MLB’s Midsummer Traditional has lengthy been a spotlight of the summer season months and infrequently pits the brightest stars in baseball in opposition to one another. With this yr’s sport only a month away (July 15 at Atlanta’s Truist Park), Yardbarker’s MLB writers took a have a look at an underrated All-Star candidate from every Nationwide League membership who deserves to symbolize his group in Atlanta.
(Information and stats are by play Sunday.)
NL East
Jun 5, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets beginning pitcher David Peterson throws in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers through the first inning at Dodger Stadium.
Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Pictures
ATLANTA BRAVES (31-39) | RHP Grant Holmes | A 15-strikeout effort in opposition to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday set a brand new profession excessive for Holmes and introduced his Ok complete to 92 throughout 79.1 innings this season. With a 3.97 ERA, Holmes has been a stable No. 3 starter behind Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach and amid accidents to Spencer Strider and AJ Smith-Shawver.
MIAMI MARLINS (28-41) | OF Kyle Stowers | It’s at all times enjoyable to pick an All-Star from a last-place group, and Stowers has made a reasonably convincing case by 65 video games this season. The 27-year-old has notched 20 extra-base hits and 33 RBI to the tune of an .807 OPS – not precisely something to write down residence about, however he leads the membership in a number of offensive classes.
NEW YORK METS (45-27) | LHP David Peterson | The Mets’ rotation has stunned everybody this season, notably Peterson, who’s appeared like an ace in 13 begins. The 29-year-old has a 2.49 ERA throughout 79.2 frames of labor, together with a whole sport shutout he tossed in opposition to the Nationals on June 11.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (42-29) | LHP Ranger Suarez | Since his return from the injured checklist on Could 4, the southpaw has regained the shape that made him an All-Star for the primary time in 2024, with a 2.32 ERA in eight begins. Whereas he hasn’t been fairly as dominant, Suarez has rapidly compiled a case for himself for the 2025 ASG.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (30-41) | SS CJ Abrams | Whereas his teammate James Wooden leads the group in homers and RBI, Abrams has put collectively an honest season as effectively, with an .819 OPS, 26 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and 11 stolen bases. If the previous high prospect had been to go to Atlanta, it will be his second consecutive ASG look. — Lauren Amour
NL Central
Jun 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki singles in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates through the eighth inning at Wrigley Subject.
Matt Marton-Imagn Pictures
CHICAGO CUBS ( 44-28) | OF Seiya Suzuki | Tied for third within the majors with 58 RBI, Suzuki is on tempo to drive in 134 runners this season. His energy has been a significant component in driving in runs, with 17 residence runs and 37 of his 71 hits going for additional bases, tied with teammate Pete-Crow Armstrong for the fifth most within the majors.
CINCINNATI REDS (37-35) | OF TJ Friedl | After a tough 2024 season, Friedl has bounced again in a giant method because the Reds’ leadoff hitter this season, main all centerfielders with a 2.3 WAR and a .384 OBP, which ranks fourth amongst all outfielders. His .290 batting common leads all NL centerfielders, making him among the finest leadoff hitters within the majors.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (39-34)
| RHP Abner Uribe | After posting a 6.81 ERA in 14 video games final season, Uribe has discovered his function as Milwaukee’s high setup possibility. His 1.31 ERA is the seventh-best amongst all aid pitchers, and he has not given up a run in 22 of his final 23 appearances.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (29-44)
| RHP Dennis Santana | Santana has grow to be Pittsburgh’s most dependable bullpen arm this season, with a 1.74 ERA and only a 0.84 WHIP — the fourth-best amongst NL relievers. His sturdy management throughout his five-pitch arsenal has restricted batters from reaching base on balls simply 4.3% of the time.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (37-35) | UTIL Brendan Donovan | Excelling each on the plate and within the discipline, Donovan is placing collectively a robust 2025 season. He’s batting .313 —
fourth greatest within the NL — and has performed 5 completely different positions on the defensive aspect, committing only one error in 64 video games. — Taylor Bretl
NL West
Jun 8, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers proper fielder Andy Pages dives and makes a catch in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals through the ninth inning at Busch Stadium.
Jeff Curry-Imagn Pictures
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (36-35) | RHP Merrill Kelly | Arizona’s rotation has its share of former All-Stars (together with the injured Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen). Nonetheless, Kelly has been stable for the Diamondbacks after giving up 9 runs to the New York Yankees in his second begin of the season. Now by 15 begins, Kelly has lowered his ERA to three.41 by 87.0 innings and his 2.2 bWAR is tied for second amongst all Diamondbacks.
COLORADO ROCKIES (14-57) | RHP Jake Fowl | Center relievers normally aren’t that interesting for All-Star rosters, however Fowl has not solely been a stalwart for Colorado but additionally one of many NL’s greatest relievers this season. A 2.23 ERA in 40.1 innings, together with 52 strikeouts to date, might make Fowl the Rockies’ consultant in Atlanta.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (43-29) | CF Andy Pages | In a star-studded Dodgers lineup, what Pages has dropped at middle discipline is simple to miss. Nevertheless, his OPS of .800 is the sixth-best on the group, and his 2.6 bWAR is forward of Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez, amongst others.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (39-31) | DH Gavin Sheets | In his first season in San Diego, Sheets has made a direct impression on the lineup by posting an OPS+ of 119 (his first time above 100 since his 54-game rookie season in 2021). The 29-year-old Sheets has 12 homers (only one behind group chief Fernando Tatis Jr.) whereas his 40 RBI are simply behind Manny Machado’s 43 for the group lead.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (41-31) | RHP Tyler Rogers | San Francisco’s bullpen has been one of many keys to the group’s success to date this season, and Rogers often is the missed piece within the late innings. His 1.35 ERA by 33.1 innings is spectacular, however with none saves, will his numbers be sufficient to get him to the Midsummer Traditional? — Kevin Henry
