Why Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski is unlikely to play in the All-Star Game
Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski probably won’t pitch in the All-Star Game despite having a great season, and here’s why
They shouldn’t book a trip to Cancun for an All-Star vacation just yet.
At the same time, the many overeligible players who missed out on selection to American League and National League All-Star teams when rosters are announced on Saturday, July 4, should not have to sit out a waiting game.
But that’s the world of Major League Baseball. Limited roster spots and occasional disruptions due to fan and player voting could mean players who should be competing in this year’s Midsummer Classic on July 14 in Philadelphia may not be able to participate. Of course, many players will be named as substitutes for injuries or starting pitchers.
But for now, they are a group of despised and deserved losers in the numbers game. Here’s a look at the eight players who should be playing in Philadelphia a week from now:
Zack Wheeler, RHP, Phillies
Let’s get the home run picks out of the way. Not only was Wheeler great, he came back from thoracic outlet syndrome and rib removal surgery better than ever, and he told a great story. Wheeler posted a WAR of 3.8 and a WHIP of 0.94 in 13 starts, giving up two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 starts.
It was as if his friends had put Wheeler to bed. Wheeler did not return until April 25, and has been largely untouched since then. We’re guessing Wheels isn’t too divided over this omission. He could have started the 2025 game, but chose to be ready for the second half. This time, he is scheduled to pitch next Tuesday and Sunday, but if the schedule goes well, he will be removed from consideration for addition to the roster.
Wheeler has said he will retire after 2027. His fourth All-Star selection appropriately highlighted his illustrious career, and the applause from the crowd in his hometown of Philadelphia would have been emotional.
Michael Harris II, CF, Braves
The All-Star selection show began with the Braves vs. Mets game, and Harris entered the night with a home run, three hits, and a .301 batting average and .841 OPS.
However, in fan voting, he was narrowly surpassed by Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages, and tied for six outs, which is above average for center fielders, making him one of only two center fielders in the National League. The situation is difficult for him to win the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2022, so it was a little surprising that he fell in the player vote. Granted, the Braves have five picks and will get plenty of representation. Most likely they will take 6th place.
Bryce Turan, 2B, Brewers
We named Turan president of the Victims Second Basemen Association, which also includes Cardinals rookie JJ Weatherholt and Pirates slugger Brandon Lowe among players with pressing cases. Weatherholt leads this group with a WAR of 3.8 and is tied for the lead in the major leagues with an impressive 17 outs above average.
Lowe hit 20 home runs and posted an .812 OPS. Turan has an OBP of .361 and an OPS of .813. All of this trio have a slightly stronger case than fan-selected Ozzie Albies, who should have no problem representing them. This is simply a good year for this position.
Sonny Gray, RHP, Red Sox
Miz, he’s not. Gray doesn’t even strike out a batter in one inning. This partially explains the gap between his 2.69 ERA and 3.58 independent pitching on defense. So sue him. Gray, 36, is the epitome of accuracy and has gotten even better since returning from a hamstring strain, pitching at least seven innings in each of his past three starts.
Wilson Contreras, 1B, Red Sox
Want fireworks in Philadelphia? Please invite this person.
But in reality, Contreras was a force for Boston, hitting 19 home runs, posting a .914 OPS, just behind first base picks Nick Kurtz and Ben Rice, and scoring 56 RBIs. Boston’s disappointing season probably doesn’t deserve more All-Star selections, let alone two more nominations, but Wilson is worthy of joining his younger brother William as a second All-Star.
Jonathan Aranda, 1B, Rays
You might think four All-Star selections would be enough for the Tampa Bay Rays, but the AL is that bad and the Rays are that good — 52-34, four games better than the next-best Yankees.
But it doesn’t seem right that the Rays’ batting lineup is missing the holy trinity. Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, and Aranda are strong players leading Tampa Bay, with Aranda ranking sixth in the AL with a .390 OBP and an outstanding adjusted OPS of 134.
Logan Gilbert, RHP, Mariners
Let’s talk about going to the polls and having the door slam in your face. On Saturday, Gilbert had a perfect game against Toronto, allowing a runner on first base in seven innings and lowering his ERA to 3.19. Of course, by that time player votes had long been tallied and the ink on MLB’s press releases announcing rosters was dry.
Sadly, Gilbert’s resume is looking very strong right now, trailing only All-Star Michael Wacha in innings pitched while pitching a 0.95 WHIP, second only to another All-Star, Drew Rasmussen of Tampa Bay. If your company is full of all-star players, you may be eligible to be an all-star player, too.
Nick Martinez, RHP, Rays
Hey, let’s make a 6 raise, shall we?
Once again, the winning Rays had plenty of deserving players, including Rasmussen and out-of-the-blue closer Brian Baker, who posted 23 saves and a 0.82 WHIP.
But Martinez was completely nailed, giving up two or fewer goals in his first 11 starts. Tampa Bay is 13-4 as a starter, which makes sense considering they only had one semi-blowup. With just 72 strikeouts in 100 innings, Martinez won’t crack anyone’s radar, but his journey from his debut in Texas in 2014 to a four-year detour in Japan has made him the extremely talented pitcher he is today.
