The Philadelphia Phillies are sending two players to the 2025 All-Star Game down in Atlanta. Their two representatives are Zack Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber.
Both are incredibly deserving, but Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez also has a strong case. And Sanchez's agent, Gene Mato, posted on social media, calling out MLB for not putting Sanchez on the NL All-Star team.
"Christopher Sanchez @phillies," Mato writes, "Being left off the All-Star team is a travesty. The numbers cannot be ignored, even if he is scheduled to start on Sunday. Something has to change @MLB."
Cristopher Sanchez @phillies, being left off the All-Star team is a travesty. The numbers, cannot be ignored, even if he is scheduled to start on Sunday. Something has to change @MLB
— gene mato (@genemato) July 10, 2025
Mato has a good case for Sanchez to make the All-Star team. This season, he has a 2.59 ERA, tenth best in baseball, and better than some of the other NL All-Star pitchers who made the team.
He also has the 14th most strikeouts with 116, and the 22nd best WHIP at 1.13, both solid numbers, and good enough to earn an All-Star game nod.
In his complaint, Mato brings up that Sanchez is pitching on Sunday. For most pitchers who made the All-Star team but are pitching two days before the All-Star game, they were replaced by another pitcher on the roster.
What Mato is implying is that MLB isn't awarding Sanchez an All-Star spot in part because he is pitching on Sunday, and would need to be replaced after he replaces another pitcher on the NL roster.
While a little far-fetched, the overall complaint is valid. Sanchez deserves a spot on the All-Star team, and if his scheduled outing on Sunday is part of why he isn't getting on the team, then there's an issue.
But, regardless of the reason, Sanchez is not an All-Star, despite having the numbers to warrant his selection. He's been one of the best pitchers this season and had a case to be an All-Star for the second year in a row.
While he could still get recognition as an All-Star replacement, it doesn't seem likely at this point. Sanchez has done enough to earn an All-Star nod, and his agent is frustrated and complaining on his behalf.
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