Which Phillies should make the 2024 MLB All-Star Game? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies’ 2024 season has been etched in the record books. They have had some of the best record in the game since the second week of the regular season. Several players have played head and shoulders above everyone else at their respective positions.
Voting for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game opens today at noon. Let’s take a look at the Phillies players who deserve All-Star consideration, in no particular order.
SP Ranger Suarez
One could argue that Suarez is not only a lock to make the roster, but he should also get the ball as a starter in the National League. So far this season, Suárez leads all National League pitchers in wins (nine), ERA (1.70), WHIP (0.80), opponents’ batting average (.167) and opponents’ OPS (. .485). That opponent’s OPS is the lowest of any NL qualifier since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux posted a .482 in 1995.
SP Zack Wheeler
Not to be outdone, Suarez’s star rotation partner is in the midst of his own breakout season. While he leads the National League in innings pitched (80.2), Wheeler ranks in the top five of the National League in strikeouts (91), ERA (2.23), WHIP (0.97), opponents’ BA (.181) and OPS of opponents (.549). ).
Last night’s gem against the Brewers (7 IP, 1 ER) was Wheeler’s 10th this season allowing two or fewer earned runs, the most in the National League.
1B Bryce Harper
Amid all the hype surrounding the starting rotation early on, a typical very good/excellent season from Harper has gone unnoticed. I guess the cat was let out of the bag when the man won the National League Player of the Month award for May.
Harper is in the top five in the National League. He is tied for second in home runs (14), third in RBI (44), third in SLG (.522) and fifth in OPS (.898).
A side note – how strange is this – Harper has been a Phillie for six seasons. He’s won an MVP, two Silver Sluggers, but he was in the All-Star Game only once? It will be twice in a matter of weeks.
3B Alec Bohm
If an All-Star Game had been played during the truncated 2020 season, Bohm likely would have been there. He is back to hitting at the level he played at as a rookie four years ago, when he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and should be named to his first Midsummer Classic.
Bohm leads all NL third basemen in batting average (.298), hits (68), RBI (49), doubles (23) and SLG (.474), and ranks second in OBP (. 353) and OPS (.827). ).
RP Matt Strahm
Do you remember opening day? Me neither. The Phillies lost to the Braves, 9-3, and the bullpen allowed all nine runs in the final three innings. Among those who pitched that day, Matt Strahm allowed two runs on three hits.
He hasn’t allowed an earned run in the 24 games he’s pitched since Opening Day. 23.2 innings, 11 hits, three walks, 33 strikeouts. Unreal. For the season, he ranks third among NL relievers in WHIP (0.71), K/BB ratio (11.33), K% (39.1), and ERA. (0.75).
PR Jeff Hoffman
A little over a year ago, any team could have had Hoffman after he was released by the Twins. He has been among the best relievers in the National League and could be among the Phillies’ representatives in Arlington next month.
Like Strahm, it’s been a minute since Hoffman was touched up. In his last 22 appearances, he has allowed just one earned run (0.42 ERA) and struck out 27 batters. Overall, he has a minuscule 1.01 ERA and 34 K in 26.2 IP.