One of the standout stories from the 2025 MLB All-Star Game is the surprising selection of Milwaukee Brewers rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski to the National League squad. However, this decision has not been well received by some Philadelphia Phillies players.
Several Phillies players have voiced their frustration with MLB and the All-Star selection process after Misiorowski was chosen over their teammates Christopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, or shortstop Trea Turner. The Phillies will only have Kyle Schwarber representing the team in Atlanta on Tuesday. The main criticism from the Phillies centers on the fact that Misiorowski was selected despite having only five starts in his young MLB career. In comparison, Sanchez has made 18 starts with an impressive 2.59 ERA, a 7-2 record, and 116 strikeouts in 107 and two-thirds innings. Suarez has also had a strong season, posting a 7-3 record, an ERA in the mid-range, and 78 strikeouts in 83 and two-thirds innings.
Both Sanchez and Suarez were reportedly offered spots on the All-Star team by MLB if they agreed to pitch, but both declined to rest, with Sanchez forfeiting a $200,000 contract bonus as a result. Phillies catcher JT Realmuto criticized the selection process, saying, “That’s how MLB does that now. Misiorowski hasn’t shown enough. Sanchez and Suarez clearly deserve to be on the team.” Nick Castellanos echoed these sentiments, describing the selection process as chaotic.
Realmuto and Castellanos implied that MLB’s choices are increasingly influenced by popularity and social media presence rather than player performance. Castellanos stated, “The All-Star Game isn’t about the best players or seasons anymore; it’s about who sells the most tickets or is most talked about on social media.”
Trea Turner has been outstanding, batting .292/.345/.437 with 111 hits (leading the NL), 18 doubles, 11 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. Although Misiorowski has a small sample size, he has been exceptional in his five starts, showcasing powerful fastballs and sliders that generate plenty of social media buzz — something that today’s fans often focus on more than the game itself.
Standing 6-foot-7, Misiorowski’s pitching advantages include a 2.81 ERA, a 4-1 record, and an average fastball speed of 99.3 mph, often exceeding 100 mph. He also throws sliders averaging 94.4 mph and changeups at 92.2 mph. His height allows him to release the ball closer to home plate, giving batters less reaction time, even if just by milliseconds.
The controversy around Misiorowski’s selection raises bigger questions about the purpose of the All-Star Game. Is it meant to promote MLB to a wider audience that might not watch many regular season games or should it focus on showcasing the best-performing players? Even within that, should it reward the best first-half performers or cater to those fans want to see?
Misiorowski’s selection is not unprecedented. Last year, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skens made the NL team and was even chosen as a starting pitcher after only 11 starts, largely because fans wanted to see him and MLB wanted to promote his talent. This approach can be beneficial for the sport by increasing fan engagement.
Fan Take: This debate hits at the heart of what the All-Star Game represents—balancing true performance with fan appeal. For baseball fans, it’s crucial that MLB continues to find ways to celebrate both emerging talent and consistent excellence to keep the sport exciting and inclusive.
