Last season the Minnesota Twins sent Carlos Correa to the All-Star Game. Ultimately he was injured with a second round of plantar fasciitis and didn’t participate in the festivities. Teammate Willi Castro was a worthy replacement and gave the team a pair of All-Star selections. This time around it’s just Byron Buxton who has been selected to the squad.
Joe Ryan has been a top pitcher across Major League Baseball this season and was overlooked as an inclusion. He has a 2.76 ERA after his start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Unfortunately he wasn’t named as a first time All-Star.
Buxton was always guaranteed to make the squad. Ryan should have been a lock as well but it didn’t work out that way.
Byron Buxton makes second All-Star Game for MN Twins
Byron Buxton leads the Minnesota Twins in fWAR this season and has been remarkably healthy. He deserved to be a starter, but fan-voting failed to recognize that.
It’s goofy to think we’ll watch Detroit Tigers Javier Baez in the outfield instead, but at least the Minnesota star is headed home to Atlanta.
Byron Buxton made his first All-Star Game appearance during 2022 after playing just 73 games with a .216/.293/.531 slash line.
This time around he has a .268/.333/.536 line across 52 games and is on pace to blow by his 2022 numbers.
To suggest that Buxton is worth would be putting it lightly.
The Minnesota Twins outfielder has been among the best talents across the entire sport this season, and he’s certainly kept the team afloat. He has also been healthy and there’s no reason to believe he won’t have an impact when competing in his home state.
During the 2022 All-Star Game, Buxton’s last and lone All-Star Game appearance, he went deep. This time around it could be special while competing in Georgia. He has also suggested an interest to compete in the home run derby.
Joe Ryan a MN Twins All-Star Game snub
There is no doubt that Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan should be an All-Star Game participant. After his outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday he owns a 2.76 ERA on the season and has proven to be amongst the best starting pitchers in baseball.
Instead of Ryan it appears Bryan Woo from the Seattle Mariners may have been the decision. Neither Shane Smith (White Sox) or Yusei Kikuchi (Angels) had any business being included ahead of him, but both were the lone selections for their teams.
It is still likely that Ryan gets included based on future pitching matchups. It remains to be seen if he would be available for the contest after throwing for Minnesota on Sunday.
The All-Star Game is set to take place on July 15 in Atlanta. Minnesota leaves the break with a three game series against the Colorado Rockies before facing the Los Angeles Dodgers for three games as well.
