Which Phillies should be part of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game?

Which Phillies should be part of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game? originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies’ 2024 season is one for the record books. They had the best record in the game since the second week of the regular season. Several players 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

You could argue that not only is Suarez a key to getting into the squad, but he should also get the ball as a starter in the National League. So far this season, Suarez leads all NL pitchers in wins (nine), ERA (1.70), WHIP (0.80), opponents’ batting average (.167) and opponents’ OPS (.485). The opponents’ OPS mark is the lowest of any NL qualifier since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux posted .482 in 1995.

SPZack Wheeler

Not to be outdone, Suarez’s fellow ace in the rotation is in the midst of his breakout season. While leading the NL in innings pitched (80.2), Wheeler ranks in the top five in the NL in strikeouts (91), ERA (2.23), WHIP (0.97), opponents’ BA (.181) and opponents’ OPS. opponents (0.549). ).

Last night’s gem against the Brewers (7 IP, 1 ER) was Wheeler’s 10th this season, allowing two earned runs or fewer, most in the National League.

1B Bryce Harper

Amid all the hype surrounding the starting rotation early on, a typical, very good/great season from Harper went largely unnoticed. I guess the cat was out of the bag when the man won NL Player of the Month for May.

Harper is in the top five in the NL. He is tied for second in home runs (14), tied for 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 won an MVP, two Silver Sluggers, but only made the All-Star Game once? It will be twice in a matter of weeks.

3B Alec Bohm

If an All-Star Game were played during the truncated 2020 season, Bohm would likely be there. He’s back to the level he played at as a rookie four years ago, when he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and is expected to be named to his first Mid-Summer 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 (0.827). ).

PR Matt Strahm

Do you remember Opening Day? Me neither. The Phillies lost to the Braves 9-3, with the bullpen allowing all nine runs in the final three innings. Among those who pitched that day, Matt Strahm allowed two runs on three hits.

He has not allowed an earned run in the 24 games he has played 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

Just over a year ago, any team could have had Hoffman after he was released by the Twins. He is among the best relievers in the National League and could be among the Phillies’ representatives in Arlington next month.

Just like Strahm, it’s been a minute since Hoffman was touched up. In his last 22 starts, 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.