt hasn’t had a true hot streak yet this season, but watch out, MLB pitchers: He has come out of the All-Star break in each of the last two seasons and had an extended period of success. How he’s achieving it: Everything about Witt’s game (durability, aggressiveness, contact, swing plane, speed, venue) suggests a player who will annually occupy a place near the top of the lists in doubles, among many other categories. If only he didn’t connect so many triples and home runs.

I can’t get him out. It’s a tough at-bat. And he plays the game very, very hard. Some of the stars look great and play it a little slower. Bobby always plays the game very hard. A single is a victory against him, but most of the time he’ll turn it into a double.

Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher

Kyle Tucker: 30 Home Runs, 40 Stolen Bases, 120 Runs Scored

The most impressive thing he could achieve: With 17 home runs, 22 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored, Tucker is showing Cubs fans the all-around brilliance that earned him his fourth consecutive All-Star selection. That puts him on pace to join the exclusive 30-home run, 40-stolen base, and 120-run club, which only has 11 members (with Bobby Bonds doing it twice). At a minimum, Tucker would love to join the 30/30 club, which he narrowly missed in 2023 with 29 home runs and 30 stolen bases. How he’s doing it: Tucker’s run scored record is 97, so joining the Cubs’ explosive offense has helped in that department. It has also moved him up in the lineup: He has mostly batted second for the Cubs after often batting fifth for the Houston Astros (at least until last season). He has been a bit more aggressive stealing bases to have the chance to steal 40, and he does so with great success, being caught only once so far.

He holds his own against lefties, knows how to use the whole field. And he knows what a strike is. He stays in the zone a long time. I was lucky this year. It was the only game that was lost. He’s one of the toughest lefty outs.

MacKenzie Gore, left-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals

Byron Buxton: The Perfect Stolen Base Season

The most impressive thing he could achieve: Buxton just hit for the cycle and, knock on wood, has been healthy so far, so he’s on pace for a career high in many categories, including his first 30-home run season. But the fun number: He’s 17 for 17 in stolen base attempts. Only six players have stolen at least 20 bases in a season without being caught, with Trea Turner’s 30-30 with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023 as the single-season high. How he’s doing it: Buxton has always been an excellent high-percentage base stealer, including a 29-for-30 mark in 2017 and a 90% career success rate, but the surprising thing about his 2025 totals is perhaps that he’s even stealing bases, given all the injuries in his career. It would be easy for the Minnesota Twins to simply hold him on the bases, as the Los Angeles Angels did years ago with Mike Trout, but Buxton, 31, is running more than he has since he was 23.

He’s one of the best players in the game when he’s healthy and when he’s playing. I think the biggest thing I’ve noticed from him is that it seems like his internal clock is on a rhythm this year. It’s not like he’s flashing where he’s going crazy and then backing off. It’s consistent. It’s just that constant beat. It’s like he’s running a marathon at a demented pace. He’s going to run a sub-three-hour marathon or something like that. He’s cruising and it’s fun to watch him play.

Joe Ryan, right-handed pitcher for the Minnesota Twins