Will the Phillies be in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game? Originally published on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The 2024 Phillies season has been one for the record books. They have been the best in the game since the second week of the regular season, with several players playing at their positions much better than others.
Voting for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game begins today at noon. In no particular order, here’s a look at Phillies players who deserve to be All-Star candidates.
SP Ranger Suarez
Not only is Suarez a sure bet to make the roster, but there’s an argument to be made that he should be a starter in the National League. So far this season, Suarez leads NL pitchers in wins (9), ERA (1.70), WHIP (0.80), opponents’ batting average (.167) and opponents’ OPS (.485). His opponents’ OPS is the worst of any NL pitcher since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux hit .482 in 1995.
SP Zack Wheeler
Not to be outdone, Suarez’s fellow ace Wheeler has also been outstanding this season. He leads the NL in innings pitched (80.2) and also ranks in the top five in the NL in strikeouts (91), ERA (2.23), WHIP (0.97), opponents batting average (.181) and opponents OPS (.549).
Wheeler’s outstanding performance last night against the Brewers (7 innings, 1 run) was his 10th game of the season in which he allowed 2 or fewer earned runs, tying him for the most in the National League.
1B Bryce Harper
Amid the early turmoil over the starting rotation, Harper’s typically very good/great season likely went under the radar. The secret seemed to get out when he was named the National League Player of the Month for May.
Harper ranks in the top five in the National League: tied for second in home runs (14), tied for third in RBIs (44), third in slugging percentage (.522) and fifth in OPS (.898).
As a side note, this is weird: Harper has been with the Phillies for six seasons. He’s won one MVP and two Silver Slugger Awards, but has only appeared in one All-Star Game. And he’ll be making two appearances within the space of a few weeks.
3B Alec Bohm
Had the All-Star Game been held during the shortened 2020 season, Bohm likely would have been there. He’s regained the same level of hitting prowess he had as a rookie four years ago, when he finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, and he should be selected to his first midsummer classic.
Bohm leads the NL third basemen in batting average (.298), hits (68), RBIs (49), doubles (23) and slugging percentage (.474) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.353) and OPS (.827).
RP Matt Strahm
Remember Opening Day? I don’t know. The Phillies lost to the Braves, 9-3, with all nine runs given up by relief pitchers in the final three innings. Matt Strahm was the leading pitcher that day, giving up two runs on three hits.
Since Opening Day, he has pitched 24 games and not allowed an earned run. 23.2 innings, 11 hits, 3 walks, 33 strikeouts. That’s incredible. This season, he ranks third among NL relief pitchers in WHIP (0.71), strikeout percentage (11.33), strikeout to walk ratio (39.1) and ERA (0.75).
RP Jeff Hoffman
Any team could have acquired Hoffman after he was released by the Twins a little over a year ago. He is one of the best relief pitchers in the National League and could represent the Phillies in Arlington next month.
Like Strahm, it’s been a while since Hoffman was touched down. In his past 22 appearances, he’s allowed just one run (0.42 ERA) and struck out 27. Overall, he has a mere 1.01 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.
