Elly De La Cruz has become the Cincinnati Reds’ most recognizable player, but his statistics raise questions about his placement in this year’s NL All-Star roster. Despite not having the most compelling All-Star credentials among the Reds, De La Cruz might still secure a spot on the Midseason Classic roster due to the nature of the selection process.
While De La Cruz has shown impressive speed, leading the NL in stolen bases among shortstops and ranking second in home runs and RBIs, his offensive production measured by OPS (.824) falls short of peers like Francisco Lindor, CJ Abrams, and Trea Turner. Additionally, his high strikeout count of 80 is the highest among NL shortstops. Other shortstops, particularly in the American League such as Jacob Wilson, Jeremy Peña, Bobby Witt Jr., Zach Neto, and J.P. Crawford, are having seasons statistically superior to his.
Flaws in the All-Star Selection Process Could Favor De La Cruz
The MLB All-Star selection system is complex and sometimes yields unexpected outcomes. Fans vote to determine the starters while players and the Commissioner’s Office decide on reserves and pitchers. If De La Cruz gains sufficient fan support, he could be selected as the NL starting shortstop, potentially pushing out Reds teammates TJ Friedl and Andrew Abbott, who arguably have stronger cases for All-Star inclusion.
Among the Reds this year, Abbott is arguably the most deserving for the All-Star nod, with Friedl also making a solid case. However, the rule that mandates each MLB team have at least one representative complicates the selections. If Abbott is chosen, his addition would come through player voting. However, competition from prominent pitchers like Paul Skenes, MacKenzie Gore, Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes Abbott’s inclusion uncertain, as name recognition and pitching velocity often influence selections more than statistics alone.
Friedl faces even steeper competition among NL outfielders, including Corbin Carroll, Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Juan Soto, and James Wood, as well as established players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Jung Hoo Lee, and Jackson Churio. His path to the roster is daunting under these circumstances.
De La Cruz’s Potential Role as the Reds’ Singular All-Star Representative
Should De La Cruz secure a starting spot due to fan voting, both Abbott and Friedl may miss out, as only one representative per team is guaranteed. This means De La Cruz, despite mixed merit, could be the sole Reds player at the All-Star Game. This outcome highlights the influence of market size and popularity over performance in the selection process.
Even fans who follow De La Cruz closely acknowledge he is not performing at a typical All-Star level this season, although he has improved in recent weeks. His chief competition for NL shortstop spots comes from top performers such as Lindor, Abrams, and Dansby Swanson.
Broader Context Around Reds Players and All-Star Contention
The Cincinnati Reds roster includes talent that could logically deserve All-Star recognition based on current season achievements, yet only one player may ultimately secure a berth. Abbott’s strong season and Friedl’s skill set place them in contention, but the selection system’s emphasis on fan votes and name recognition tends to favor more visible players like De La Cruz.
This dynamic demonstrates how All-Star voting is not solely a meritocracy but influenced by factors beyond pure statistics. It also reflects the commercial aspects of the event, where fan engagement and ticket sales are prioritized.
Implications of the Selection Controversy on the All-Star Game
The possibility of De La Cruz appearing in the All-Star Game despite stronger statistical candidates on his own team might fuel debate about fairness and efficacy of the current selection method. It underscores how players from smaller markets or less celebrated positions may struggle to gain recognition even when proving their impact on the field.
As the MLB midseason classic approaches, attention will turn to how fans and players allocate their votes and whether the Reds will be represented by De La Cruz or someone more statistically deserving like Abbott or Friedl. The controversy itself highlights ongoing tensions between performance metrics and popularity in professional sports honors.