ATLANTA (AP) 鈥 National League All-Star manager Dave Roberts said including Milwaukee rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski on his team was 鈥渁n easy answer” despite complaints from some players over his inclusion after just five big league appearances.
“If it brings excitement, attention to our game, then I鈥檓 all about it,” Roberts said before Monday’s 色色啦 Run Derby.
鈥淚 think for me, kind of my North Star is the All-Star Game should be the game鈥檚 best players,鈥 the Los Angeles Dodgers manager added before also addressing the other side of the argument by adding 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the fans and what the fans want to see.鈥
Misiorowski has pitched in only five games, a record low for an All-Star, creating a debate between those who say the game is for the most deserving players and those who say the game is for the fans.
色色啦 Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will start at first base and bat fifth for the American League in tonight's Major League Baseball all-star game. He'll be joined on the AL team by fellow Jays teammate Alejandro Kirk, while Canadian international Freddie Freeman plays for the National League's team.
(July 14, 2025 / The Canadian Press)The 23-year-old created an instant stir when he threw a 100.5 mph fastball for his . Oh, and for good measure, he opened that debut on June 12 against St. Louis by throwing five no-hit innings before leaving with cramping in the Brewers’ 6-0 win.
The 6-foot-7 rookie is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA and has 33 strikeouts with only 12 hits allowed in 25 2/3 innings. It’s an impressive debut, but some players still believe the right-hander hasn’t been in the game long enough to merit All-Star consideration over more established players.
Philadelphia’s Trea Turner was outspoken in his criticism of the decision to add Misiorowski to the team when Phillies’ left-hander Cristopher S谩nchez, who is 8-2 with a 2.50 ERA, didn’t make the team. The Phillies also lobbied for left-hander Ranger Sua虂rez (7-3, 1.94).
鈥淲hat a joke,鈥 Turner told reporters.
Misiorowski said Monday he wasn’t offended.
鈥淭hey’re not upset with me,鈥 he said, adding he is as surprised as anyone to find himself in Atlanta for Tuesday night’s game.
鈥淭he last five weeks have been insane,鈥 Misiorowski said. 鈥淚 thought the All-Star break would be a chance to sit down and reflect. Now we’re here.鈥
Turner鈥檚 teammate, All-Star Kyle Schwarber, said Monday the attempt by Phillies players to speak up for S谩nchez and Sua虂rez 鈥渨as not an attack at Misiorowski by any means. It鈥檚 an honor for him that he鈥檚 here and it should be an honor for him. It鈥檚 not his fault that he鈥檚 only pitched five games and he got named.鈥
Schwarber said Misiorowski could be an All-Star “every year that he pitches. It鈥檚 just more of the fact of our guys were having some really good years and some pretty good every day starts and numbers. You want them to feel like they鈥檙e gonna get represented the way that they should be.鈥
Schwarber added that he would likely talk to Misiorowski during All-Star week and would tell him 鈥渉e’s doing a great job at what he’s doing and he’s going to be a perennial All-Star for years to come.鈥
Roberts said he plans to bring Misiorowski into the game as early as the fifth inning. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 going to be electric,鈥 Roberts said. 鈥淪o the fans, the media, you鈥檙e going to love it.鈥
Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, 37, is on his 11th All-Star roster, this time as a by commissioner Rob Manfred. When asked about the conflicting opinions about Misiorowski, Kershaw said 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 conflicting. I think everybody wants the best players here.鈥
San Francisco right-hander Robbie Ray, 33, said Misiorowski has 鈥渁n electric arm. He’s a special talent and I’m excited to watch him pitch.鈥
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, who is serving on Roberts’ staff and has experience selecting an All-Star roster, said there’s room for a player as inexperienced as Misiorowski to find a spot in Tuesday night’s showcase.
鈥淵ou know what? It’s an exhibition game,鈥 Snitker said. 鈥淗e’s another great talent. ... There are some guys that are very deserving. It is what it is.鈥
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