Carlos Correa Selected to 2024 All-Star Game, Multiple Twins Are Potential Replacements

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota is one of the American League’s best teams through the first half, but only one player will represent the club in the Midsummer Classic. Who made the cut, and who could be potential roster replacements?

Image courtesy of Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have been represented by multiple players in every All-Star Game since 2019. Some years, the players were part of the initially announced roster, and other times, there have been replacement players for injured or unavailable players. Last season, Sonny Gray and Pablo López represented the club, while Byron Buxton and Luis Arráez were the team’s representatives in 2022. So, who will represent the Twins in Texas at the 2024 All-Star Game?

2024 All-Star: Carlos Correa, SS
The AL has a pair of shortstops in the MVP conversation with Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. Both players were locks to make the roster, so it came down to whether or not the AL club wanted to have a third shortstop. Correa previously made the All-Star team in 2017 and 2021 with the Astros, but he has yet to be selected since joining the Twins. He’s having a resurgent offensive season with a 150 OPS+ and is the most well-known player on the team from a national perspective. 

The Twins have multiple other names on the roster who could be candidates to be injury replacements. So, let’s look at their chances of joining Correa in Texas. 

Joe Ryan, SP
Ryan has been the Twins’ best-starting pitcher throughout the 2024 campaign and ranks fourth on the team in rWAR. Since Ryan pitched on Saturday, his last scheduled start for the first half lines up to be Friday in San Francisco, making it more likely that he would be available to pitch an inning in the All-Star Game. Currently, Ryan ranks in the top 10 among AL pitchers in fWAR, and there will be more than ten starting pitchers on the roster, especially when other players pitch over the weekend. 

Willi Castro, UTL
Castro has arguably been the team’s MVP through the season’s first half. His defensive flexibility has been invaluable while posting a 124 OPS+. He is the first player in MLB history to appear in at least 20 games at second, third, shortstop, center field, and left field in the same season. Castro has the entire second half of the season to extend his record-breaking performance. The AL All-Star team might need someone with Castro’s defensive utility, and he certainly had a worthy first half. 

Ryan Jeffers, C
Early in the season, Jeffers looked like a lock to make the All-Star Game because he was among the league leaders in OPS. He ended April with a .947 OPS and continued to hit well in May with a .830 OPS. Jeffers struggled in June, with only two extra-base hits in 16 games. Adley Rutschman was selected as the AL’s starter, and Salvador Perez will back him up. Jeffers has a strong case If the AL squad wants a third catcher.

Griffin Jax, RP
Jax has been the team’s most dominant reliever and has an All-Star-caliber resume. However, there are relievers in closer roles who have compiled video game numbers that will make the team ahead of him. Every team needs a representative in the All-Star Game, which, unfortunately, pushes Jax out of the picture. 

Did the correct player get selected for the All-Star Game? Will any other Twins be added as replacement players? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

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[ChermesZ]

Sure things in life:

death

taxes

yankees closer on the all star team.

[D.C Twins]

Ryan an absolute MUST!

[stringer bell]

15 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

Ryan an absolute MUST!

He's been very good, but there have been a lot of good starters in the American League. I'm sure there are stats that give Ryan an edge over someone who was selected, but there are thirteen starters with a better ERA and more than that with more victories. 

[stringer bell]

Not included was Buxton. Outside of Judge, there aren't any AL centerfielders with a better OPS and he's still great in the field.

[old nurse]

Royce Lewis will be the Twins representative. Of course he still may be injured but then the manager can take another Oriole. Maybe Cano ti rub it ib 

[olerud]

I belive Miranda deserves consideration as well!

[LambchoP]

Correa deserves it,but so does Jax!

[Jim wyllie]

Its crazy the royals have more all stars at least 3 this year and it always seems at least one team with a worse record than the twins will have more all stars, the twins never get enough respect, too often it's so bad all star selection are a joke

[h2oface]

No fan vote AND no player vote voted a Twin in. Mandatory pick by MLB goes to Correa. There has to be one from each team. He's the most famous for many reasons, and has very good numbers in the first half, finally, since becoming a Twin. Now he may need to let his wrist get some time off. 
 

I don’t have homer vision. There are no comparative all-stars on this team, when all the others in the game on all the other teams are considered. The cumulative baseball fans know it, and the players know it. "One month" Jeffers is not even close, yet. Some have had nice streaks, for sure. Replacement and mandatory must feel a bit cheap - to be on the team because MLB had to select at least one player from your team. I would think a player would want to have deserved a selection by the fans or players, and get to the game in a more respectful fashion, and replacement means exactly that, replacing the all-star that could not play. Maybe next year. I think some could sustain excellence and deserve it. Take off the homer blinders and get the big picture. We can still win without the "all-star(s)" on the team. 

[Riverbrian]

Miranda would be my vote to replace Correa. 

I shouldn't get a vote.

I take a 4 day vacation from baseball during the all-star break. 

 

[Doctor Wu]

27 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Miranda would be my vote to replace Correa. 

I shouldn't get a vote.

I take a 4 day vacation from baseball during the all-star break. 

 

Miranda is definitely deserving of a spot based on his performance the past 2 months, but he may not have enough official at-bats to be considered. 

[Riverbrian]

15 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

Miranda is definitely deserving of a spot based on his performance the past 2 months, but he may not have enough official at-bats to be considered. 

Carlos Correa has 299 PA's. Miranda has 263 PA's. 

279 PA's would qualify a Twins player for a batting title. 

I'm not aware of any all-star game qualifiers. 

 

[Doctor Wu]

1 minute ago, Riverbrian said:

Carlos Correa has 299 PA's. Miranda has 263 PA's. 

