Biggest 2025 MLB All-Star Game snubs
Photo Credit: David Banks/USA Today Sports
With the full MLB All-Star roster being released last weekend, let’s take a look at the biggest snubs at each position. Some are star players, and some are players who have flown under the radar but deserve to be on the field in Atlanta next week. With players getting hurt and pitchers being unavailable, there is a strong chance we will see a few of these names in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.
Catcher - Carlos Narvaez, Boston Red Sox
A pretty unanimous snub at the catcher position, Carlos Narvaez would be next in line to get a nod behind the plate for next week’s MLB All-Star Game. The 26-year-old rookie wasn’t expected to be the starter for the Red Sox, but has emerged as a key piece for the present and future in Boston. Narvaez has a .276 batting average, .435 slugging percentage, and a .787 on-base plus slugging percentage. The former New York Yankees prospect has been an elite defender in his first full season in the big leagues. He has 39 defensive assists and has caught 18 runners stealing, both league-leading marks.
Honorable Mention - Yainer Diaz, Houston Astros
While Yainer Diaz isn’t going to produce eye-popping offensive numbers, he has been a mainstay behind the plate for one of the best rotations in baseball. The Astros rank first in the majors in strikeouts (876) and walks and hits per inning pitched (1.16).
First Base - Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
Surrounded by bigger names like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, and Kyle Tucker, Michael Busch’s strong season isn’t getting enough attention. Busch has a .297 batting average with 18 home runs and 56 runs batted in. The 27-year-old is first among his position and fifth among all players in weighted runs created plus (162). Busch is also top 10 in defensive assists (51) and double plays turned (59) at first base.
Honorable Mention - Nolan Schanuel, Los Angeles Angels
Nolan Schanuel has been good at the dish for the Angels, but even better in the field. The 23-year-old first baseman leads his position in putouts (679) and double plays turned (89). Schanuel is hitting .261 with career-highs in slugging percentage (.391) and on-base plus slugging plus (111).
Second Base - Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs
The second of three Chicago Cubs players on this list, Hoerner, is the obvious choice here at second base. Hoerner is hitting .287 with a .336 on-base percentage and a .718 on-base plus slugging percentage. The 28-year-old has been one of the best fielders in baseball in 2025. Hoerner leads all second basemen in putouts (148) and is in the top three in defensive assists (207) and double plays turned (46).
Honorable Mention - Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
In a down year for the Baltimore Orioles, second baseman Jackson Holliday has been one of the few bright spots. Holliday struggled mightily in his rookie season (.189 BA), but has been one of his team’s best players during his sophomore campaign. The 21-year-old is hitting .260 with a .724 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Third Base - Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
Junior Caminero is one of two players in the top 10 in home runs this season who have not been selected for the All-Star Game. Despite his 21 home runs, the new generation of baseball values underlying numbers more these days. While Caminero’s .297 on-base percentage isn’t great, he is slugging .502 and has a .799 on-base plus slugging percentage. The 22-year-old has also been good in the field and is in the top 10 among third basemen in putouts (51) and double plays turned (13).
Honorable Mention - Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros
In his first year with the Astros, Isaac Paredes has emerged as one of the team’s most productive players. He has 19 home runs and 49 runs batted in, with a .829 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Shortstop - Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are getting the Trea Turner they were promised when they signed him to an 11-year, $300 million contract in 2022. The 32-year-old shortstop has a .299 batting average, 22 stolen bases, and a .798 on-base plus slugging percentage. Turner leads the National League with 110 hits. Despite complaints about his defense from fans and reporters in Philadelphia, Turner is quietly having one of the better defensive seasons of his career. Turner’s nine outs above average ranks fourth among shortstops in MLB and is better than the NL’s shortstop representatives, Francisco Lindor (six) and Elly De La Cruz (-3). Turner’s Fangraphs’ calculated wins above replacement (3.8) is also higher than Lindor’s and De La Cruz’s.
Honorable Mention - Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
Bo Bichette is having a bounce-back season for the AL East-leading Blue Jays. The 27-year-old has a .272 batting average with 12 home runs and 52 runs batted in.
Outfield (AL) - Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners
While Cal Raleigh is getting all the attention in Seattle, and rightly so, Randy Arozarena deserves his flowers, too. After back-to-back poor seasons, one with the Rays and one with the Seattle Mariners, Arozarena is looking like his old self, who won the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year. The 30-year-old has a .249 batting average and .801 on-base plus slugging percentage with 14 home runs and 42 runs batted in. Among left fielders, Arozarena has been one of the best defensively, ranking in the top seven in putouts (163), defensive assists (three), and double plays (one).
Honorable Mention - Cedddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox
The 24-year-old center fielder has been great at the plate, in the field, and on the basepaths for the Red Sox. Ceddanne Rafaela has a career-best .263 batting average and .770 on-base plus slugging percentage. He ranks top five among center fielders in putouts (201) and defensive assists (five).
Outfield (NL) - Juan Soto, New York Mets
Despite a slow start to his tenure with the New York Mets, the most expensive player in baseball, Juan Soto, is quickly returning to form. Soto is batting .268 with 21 home runs and 51 runs batted in. He leads the league in walks (72) and has the third-best on-base percentage (.396) in the league. Over the last month, Soto has a .318 batting average and a 1.137 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Honorable Mention - Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
With five of his teammates named to the NL All-Star team, Andy Pages was the odd man left out. Pages has a .288 batting average with 17 home runs and 58 runs batted in, the most by any Dodger.
Designated Hitter - Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs
One of the more egregious All-Star Game snubs, Suzuki leads all of baseball with 77 runs batted in. Along with Caminero, Suzuki is the only other player in the top 10 in home runs (25) not to be an All-Star. Suzuki has a .561 slugging percentage and a .880 on-base plus slugging percentage. The 27-year-old has the fourth-highest weighted runs created plus (141) in the majors.
Honorable Mention - George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer’s consistency has helped the Toronto Blue Jays get out to a three-and-a-half game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. Springer has a .276 batting average with 16 home runs and a team-leading 53 runs batted in.
Starting Pitcher - Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
Among starting pitchers not selected for the All-Star Game, Cristopher Sanchez has the best earned run average plus (164) in the league. On the season, he is 7-2 with a 2.59 earned run average and a .778 winning percentage. Sanchez has 16 consecutive starts allowing three runs or less. Across five starts in June, Sanchez allowed just seven earned runs in 34 innings pitched, posting a 1.85 earned run average. In two starts in July, he has only allowed two earned runs with a 1.29 earned run average. Sanchez, who was viewed as a snub last year before being added as a replacement, will likely find himself in Atlanta next week.
Honorable Mention - Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins
With a .276 earned run average in 17 starts, Joe Ryan was snubbed from earning his first MLB All-Star selection. His 0.89 walks plus hits per inning pitched is the third-lowest in baseball, and he has held opposing hitters to a .193 batting average.
Relief Pitcher - Carlos Estevez, Kansas City Royals
Carlos Estevez has been one of the best closers in baseball this season. In his first year with the Kansas City Royals, he has 24 saves in 27 save opportunities, boasting a 2.13 earned run average. Despite being four games under .500, the 32-year-old’s reliability has kept the Royals close to an AL Wild Card spot.
Honorable Mention - Dennis Santana, Pittsburgh Pirates
Dennis Santana has a 1.42 earned run average on a Pittsburgh Pirates team that is 16 games under .500. The eight-year MLB vet has allowed just one long ball in 38 innings pitched, striking out 28 and walking seven.
