The announcement of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game rosters on Sunday in Atlanta shocked many, as New York Mets superstar Juan Soto was notably excluded despite his strong performance this season. The Dominican outfielder, who signed a historic 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets last December, has been a consistent All-Star over the past four years, yet found himself left off this year’s roster.
Soto’s numbers showed a significant turnaround after a slow start to the season, with an OPS rising from .748 through May 28 to an impressive 1.211 over his last 34 games. His slash line of .263/.396/.508, along with 21 home runs and 51 RBIs, demonstrates his considerable impact at the plate. Still, these statistics were not enough to secure him a spot in the All-Star Game this year.
The Shock of a Major All-Star Omission
Juan Soto’s absence from the National League All-Star roster stunned fans and analysts alike, given his reputation and remarkable mid-season resurgence. Despite being one of the most prominent players in baseball, Soto missed the cut as neither a starter nor a reserve. This year’s All-Star Game will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta, home stadium of the Atlanta Braves, on July 15, with the Home Run Derby scheduled for July 14.
While Soto was excluded, three of his New York Mets teammates will represent the team at the event. Francisco Lindor has been named the starting shortstop for the National League, while Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso earned reserve spots. Their selection underscores the quality of talent present on the Mets roster this year.
Social Media Erupts Over Juan Soto’s Exclusion
News of Juan Soto’s All-Star snub ignited intense reactions across social media platforms, especially on X, where fans vocally debated the decision. The four-time All-Star’s omission prompted criticism and disbelief, with some users labeling the situation a “Freaking Joke” while others criticized fan voting patterns and the broader All-Star selection process.
One fan asked incredulously,
“How the hell did he NOT make the All-Star team? Jesus. Freaking joke.”
Others expressed frustration over his missing out after ranking in the top five for outfield votes. Some acknowledged his early-season slump but emphasized the strength of his recent performances.
Conversely, dissenting opinions pointed out that Soto’s slower start this year merited the decision, with remarks such as
“He’s been awful the first two months of the season; he isn’t gonna make it just for a good three weeks of baseball.”
Another user stressed the flaws in the current voting system, advocating for changes so the best players are chosen regardless of fan popularity or team representation.
This is the problem with putting a player from every team in the all star game. The best players should be on the team and then if a team isn’t represented, their best player gets an honorary invite.— Jessica Morales (@MetsGirl333) July 6, 2025
Juan Soto Responds to His All-Star Game Exclusion
Addressing the media following a 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees, Soto remained composed despite his disappointment about missing the All-Star Game. The 26-year-old acknowledged the ups and downs of professional sports, emphasizing personal accountability for his performance.
Sometimes you’re gonna make it and sometimes you don’t. It’s just part of baseball… I’ve just got to be better.
During Sunday’s game, Soto went hitless in four plate appearances as the Mets failed to sweep their rivals, finishing the three-game series with two wins. The Mets and Yankees had similarly split their earlier meetings in May, each winning two out of three games in their first series.
Soto’s strong season metrics remain notable despite the snub. He holds the ninth highest OPS and eighth highest weighted runs created plus (wRC+) in Major League Baseball this year, sparking further debate about the selection decisions.
Juan Soto has the 9th highest OPS & the 8th highest wRC+ in Major League Baseball… and he didn’t make the All-Star team.Alright then.— Just Mets (@just_mets) July 6, 2025
The Implications of Soto’s 2025 All-Star Game Absence
Juan Soto’s omission from this year’s All-Star lineup highlights ongoing tensions regarding the criteria used for selecting MLB’s midseason showcase players. Despite his proven track record and recent improvement, Soto’s exclusion reflects fan voting dynamics and possibly the influence of his season’s earlier struggles. For the Mets, having three representatives still underlines the team’s competitive depth, yet the snub of one of its biggest stars is difficult to overlook.
As the 2025 season continues, Soto will likely aim to maintain his elevated level of play to silence critics and reassert his standing among baseball’s elite. The Mets and their fans will watch closely as the 26-year-old seeks to build on his strong finish to the first half and bolster his legacy following this contentious All-Star Game omission.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Juan Soto’s bat speed?
A. Ramos and Soto’s bat speed decreased from over 75 mph to over 73 mph. Despite this, they both remain in the top 75. Soto still maintains excellent bat speed, even after the decline. Their bat speeds are well above the league average of 71.6 mph.
Q. Why is Juan Soto so popular?
A. Soto is famous for his great ability to avoid bad pitches. By the end of the 2024 season, he ranked 5th in walk rate and 17th in career on-base percentage among players with at least 4,000 at-bats.
Q. Why is Juan Soto famous?
A. Juan Soto, born on October 25, 1998, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a highly talented baseball outfielder. Many people see him as a once-in-a-generation player. His exceptional batting skills have been likened to those of legendary Ted Williams.
Q. Why is Juan Soto so expensive?
A. Soto’s expensive contract shows how his exceptional skills and free-agent status increased his value as teams competed for him.