The calendar is creeping toward June, which means one of baseball’s great traditions is about to return: All-Star voting. Phase 1 of the voting process will open soon, with fans once again choosing nine offensive players to represent each league. For the Twins, this year’s squad features a solid mix of emerging contributors and established stars. While some names are more familiar than others, multiple Twins players have made convincing cases to represent the American League this July.

Here’s a breakdown of the top five Twins candidates for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, ranked from unlikely long shot to likely lock.

5. Harrison Bader – Left Field
On the surface, Harrison Bader may not scream “All-Star” to casual fans scrolling through the ballot. However, anyone watching Twins games closely knows how valuable he has been to this team. Tied with Byron Buxton for the highest rWAR on the roster, Bader has been a steadying force in the outfield. Much of his value has come on the defensive side, where he has played in left and center field and has arguably been the most consistent defensive player on the team.

That said, the reality of All-Star voting is that offense still carries more weight, and that’s where Bader may fall short. He has posted a career-high 122 OPS+ with 11 extra-base hits in 46 games. With so many offensively gifted outfielders in the American League, however, Bader’s chance at an All-Star nod may come only if injury replacements or late roster shuffling occurs.

4. Jhoan Duran – Relief Pitcher
Closers often feel like wild cards when it comes to All-Star selections. It’s no secret that Duran possesses one of baseball’s most electric arms, and that can force the issue when it comes to a one-game showcase. He’s the kind of pitcher who could go viral with a single pitch. More importantly, he’s posting the kind of numbers that make him a legit All-Star candidate: a sub-1.50 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings.

Unlike offensive players, pitchers aren’t selected by fan vote, with managers and players handling that job. That works in Duran’s favor. Although there may be more recognizable names in the closer pool, few have been as dominant or exciting. If he keeps this up through June, it’ll be tough to keep him off the AL roster.

3. Pablo López – Starting Pitcher
There’s something to be said for reliability and track record, and Pablo López has both in spades. An All-Star in the past, López has quietly built one of his best seasons yet, with a career-best 2.31 ERA, 177 ERA+, and a 4.4% walk rate. Advanced metrics also support his performance, as he ranks in the 90th percentile or better in Pitching Run Value, Hard Hit%, and BB%.

While the casual fan may overlook him in favor of flashier names, López has been a stabilizing force in Minnesota’s rotation. And with the AL All-Star staff needing multiple arms to ensure that no one is overworked during the exhibition game, López’s consistency and experience make him a prime candidate to return to the midsummer stage.

2. Joe Ryan – Starting Pitcher
If we’re talking about current form, few pitchers in the American League have been as dominant as Joe Ryan in 2025. After an up-and-down 2024, Ryan came into this season with something to prove. His fastball is one of baseball’s most valuable pitches, and this has helped his other pitches play up. Ryan’s strikeout and walk rates are sparkling. He also has some of the surface-level numbers (2.57 ERA, 53 innings pitched in 11 games, even 5 wins) that coaches and players will consider when voting.

Unfortunately, fans don’t get to vote on pitchers; that would make Ryan a frontrunner. If the All-Star Game were held today, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Ryan to be in consideration for the starting nod. He’s been that good.

1. Byron Buxton – Center Field
At the top of the list is a name Twins fans know better than any. When healthy, Byron Buxton is not just an All-Star, he’s one of the most dynamic players in the entire game. After years of battling injuries, 2025 has been a renaissance for Buxton. He’s finally back in center field full-time, and the results speak for themselves. Among AL players, he has the highest WAR for center fielders, putting himself ahead of names like Cody Bellinger and Julio Rodriguez. 

The biggest question, as always, is health. If Buxton can stay on the field through June, it’s hard to imagine fans, coaches and players all leaving him off the team. He’s been the heartbeat of the 2025 Twins and might be the most entertaining player on any given night. It’s also fun to consider Buxton making an All-Star appearance in Georgia, his home state.

The Twins may not have the offensive star power of some coastal franchises, but this roster is quietly stacking up All-Star-caliber talent. With a mix of elite pitching and athletic outfield play, Minnesota should be well-represented when the Midsummer Classic rolls around. All-Star voting kicks off in early June, and if the early results hold, Twins fans might have multiple reasons to tune in to the festivities. Until then, it’s up to these five players (and maybe a surprise name or two) to keep building their resumes.

Who’s your pick for the Twins’ most deserving All-Star? Let us know in the comments below.