Once thought on the verge of being released by the Detroit Tigers, Javier Baez has enjoyed a career renaissance, earning an All-Star starter selection. And by making his third mid-summer classic, he made history as well.
According to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, Baez is the first player in MLB history to start All-Star games in both the outfield and shortstop in a career.
Javy Baez will be the first player to start All-Star Games both in the outfield AND at SS in a career
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 2, 2025
In addition, Langs points out that Baez is the fourth player ever to start an All-Star game at three or more positions in a career, joining Pete Rose, Harmon Killebrew and Albert Pujols.
Javy Baez (SS, 2B, OF) will be the 4th player to start an All-Star Game at 3+ positions in his career (counting outfield as one position), joining:
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 2, 2025
Pete Rose: 1B-2B-3B-OF
Harmon Killebrew: 1B-3B-OF
Albert Pujols: 1B-OF-DH
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/clYdILRauj
Baez’s six-year, $140 million contract he signed with the Tigers ahead of the 2022 season was once thought to be a sunk cost. He played poorly the first three years of the deal, especially in 2024 when he slashed .184/.221/.294, with six home runs, a 46 OPS+ and a minus-1.1 bWAR in 80 games after his season was cut short by hip surgery.
Baez has now put that surgery behind him and is having a career resurgence in 2025. He’s hitting .285/.323/.460 with nine home runs, 13 doubles, 38 runs scored, 36 RBI, with a 120 OPS+ and 2.2 bWAR in 71 games. He’s been a key reason why the Tigers have a commanding 12.5-game lead in the American League Central.
Baez will be joined by teammates Riley Greene and Gleyber Torres as All-Star starters.
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