Table of Contents
The recent selection of Jacob Misiorowski as an All-Star replacement has stirred up quite a bit of frustration within the Philadelphia Phillies’ locker room. You might wonder why a rookie from the Milwaukee Brewers, with just five starts and a total of only 25 and two-thirds innings pitched, would snag this honor.
It’s a curious situation, especially when you consider that Paul Skenes of the Pirates previously held the record with 11 appearances before making the cut. This has left many Phillies players feeling overlooked and, quite frankly, disappointed.
Players voice their frustrations
Take veteran shortstop Trea Turner, for example. He didn’t hold back his feelings, bluntly stating, “What a joke. That’s f— terrible. I mean, that’s terrible, dude.” Nick Castellanos jumped in too, making a sarcastic comparison of the situation to a circus, saying, “It’s turning into the Savannah Bananas.” It’s pretty clear he sees the absurdity in the selection process.
But the frustration isn’t just about Misiorowski’s selection. The fact that two of the Phillies’ own starters, Christopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez, were overlooked adds fuel to the fire. With ace Zack Wheeler opting out of the game, many believed it was the perfect opportunity to recognize Sánchez, especially after ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose highlighted his strong performance right after Misiorowski’s addition.
Sánchez has been impressive this season, boasting a stellar 2.59 ERA and racking up 116 strikeouts over 107 and two-thirds innings. That puts him among the top 12 pitchers in the National League. Turner echoed the sentiment when he said, “If he’s not an All-Star, then no one is.” However, the decision to leave Sánchez off the roster was partly due to his scheduled start in the Phillies’ first-half finale against the Padres—an explanation that didn’t sit well with his teammates.
J.T. Realmuto, the team’s catcher, argued against this reasoning, stating, “That shouldn’t be the case.” Kyle Schwarber, the only player from the Phillies attending the All-Star game, added his voice to the mix, insisting, “He should be named an All-Star still.” There’s a palpable sense of injustice among the players, who feel their hard work has gone unrecognized.
Suárez’s exceptional performance overlooked
Then there’s Ranger Suárez, who has had a phenomenal season with a 1.94 ERA over 83 and two-thirds innings, despite missing the first month with a back injury. Realmuto pointed out, “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But those two (Sánchez and Suárez) are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.” It’s clear the team believes their achievements deserve a spot on the All-Star roster, and they’re frustrated that the selection process doesn’t reflect that.
Interestingly, reports suggest that MLB had proposed including Sánchez and Suárez as All-Stars under specific conditions. For instance, Suárez was approached by league officials, who suggested he could join the lineup if he agreed to pitch an inning. He declined to do so, opting instead for rest ahead of the second half of the season. Schwarber commented on the absurdity of the situation, saying, “Even if you’re going to ask him that, then he should be labeled an All-Star at that point, not just if you can pitch.”
Similarly, Sánchez reportedly faced a request to make himself available for an inning after his Sunday start. While he initially declined, his agent later clarified that Sánchez was indeed willing to pitch if needed. These mixed messages have only contributed to the growing confusion and frustration surrounding the All-Star selections.
A bittersweet moment for the Phillies
As the All-Star game draws closer, the prevailing mood among the Phillies is one of disappointment. Schwarber summed it up well, saying, “It’s unfortunate. But I wish my teammates were there. We know what we have, and I think that we’re grateful for what we have.” While Misiorowski’s selection might bring some excitement, it serves as a poignant reminder for the Phillies of the talents that have been overlooked and the fierce competition within Major League Baseball.
Looking ahead, the Phillies will need to keep their focus on the field, where their collective performance will truly define their journey this season. The All-Star selections may have sparked some controversy, but what really matters is the results they deliver on the diamond as the season progresses.
