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National League MVP Freddie Freeman and Cy Young Award winners Shane Bieber and Trevor Bauer headline this year’s All-MLB first team.
The squad of nine hitters and seven pitchers announced Wednesday night on MLB Network is made up of players from both leagues and based on voting from fans and a panel of baseball experts.
Freeman edges out American League MVP Jose Abreu for the spot at first base. He is joined in the infield by catcher Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals, second baseman DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees and a pair of San Diego Padres — shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado.
The outfield consists of Mookie Betts of the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and NL batting champ Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals. The designated hitter is Marcell Ozuna of the Braves.
Joining Bieber and Bauer on the pitching staff are starters Yu Darvish of the Chicago Cubs, Max Fried of the Braves and Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets, plus relievers Liam Hendriks of the Oakland A’s and Nick Anderson of the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays.
Fans were allowed to vote for their choices in early November, with their selections counting for 50%. The other 50% came from a panel of media members, broadcasters, former players and other officials.
The Braves lead all MLB clubs with three first-team selections (Freeman, Ozuna, Fried), while LeMahieu, Trout and deGrom earn first-team honors for the second consecutive season.
Abreu led the second team, which also features a pair of Dodgers — shortstop Corey Seager and pitcher Clayton Kershaw — and two members of the Minnesota Twins — DH Nelson Cruz and pitcher Kenta Maeda.
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FIRST TEAM
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees*
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
3B: Manny Machado, Padres
OF: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Juan Soto, Nationals
DH: Marcell Ozuna, Braves*
SP: Shane Bieber, Indians
SP: Trevor Bauer, Reds*
SP: Yu Darvish, Cubs
SP: Max Fried, Braves
SP: Jacob deGrom, Mets
RP: Liam Hendriks, A’s*
RP: Nick Anderson, Rays
SECOND TEAM
C: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
1B: Jose Abreu, White Sox
2B: Brandon Lowe, Rays
SS: Corey Seager, Dodgers
3B: Jose Ramirez, Indians
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
OF: Michael Conforto, Mets
OF: Mike Yastrzemski, Giants
DH: Nelson Cruz, Twins*
SP: Gerrit Cole, Yankees
SP: Dinelson Lamet, Padres
SP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
SP: Kenta Maeda, Twins
SP: Huyn-jin Ryu, Blue Jays
RP: Brad Hand, Indians*
RP: Devin Williams, Brewers
*-free agent, listed with previous team