The top MLB storylines and performers at the All-Star break

Compelling storylines and breakout stars, including a rookie for the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates (48-48), made for an entertaining first half of the MLB season. Here's a rundown of the top storylines and stars at the All-Star break:

Pirates’ Paul Skenes is better than advertised

Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is arguably the biggest story in baseball this season, solidifying himself not only as a household name but perhaps the best pitcher in the majors. Through his first 11 starts, Skenes has a 1.90 ERA, which would be the best in MLB if he qualified for the league leaderboard, with 89 strikeouts and 13 walks.

On Tuesday, the electrifying 22-year-old will start for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game — the first rookie pitcher to start the game since the Los Angeles Dodgers' Hideo Nomo in 1995.

Aaron Judge is on pace for another record-setting season …

The Yankees' slugger is on pace to shatter the American League home run record of 62, which he set in 2022. In 96 games, Judge has a major league-leading 34 homers, the most by a Yankee before the All-Star break.

His torrid pace is even more impressive when you consider Judge struggled mightily for over a month to begin the season, hitting just .209 with six homers over his first 35 games.

… but the Yankees are collapsing

Despite Judge's brilliance at the plate, as well as the offseason addition of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, the Yankees' season has been a tale of two halves thus far. New York initially looked the part of the best team in baseball, posting a 50-22 record to begin 2024. However, injuries and a lack of quality depth led the Yankees to spiral over the last month and a half.

Prior to winning their three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles this past weekend, the Yankees had lost their previous eight consecutive series. They'll limp into the All-Star break with a 58-40 record and in second in the AL East.

Meanwhile, the crosstown Mets are back from the dead

It's fair to say that the Mets and Yankees are on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Mets were 11 games under .500 on May 29 but have rebounded beyond anyone's expectations and re in sole possession of the third NL wild-card spot with a 49-46.

Since June 1, the Mets have the best record in the National League ( 25-13 ) while scoring 5.92 runs per game in that span, the most in the majors. There have been several catalysts to New York's turnaround.

However, no player is more important to the team's success than shortstop Francisco Lindor , who is batting .301 with 10 homers and 31 RBI since moving to the leadoff spot in mid-May.

The Dodgers’ injured list resembles an All-Star team

Los Angeles enters the All-Star break in first in its division with a 56-41 record, the second-best mark in the National League. While that might not be the mark many would have predicted the Dodgers to reach at this point after spending over $1B in free agency, it's a respectable first-half finish for the team, given their injuries.

In addition to having shortstop Mookie Betts and third baseman Max Muncy — key contributors to the lineup — on the injured list , Los Angeles has six starting pitchers on the shelf, including prized free-agent signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Dodgers can't afford to let last offseason's spending spree go to waste, so don't be surprised if they are one of the more aggressive suitors for Chicago White Sox LHP Garrett Crochet ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

Are the Astros the biggest threat in the American League West?

Like the Mets, the Astros experienced a sluggish start to 2024 but have dramatically turned things around. Since May 1, only the Phillies have posted a better record than Houston's 40-27 mark. After seemingly being an afterthought in the AL West race, the Astros are only one game back of the division-leading Seattle Mariners.

Considering Seattle only has a +19 run differential compared to Houston's +49 (ninth in MLB), the Mariners might need to make a big trade-deadline splash for an impact bat to fend off the Astros.

The 2024 Chicago White Sox could be one of the worst teams of all time

There wasn't much optimism surrounding the White Sox entering the season, but even the worst pessimists must be surprised by the team's 27-71 record, the worst mark in franchise history entering the All-Star break.

As pointed out by the Chicago Tribune's LaMond Pope , the White Sox have been shutout a MLB-high 12 times this season and lost 19 one-run games. Additionally, Chicago is 0-11 on Mondays this season, making them the only team in the majors without a win on that day of the week.

The White Sox's .276 winning percentage is on pace to be the 10th worst in MLB history. With a trade deadline fire sale looming, it's possible this group could go down as one of the five worst teams of all time.

Jurickson Profar’s remarkable resurgence

The 31-year-old switch hitter earned his first career All-Star selection after slashing .305/.394/.476 with 14 homers and 59 RBI for the San Diego Padres during the first half of the season. His production is stellar, but Profar's journey to becoming an All-Star was not easy, making his selection all the more admirable.

After spending parts of five lackluster seasons with the Texas Rangers, Profar — a former top-ranked prospect — bounced around the majors. Profar had a short stint with the Oakland Athletics before being traded to the Padres in 2019 and would spend the next three seasons in San Diego before signing with the Rockies in 2023.

Profar's stay in Colorado would be short-lived, as the Rockies designated him for assignment after he played in just 111 games. Subsequently, Profar rejoined the Padres on a minor league deal and played well enough in 14 MLB to earn himself a one-year contract with the team this past offseason.

Based on how he performed this season, Profar will likely cash in during free agency, perhaps signing the first multiyear pact of his career.