The All-Star game returns to Atlanta for the first time in 25 years, but, of course, the Braves are having one of their worst seasons in recent memory. Still, there are a couple of players who deserve a nod and others who, at least, deserve consideration.
All Stats of 6/13 before the Braves’ series with the Rockies
Chris Sale
The Braves’ ace stumbled out of the gate, posting a 6.17 ERA through his first five starts, but Sale has returned to form since then. In his last eight starts, the veteran has only gone less than six innings once, boasting an ungodly 1.38 ERA.
On the season and among National League starters, he ranks tied for 5th in fWAR (2.2), 8th in ERA (2.79), and 5th in FIP (2.74). However, he’s arguably been the best starter since April 25th, from his fifth start on. Since that start, he ranks 2nd in fWAR (1.9) among NL starters, 2nd in ERA (1.41), and 2nd in FIP (2.29).
In the All-Star voting, fans can’t help but have a sense of recency bias, and Chris Sale has been the best starter in the league. Sale absolutely deserves to be one of the starting pitchers to represent the National League.
Ronald Acuna Jr.
The only thing that will keep Ronald Acuna Jr. out of the All-Star game is the fact that he missed the first two months of the season because there hasn’t been a better player in the National League since he’s returned.
In the period since Acuna returned to the Braves, he leads the NL in fWAR (1.3), 4th in average (.353), 4th in slugging (.647), and 4th in wRC+ (199). He would be on pace for a 10+ WAR season if he didn’t miss any time, despite a large facet of his game (stealing) missing, and that’s because Acuna has mashed six home runs in 18 games.
I honestly would be shocked if Acuna didn’t make the All-Star game. Firstly, he’s a fan favorite. Fans vote for the starters, and there aren’t many players, let alone NL right fielders, who are more popular than Ronald Acuna Jr. Secondly, he’s among his peers’ favorites too. Third, Acuna is one of the biggest faces in the game.
If the fans don’t vote him in as a starter, player ballots and the commissioner’s office, who determine bench players, will certainly put him in his team’s All-Star game. I don’t think the league would stomach seeing the All-Star game in Atlanta without the Braves’ best player representing.
Chris Sale and Ronald Acuna Jr. are about the only players that 100% deserve to get All-Star honors, but there are a few that deserve consideration and might get a nod as bench players or
Spencer Schwellenbach
The 25-year-old is coming off the best start of his career, notching his first-ever complete game in his most recent outing. Schwellnebach now owns a 3.11 ERA in 14 starts, striking out 84 batters in 89.2 innings while walking only 14. If he puts together a few more strong outings ahead of the All-Star break, I’d expect Schwellenbach to get the nod over comparable candidates because festivities are in Atlanta.
Drake Baldwin
Splitting time with Sean Murphy isn’t helping his case, even though the NL catcher position is down this year. Backup is in play if he can get out of his current slump and finish the first half strong. William Contreras and JT Realmuto are uncharacteristically struggling, but Will Smith and Hunter Goodman are probably the favorites right now.
Marcell Ozuna
We all know who the starter will be for the National League’s DH — Shohei Ohtani. Ozuna will compete with Kyle Schwarber and Seiya Suzuki for the backup role, but the Big Bear’s recent slump due to a hip injury is really hurting his chances.
—
David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
Â