Philadelphia Phillies players erupted in frustration after MLB announced that Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski would be added to the National League All-Star roster as a replacement player. The decision has sparked heated debate about whether merit still matters in baseball’s premier showcase event.
The Controversial Pick
Misiorowski, who has made just five starts for Milwaukee, will replace Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd on the NL roster. While the 6-foot-7 right-hander has been impressive—posting a 4-1 record with a 2.83 ERA—his five career games are the fewest of any All-Star in baseball history.
Phillies Players Sound Off
The Phillies didn’t hold back their criticism. “What a joke,” shortstop Trea Turner told The Athletic. “That’s f—ing terrible.”
Outfielder Nick Castellanos was equally blunt: “It’s turning into the Savannah Bananas,” he said, referencing the entertainment-focused exhibition team.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto expressed disappointment while defending his teammates: “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But [Suarez and Sanchez] are deserving of being on the team in the first place.”
The Snubbed Phillies
The Phillies’ frustration centers around two of their own pitchers: Ranger Suarez (1.94 ERA, lowest in NL among qualified starters) and Cristopher Sanchez (2.59 ERA, fourth-lowest among qualified starters with 4.1 WAR).
Marketing Over Merit?
The players see this selection as emblematic of a broader shift in MLB’s priorities. “Major League Baseball is really just focusing on the most marketable players,” Castellanos said. “It’s whoever sells the most tickets or has been put on social media the most.”
Turner was even more direct: “It’s not the All-Star Game in the sense that the best players go there, or people who have had the best season.”
The controversy highlights a growing tension in modern baseball between rewarding sustained excellence and chasing viral moments for entertainment value. What are your thoughts? Do the Phillies have a point here or is this a shift in MLB priorities?
Leave a Reply