July Baseball is here! That means MLB all-star week is almost upon us, including events like the HBCU Classic, Celebrity Softball game, MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, and the All-Star game itself. With many international players represented at the Mid-Summer Classic, let’s look at the top international players who did not make the MLB all-star teams.
1. Francisco Lindor, SS, NYM / Caguas, Puerto Rico
Lindor will most likely be an injury replacement for someone like Mookie Betts, but Lindor certainly has a case in which he should have been an all-star in the initial selection of 2024. The four-time all-star with Cleveland has yet to make an all-star team since signing his mega 10-year, 341 million dollar contract after being traded to the Mets in 2021. Despite that, Lindor has flourished in Queens outside of his first year, and this year, he has an OPS of 120 in addition to a 3.0 WAR halfway through the season. With positive offensive and defensive WAR, plus tying for the lead among National League shortstops with 15 home runs, Lindor has a strong case that he should be in Texas next week.
2. Willi Castro, UTL, MIN / Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Castro has been a luxury Swiss army knife for the 51-39 Minnesota Twins, racking up innings at every position except for first base, catcher, and right field. Although he has no true position to slot in for all-star voting, Castro deserves to be at the festivities, having played every single game for the Twins this season with a slash line of .271/.357/.438, leading to a .795 OPS and 125 OPS+. The 27-year-old switch hitter leading the league in hit-by-pitches is thriving as a weapon in his second season in Minnesota.
3. Ronel Blanco, RHP, HOU / Santiago, Dominican Republic
Blanco is 8th in WAR among Starting Pitchers this season with three wins above replacement. An illegal substance suspension cost Blanco 10 games and probably an All-Star selection, but he has been exceptional in the rotation for an Astros team that struggled early on. Blanco had a late debut three years ago, and now, at 30 years old, Blanco is tied for the league lead in complete game shutouts and rocks a 2.53 ERA, an 8-3 Record, and 88 punch-uuts in 96 innings. Blanco has been the best pitcher on the Astros this season, outperforming his former all-star teammates Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez.
4. Luis Gil, RHP, NYY / Azua, Dominican Republic
Gil has cooled off as the Yankees have cooled off, but the 26-year-old flamethrowing righty in his first full major league season has been a stalwart in the Yankee starting rotation. Gil has incredible swing-and-miss stuff with 10.4 K/9, nine wins to only five losses, and a 3.27 ERA this season.
5. Cristopher Sanchez, LHP, PHI / La Romana, Dominican Republic
The starting pitcher for the Phillies has the lowest home run rate in the majors and a 2.96 ERA. Unfortunately for Sanchez, the Phillies already have seven all-stars represented at GlobeLife, two off the record for most all-stars in a season by team. In his fourth season in Philly, Sanchez has expanded on his second season as a starter with a low walk rate and 1.24 WHIP in 97.1 innings pitched.
6. Jose Miranda, 3B/1B, MIN / Manati, Puerto Rico
A second Twin on this list, Miranda has been absolutely on fire as of late! Last week, he tied the MLB record with hits in 12 straight at-bats before finally getting out on Saturday. The young corner infielder has been an everyday player at third for Minnesota since returning to 100% health, accumulating a .908 OPS, which is good for second in the American League among players with at least 200 at-bats. Miranda has played exceptionally, giving him an everyday spot even with the return of the electric Royce Lewis and a big season by the ageless wonder Carlos Santana at the corners.
7. Anthony Santander, RF, BAL / Margarita, Venezuela
The AL East-leading Orioles and their fans could complain about only having three representatives at this year’s all-star festivities. Santander is tied for fourth in the majors with 23 home runs and fosters a .803 OPS with 57 runs batted in. The veteran corner outfielder has spent his 8-year career in the majors with Baltimore and has yet to make an all-star team despite having an above-league average of 112 OPS+.
8. Seiya Suzuki, RF, CHC / Arakawa, Japan
The Cubs have struggled, no doubt, but Shota Imanaga is not the only worthy representative from the friendly confines. Suzuki has been a great bat with 12 home runs and a .787 OPS, consistently hitting in the heart of the Cubs lineup. Suzuki was a five-time all-star in the NPB for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp before signing a five-year contract worth 85 million dollars with the Cubs in March 2022.
9. Carlos Estevez, RHP, LAA / Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The experienced bullpen arm was an all-star in his first year for the Angels last year and had a great case to go back-to-back. Estevez finished with 31 saves and a 3.90 ERA last season. This year, the righty has a 2.89 ERA and 16 saves at the near halfway point.
10. Elias Diaz, C, COL / Maracaibo, Venezuela
The Rockie is fourth among NL catchers in at-bats and has a terrific slash line of .304/.350/.432 this season. Last year’s all-star game MVP, Diaz, is continuing to put up great production with a .782 OPs and 113 OPS+ at the league-wide worst offensive position. Look for the 33-year-old Venezuelan to be moved to a contender by the MLB trade deadline.
Photo Credit: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets puts his bats in the bat rack before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 7, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
