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18 International Players Headline Rosters for 2025 MLB All-Star Game

David PolliJul 7, 20254 MIN READ
18 International Players Headline Rosters for 2025 MLB All-Star Game

The initial MLB All-Star Game roster have been announced, with 65 players from both leagues set to play in the midsummer classic. Of those 65 players, 26 are international players.

Ten different countries are represented on the roster. As expected, the United States has the most players represented with 39. The headliner of the American players is the captain for not only this year’s American League All-Star team, but also the Team USA captain for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Aaron Judge. Also included are Bobby Witt Jr, and Paul Skenes, who have both announced their plans to play for the United States in the WBC. Clayton Kershaw was selected to the team as a special commissioner’s selection to honor his long and storied career.

The Dominican Republic has the second-most players represented with 10. Ketel Marte, Jose Ramirez, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are the Dominican position players that will be starting in the game. Only two out of the 10 Dominican players selected, Freddy Peralta and Randy Rodriguez, are pitchers.

Four teams are tied with three representatives. Japan brings Yusei Kikuchi, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and National League All-Star captain Shohei Ohtani. This is Ohtani’s fifth straight All-Star selection and his teammate Yamamoto’s first. Kikuchi returns to the All-Star game for the second time in his career. His sole other appearance was in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners.

Venezuela and Puerto Rico both have three representatives and two confirmed starters. Gleyber Torres, Ronald Acuna Jr and Eugenio Suarez are the players from Venezuela, with Torres starting at second base for the AL and Acuna starting in the outfield for the NL. Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez and Edwin Diaz will represent Puerto Rico, with Lindor starting at shortstop for the NL and Javier Baez starting in the outfield for the AL. This year has been a remarkable one for Baez, as not only has he returned to form at the plate for the first time in four years, but he also becomes the fourth player ever to start in the All-Star game at three different positions. He joins Albert Pujols, Harmon Killebrew, and Pete Rose in the club, with he and Pujols being the only international players, and Baez being the first and only Puerto Rican to ever accomplish the feat.

The Mexican national team is well represented this year, as Alejandro Kirk, Andres Munoz and Jonathan Aranda are all on the AL All-Star team. All three played for Mexico in the 2023 WBC and were key contributors for a squad that defeated the United States 11-6 in group play and lost 6-5 to eventual champion Japan in the semi-finals.

Brendan Donovan was born in Wurzburg, Germany, and despite growing up in Alabama, has represented Germany internationally. He played for Germany in the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. This is his first All-Star selection and his second honor, as he won a Gold Glove in his rookie year in 2022.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the third Yankee to make the All-Star game this year, joining Judge and Max Fried, and the only player from the Bahamas to ever be selected to the All-Star Game. This is his second appearance and first since 2022. Due to the Bahamas’ status as a Commonwealth realm, Chisholm has played for Great Britain baseball in the 2017 WBC qualifiers. He attempted to play in the 2023 WBC, but the Marlins did not allow him to do so.

Aroldis Chapman was part of the Cuba national team at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2009 World Baseball Classic. It was at the 2009 WBC that Chapman defected from Cuba, and eventually signed a six-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds worth $30.25 million six months later. Chapman is in his sixteenth MLB season and has now been named an All-Star eight times.

One of the most shocking team declarations of 2017 was when Freddie Freeman decided to play for Canada at the 2017 WBC. Freeman played for team USA at the 2005 World Youth Baseball Championship, but has played for Canada at the WBC in 2017 and 2023. Canada has qualified for the 2026 WBC, so fans likely will see Freeman in red once again.

With 40% of this year’s All-Stars, as of now, being International, this year’s All-Star weekend will be one loaded with foreign star power.

WBN MLB: /news/category/mlb

Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani reacts while walking towards the dugout after the Dodgers defeat the White Sox in a baseball game, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

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