Every July, MLB gathers its brightest stars under one roof—and somehow still manages to leave a few lights flickering in the parking lot. For a sport obsessed with stats, milestones, and WAR comparisons, you’d think we’d have figured out how to reward actual performance over reputation or geography. Yet here we are in 2025, with ticket sales booming, rosters locked, and several elite talents watching from their couches instead of Atlanta.

Juan Soto and Julio Rodriguez may not be the kind of players you expect to be left out of anything, especially not baseball’s midsummer gala. Add a couple of elite arms and a resurgent slugger to that list, and it becomes clear: the All-Star Game may be for the fans, but the snubs are all too real.

Garrett Crochet gets replaced by Casey Mize.

Garrett Crochet was supposed to light up Atlanta with that electric left arm of his. Instead, the White Sox flamethrower will be watching the Midsummer Classic from afar, sidelined with injury just as his star was soaring. His 2025 breakout has been undeniable—he owns a 3.10 ERA with 141 strikeouts in 104.2 innings. That kind of dominance doesn’t grow on trees, and certainly not in the South Side these days.

Taking his place is Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize, whose return to form has turned heads league-wide. Mize boasts a 9–2 record with a crisp 2.63 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 85.2 innings. He’s allowed only three earned runs over his last 18.2 innings, showing true All-Star momentum. While not as overpowering as Crochet, Mize’s consistency and control have delivered undeniable value.

Crochet’s strikeout rate of 12.1 per nine innings dwarfs Mize’s more modest 7.7 K/9 figure. But Mize has excelled in run prevention and keeping hitters off balance, sporting a 1.06 WHIP compared to Crochet’s 1.07. The two are stylistic opposites—one a whiff machine, the other a contact killer—but both deserve the nod. The numbers are close, but health talks loudest, and right now, Mize is the one still answering the bell.

It’s a shame fans won’t get to see Crochet’s sizzle on the national stage this year. But Mize’s cerebral precision offers its kind of firework show—quieter, but just as sharp. Sometimes, All-Star selections come down to timing, and Mize struck at exactly the right moment. And with Detroit leading the AL Central, his emergence couldn’t have come at a better time.

Jacob deGrom gets replaced by Carlos Estevez.

Jacob deGrom may be healthy at last, but the MLB All-Star Game won’t see him. Despite earning his fifth career nod, the Texas Rangers ace won’t pitch in Atlanta due to a scheduled Saturday start. It’s a practical decision from a franchise protecting its long-fragile crown jewel. But fans hoping to see deGrom light up radar guns will have to settle for bullpen selfies.

In his place, the American League welcomes Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Estevez—one of 2025’s steadiest ninth-inning anchors. Estevez leads the AL with 25 saves in 28 chances, posting a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Opponents are hitting just .564 OPS against him in 40 innings of work. He’s turned late-inning chaos into clinical, ice-cold shutdowns for the upstart Royals.

By contrast, deGrom’s numbers—while impressive—reflect controlled exposure, not everyday dominance. He’s thrown 83 innings, compiled a 2.70 ERA, and struck out 104 batters with a 1.00 WHIP. He’s been elite when on the mound, but volume favors Estevez, who’s answered the bell more consistently. Both are All-Star worthy, but availability made the call that stats alone couldn’t.

Estevez may not match deGrom’s star power, but he’s earned this stage with ruthless efficiency. Kansas City now boasts three All-Stars, and Estevez becomes the bullpen’s unsung hero under the lights. In a year where closers often get overlooked, his reliability couldn’t be denied. Sometimes the best fireworks come not from starters, but from the silence of a locked ninth.

Alex Bregman gets replaced by Junior Caminero.

Alex Bregman earned his third All-Star selection this year, but Atlanta won’t see him play. The Red Sox third baseman is still recovering from a quad injury that has sidelined him since May 23. Though there was a sliver of hope for his return, the decision to skip the game became official. He’ll still be credited with the honor—but not with the chance to shine under the All-Star lights.

Replacing him is 22-year-old Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, making his first All-Star appearance. Caminero has mashed 21 home runs in 85 games, on pace for nearly 38 bombs. His .844 OPS and recent surge (.915 OPS since May 19) have carried Tampa back into playoff relevance. While his glove still lags, his bat speaks loud enough for both of them.

Bregman, even limited to 42 games this season, had a strong .286 average and .812 OPS. He hit 7 home runs and 26 RBI before the quad injury put him on hold. Caminero, meanwhile, leads all AL third basemen in slugging and raw power metrics this year. The future arrived fast in Tampa, and it came swinging with no intention of slowing down.

Bregman’s absence opens a door for Caminero, and the Rays rookie has kicked it down. Tampa needed a post-Arozarena breakout, and Caminero delivered with fireworks and flair. For now, Bregman watches from afar, knowing his time will come again. But this summer in Atlanta, it’s Caminero’s turn to take the stage.

Juan Soto gets snubbed for the MLB All-Star Game.

Juan Soto not being selected for the 2025 All-Star Game is nothing short of baffling. Despite being the highest-paid player in baseball and a generational bat, Soto was nowhere to be found when rosters were announced. His omission left Mets fans stunned and his teammates scratching their heads in disbelief. While Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Edwin Díaz made the trip to Atlanta, Soto stayed on the outside.

The numbers make the snub even harder to justify—Soto hit .322/.474/.722 in June alone. His 1.196 OPS led the entire league that month, along with 11 home runs. Through the season, his on-base skills have remained elite, and he had six HR and a 1.040 OPS in late May. His power surge coincided with fan voting, yet somehow less productive outfielders were chosen instead.

Critics argue that Soto’s slower start in April unfairly impacted his All-Star chances. But when you’re slugging like Babe Ruth in June, past slumps should disappear. Even Soto admitted, “It’s a lot of money on the table if I make it.” His manager, Carlos Mendoza, called him an All-Star no matter what the ballots say.

Now, there’s still hope for a last-minute redemption arc if Ronald Acuña Jr. sits out due to injury. Acuña has been nursing back tightness, though he returned midweek, leaving Soto’s status uncertain. If the call comes, Soto said he’ll “assess the situation” before deciding. But whether he joins the roster or not, the numbers say it loud—Soto was already there.

Julio Rodriguez opts out of the MLB All-Star Game.

Julio Rodriguez was selected for his third career MLB All-Star Game, but chose to opt out. The Mariners announced his withdrawal, citing rest and recovery as the main priority. Rodriguez expressed gratitude for being voted in but emphasized focusing on the season’s second half. His absence creates space for another rising star while allowing him much-needed time to reset.

Statistically, Rodriguez’s 2025 season has been a mix of flashes and frustration at the plate. Through 92 games, he’s slashing .244/.301/.386 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI. His OPS+ sits at 100, making him exactly league average offensively. However, his 3.1 WAR (via Baseball-Reference) ranks 10th among AL position players, highlighting his all-around impact.

Despite two recent errors in New York, Rodríguez has continued to impress defensively. With advanced metrics reinforcing his center field value, his defensive consistency has helped balance out that rough stretch at the plate — over his last 10 games, he’s hitting just .122 with a .358 OPS and showing visible signs of fatigue. In that context, stepping back from the All-Star spotlight could offer a much-needed reset, both physically and mentally.

For the Mariners, Rodriguez’s resting might be more beneficial than a temporary MLB All-Star showcase. With Seattle still in the playoff hunt, a refreshed Rodriguez could be crucial for a strong finish. His July performance will be closely watched, especially after going hitless in five at-bats against the Yankees. Time off during the break could sharpen the swing that carried him to stardom.

Between the rightful replacements, high-profile snubs, and last-minute opt-outs, the 2025 MLB All-Star Game feels less like a celebration of baseball’s best and more like a masterclass in timing and PR. Some stars earned it, others inherited it, and a few were simply left staring at the invitation that never came. But that’s the beauty—and the absurdity—of All-Star season. It’s not always about who’s hottest, but who’s healthy, hyped, and on a roll when the ballots close. MLB loves tradition, but sometimes it forgets logic at the ballot box.