MLB Writer Predicts Dodgers Have 4 All-Stars This Season, But 1 Big Snub
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We are officially into June of the 2023 season, meaning the All-Star break is rapidly approaching. All-Star voting is already underway, and you can vote your favorite Dodgers into the game by clicking here.
The Dodgers have tons of worthy candidates for the All-Star game — as they always do — and could have upwards of half their lineup make the team with the way they're swinging the bat right now.
Over at Bleacher Report, Joel Reuter made his predictions for which Dodgers would make the team, and just as importantly, which players would be the biggest snubs.
Reuter picked super utility man Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman and 3B Max Muncy as All-Star starters, with C Will Smith as an All-Star reserve. The biggest snub, according to Reuter, was RHP Evan Phillips. Here's what he had to say about leaving Phillips off:
"After posting a 1.14 ERA and 11.0 K/9 with 19 holds in 64 appearances last season, Phillips has once again been one of baseball's best relievers. The 28-year-old has a 1.66 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 with seven saves and five holds in 22 games. There is no question he's deserving, but so are a number of other NL relievers and only so many will get a spot."
While I agree Phillips would be a big snub, I actually don't think it's the worst one he made in terms of leaving Dodgers off the list. Because as of right now, I don't see any way DH J.D. Martinez doesn't make the game.
Entering Saturday, Martinez is slashing an incredible .283/.324/.627 with 13 home runs and 40 runs batted in. He also has 14 doubles and two triples, and is sporting an incredible OPS of .951.
Reuter picked Nolan Gorman of the Cardinals and Jorge Soler of the Marlins as the designated hitters in the National League. While both are very deserving candidates right now, I think if Martinez continues this incredible hot streak he's on, there's no way he's not making his third consecutive Midsummer Classic.
