Matt Higgins
It’s a yearly tradition when the All-Star rosters are released — everyone points to who was left off. This year there were plenty of snubs: Juan Soto, Seiya Suzuki, Joe Ryan, and Cristopher Sanchez, among others. So who shouldn’t have made the 2025 All-Star team? We take a look at the top five.
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has been on a tear since coming back from his second major ACL injury that cost him most of 2024. The Atlanta Braves right fielder is hitting .331/.450/.561 with a 182 OPS+ and nine home runs in 40 games since returning May 23. Those are great numbers, but he’s missed 49 games this season. His starting spot should’ve gone to someone who has played the full season. The fans got this one wrong.
Julio Rodriguez
Julio Rodríguez is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, but he’s been below average at the plate this season. The Seattle Mariners star has a .695 OPS and 103 OPS+, with just 11 home runs while hitting .247. Those numbers are down from his career marks of .272 average, .782 OPS and 126 OPS+.
Javier Baez
Javier Báez has been one of the top feel-good stories in baseball. He resurrected his career in his fourth season with the first-place Detroit Tigers, and because of that, the fans voted him to start for the AL squad. However, when you look at his numbers compared to other outfielders, they fall short. His .769 OPS would be tied for 17th among AL outfielders, while his 10 home runs would be tied for 19th.
MacKenzie Gore
Washington Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore is a good pitcher, ranking third in the NL in strikeouts. But there’s a strong case that Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez should’ve been chosen over Gore. Sanchez is tied for seventh in the NL in strikeouts and leads Gore in ERA (2.59 to 3.11), WHIP (1.13 to 1.20), batting average allowed (.229 to .237), ERA+ (164 to 129) and FIP (2.75 to 3.01).
Yusei Kikuchi
Because MLB requires every team be represented at the All-Star game, it can cause some worthy players to be snubbed. The Los Angeles Angels’ lone selection in pitcher Yusei Kikuchi helped push Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan out. Kikuchi is having a solid season for the surprising Angels, with a 3.02 ERA and 139 ERA+, but Ryan is having a superior year. Ryan has a better ERA (2.76) and ERA+ (152), and also tops Kikuchi in bWAR (3.9 to 3.0), strikeouts (116 to 110), FIP (3.25 to 3.86), WHIP (0.891 to 1.379) and walks (21 to 48).
