April's All-Star Team: American League

Now that the first month of the season is coming to a close, it's time to hand out the "April All-Star" nods. We did the National League April stars earlier, now it's time for the AL:

Catcher

Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

This one actually wasn't as much of a runaway as one would think. Rutschman, of course, is THE All-Star catcher for now, and the future, in the AL. He's currently hitting .294 with an .849 OPS, 4 homers and 17 RBIs. But surprisingly, Jonah Heim of the Texas Rangers made a case for himself, with an .883 OPS, 4 HR, 19 RBIs.

First Base

Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays

Ok, if this was voted on by the fans, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would surely be the starter at 1B. And remember, this is just for the month of April. But this is another battle with only a razor-thin margin. Yes, Vladdy is helping the red-hot Blue Jays with a .318 average, a .908 OPS, 5 HR and 15 RBIs. But Diaz is leading the 23-5 Rays with a .319 avg., 1.005 OPS, 7 HR and 16 RBIs. Just a slight tick better so far.

Second Base

Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers

A notoriously slow starter, Semien had a much better April this year, and is batting .275 with 5 HR, 23 RBIs and 24 runs in 28 games.

Third Base

Matt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays

He could be the leading candidate for AL MVP at this point. Chapman is off to the best start of his career. Just in time for free agency after the season. In addition to his Gold Glove defense at third, he's batting .381 with a .464 on-base and 1.144 OPS, 5 HR, and 21 RBIs.

Shortstop

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

The shortstop phenom of the future, Wander Franco, is showing his All-Star chops to start this season, but by a very, very, slight margin, Bichette edges him out, with a .316 average (to .300), 6 HR, 18 RBIs (to 5 and 17).

Outfield

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Jarred Kelenic, Seattle Mariners
Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays

Trout is back to being Trout. A .314 average, .402 on-base and 1.002 OPS with 7 HR and 18 RBIs. And nary an injury to speak of.

Kelenic is the post-hype sleeper of the year. Formerly the Mariners' top prospect, he struggled mightily in his first two years in the bigs, but is busting out big-time this season, batting .315 with a 1.003 OPS, 7 homers and 14 RBIs.

Arozarena is off to the best start of his career, batting .327 with a .972 OPS, 7 HR and a whopping 28 RBIs in 27 games.

Designated Hitter

Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros

Who else? The Astros' beast DH has 6 HR and 27 RBIs in just 21 games with a .934 OPS.

Starting Pitcher

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

He's won an MVP, now time for a Cy Young Award, perhaps? If April is any indication, that could happen this season. Ohtani is 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in just 34 innings.

Closer

Jordan Romano, Toronto Blue Jays

Not much to choose from here between Romano and Emmanuel Clase, as each have nine saves. But Clase has two blown saves to Romano's one, while the Jays' closer has a 16:4 K/BB ratio to just 8:4 for Clase. Hard to go wrong either way, however.

Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports