CLEVELAND — The Guardians will send two representatives to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle, as third baseman Jose Ramirez and closer Emmanuel Clase were named reserves for the American League.
But every year, much of the All-Star Game selection process focuses on who didn’t make the cut — and perhaps who should have been added to the roster.
The Guardians have one possible snub: first baseman Josh Naylor.
Now, it remains possible that Naylor could be added to the AL All-Star roster if somebody already on it either can’t play or chooses not to for whatever reason. But, barring somebody dropping out via injury or otherwise, Naylor won’t be on the field in Seattle.
All kinds of factors play a role in All-Star selections. Popularity, statistics, and rules about each team being represented can all adjust roster construction.
Was Guardians’ Josh Naylor a 2023 MLB All-Star Game snub?
Two first basemen were named to the AL Squad: Yandy Diaz and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
There’s no doubt that Diaz, formerly a Cleveland infielder, should be the starting first baseman for the AL. He’s hitting .318 with an .914 OPS, 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and he leads all AL first basemen with 2.3 fWAR.
The Guerrero Jr. vs. Naylor discussion is more interesting.
Player A: .301/.340/.475, 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, 5 stolen bases, 119 wRC+, 1.2 fWARPlayer B: .274/.347/.445, 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, 4 stolen bases, 121 wRC+, 0.5 fWAR
Player A is Naylor. Player B is Guerrero Jr.
Uniform patch: The Guardians are adding a Marathon jersey patch: See it on all 4 uniform options
It’s close, but the case can be made that Naylor has been statistically better.
Naylor’s 60 RBIs are the fourth most among all American League position players. He leads MLB with 19 go-ahead RBIs and 27 RBIs in the seventh-inning or later. That statistic can weigh heavily on opportunities, though, and it’s always useful in comparing players.
Brotherly love: Bo Naylor collected his first major league hit, and his brother Josh went nuts celebrating
But it cannot be said that Naylor hasn’t been productive for a Guardians offense that for two months was desperate for anyone to step up who wasn’t named Ramirez. In Naylor’s last 28 games, he’s hitting .402 with three home runs, 13 doubles and 28 RBIs.
Perhaps he found his stride a bit too late, but Naylor wasn’t bothered by not being selected. He never expected it anyway.
“I didn’t really have plans to do it because I knew I wouldn’t make it, so it didn’t really affect me at all,” Naylor told reporters in Chicago on Sunday. “It’d be a blessing to do it, don’t get me wrong… It’s a great opportunity, but I didn’t really think I was going to, I haven’t been good enough to make it. But it is what it is.”
Statistically, the numbers might disagree about Naylor’s performance with Naylor himself. He’s been one of the most productive hitters over the last month, and perhaps if he had another couple of weeks, he might have punched his ticket to Seattle.
Regardless, an argument for Naylor’s inclusion over Guerrero Jr. exists. Even if Naylor wouldn’t make it himself.
Triston McKenzie to go surgery-less route after UCL sprain
The Guardians encouraged Triston McKenzie to get additional opinions after he was diagnosed with a sprained UCL. The information he gathered was not enough to move him off the original path, meaning he will not be undergoing surgery for the time being.
Manager Terry Francona said Monday that McKenzie will remain shut down for about three more weeks. He’ll then pick up a baseball for the first time, which will be roughly six weeks from the original injury.
The Guardians expect McKenzie to pitch for them again in 2023, although it might not be until September. And it’ll also be with a cautious eye closely watching McKenzie as the Guardians hope he can avoid Tommy John surgery.
“[McKenzie] feels real good now about the direction he wants to go,” Francona said. “And that’s, I guess you call it the conservative way, which is non-surgical. … And generally if things go well, the amount of time you’re down is usually what it takes to get back on the mound.”
Ryan Lewis can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians Josh Naylor a 2023 MLB All-Star Game snub?