279 PA's would qualify a Twins player for a batting title. 

I'm not aware of any all-star game qualifiers. 

 

You are right, there probably are not any real qualifying stats in that sense for the All-Star game. But I'm guessing his slight lack of at-bats may be the biggest reason that he wasn't considered. 

[Joe Schmitt]

Different teams are built in different ways.  The Royals are built around a few stars who have played really well.  The Twins are built around a lot of players who are playing well.  Given that fact it is not surprising (and not unfair) that the Royals have more all-stars than the Twins. Personally, I prefer the Twins approach.  I think it is more sustainable and more Minnesotan. But that's largely a matter of personal preference.

[stringer bell]

Honestly, I don’t think there’s any conspiracy or anything like that, but far worse teams have more All-Stars. The Twins have a half-dozen that could/should have been taken and only got the minimum number. It’s one of those years, I guess. 

[ChermesZ]

I disagree.  The MLB has a big market bias problem - and it’s fully apparent in the all star game.

 

brock holt makes it as a utility player..yay.  Oh Boston.

ben Zobrist makes it as a utility player!  Oh…cubs.

esteban loaiza makes it in 2004 (no Johan Santana) oh … White sox

If the twins were a big market team, they’d have at least 3 players.  Ryan, Lewis, and Correa…not to mention possibilities for jax, Castro, and Duran.

So yes, there is a ‘conspiracy’..the mlb will always favor big market teams.  
 

Heck, clay Holmes was a commissioners selection this year…

[twinfan]

Of those not chosen, I think Jax is most deserving. But middle relievers just don't get consideration (I know he has a few saves as well). Miranda has come on strong in June and could be a replacement. Castro is a nice story but utility men also rarely get chosen. I would not choose Ryan as he has been too inconsistent and there are other pitchers who have been better. I'm surprised only 3 Orioles have made it. There are always snubs who will be talked about and those who will sit it out. It's amazing that so many young pitchers for both sides are in. I think Sale and Burnes should start but all eyes will want the Pirates star to start. 

[UK Twin]

I think that Correa being the only Twins all star is telling for a number of reasons. Firstly, it shows that the line up isn't top heavy or being held together by one or two hitters. Everyone is contributing which means the stats like RBI's are being shared out pretty equally. It's not great for all star recognition but it's very good for the team. Secondly, the Twins are going under the radar a bit, particularly with how good Cleveland have been. Fine with me. The gap is only 6 games. Let Cleveland have all the attention. 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

You are right, there probably are not any real qualifying stats in that sense for the All-Star game. But I'm guessing his slight lack of at-bats may be the biggest reason that he wasn't considered. 

He could really only be considered at DH in my opinion. He isn’t an All-star at 3B. Probably doesn’t have (due to fewer reps) any cache as a true DH at this point. His numbers are very nice with the bat. Hopefully, we’re having these discussions about Miranda again in the future!

[DJL44]

48 minutes ago, twinfan said:

But middle relievers just don't get consideration 

Thank goodness

[arby58]

11 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Thank goodness

Jax isn't just a middle reliever - he has 7 saves. Here's a little thought experiment:

This player is an American League All Star: 1-3 record, 3.00 ERA, 36 innings pitched, 37 Ks, 8 walks. 1.306 WHIP. 19 saves. This player is not: 3-3 record, 1.88 ERA, 38 innings pitched 53 Ks, 10 walks. 0.939 WHIP. 7 saves.

The first is the Yankees Clay Holmes, the second is Griffin Jax. Jax is clearly better in every category except saves. As advanced analytics suggest, you're often better using your best relief pitcher in non-save situations, which is often the case with Jax.

[MinnInPa]

nope..only Twin deserving All Star consideration is Correa.. 

[gunnarthor]

Correa is the only one who really deserved to go. Miller is having a solid year for the A's and he's their only pick and arguably better than Jax anyway. 

[TwinsDr2021]

2 hours ago, Joe Schmitt said:

Different teams are built in different ways.  The Royals are built around a few stars who have played really well.  The Twins are built around a lot of players who are playing well.  Given that fact it is not surprising (and not unfair) that the Royals have more all-stars than the Twins. Personally, I prefer the Twins approach.  I think it is more sustainable and more Minnesotan. But that's largely a matter of personal preference.

Is this True? The Royals are basically where the Twins were a couple of years ago, building offensive from within and trying that with pitchers but needing to bring in some older pitchers (Lugo/Wacha) Perez could be compared to Buxton, Lewis compared to Witt, Ragans compared to Ober or Ryan. Super confused on this take that somehow the Twins are different than the Royals (Well besides being the better team)

[Joe Schmitt]

I certainly won't defend the selection of Holmes over Jax.  You're absolutely correct that Jax has a better case.  I would merely observe that the selections are a product of the focus on saves, not an example of anti-Twins bias.

God, I just (sort of) defended a Yankee.  Now I need a bath.

[Joe Schmitt]

Re: KC/Twins.  Perhaps I expressed myself poorly. I am not arguing that they have a different method of building a team. Just that KC is far more top heavy. Here's the KC top five WAR list ATM (from Fangraphs):

1	Bobby Witt Jr.	KCR	403		5.6		5.6
2	Cole Ragans	KCR		109.2	0.0	3.1	3.1
3	Seth Lugo	KCR		122.0	0.0	2.7	2.7
4	Salvador Perez	KCR	359		1.8		1.8
5	Michael Wacha	KCR		84.1	0.0	1.6	1.6

Whereas here is the Twins list:

1	Carlos Correa	MIN	299		3.2		3.2
2	Willi Castro	MIN	361	1.1	2.9	0.0	2.9
3	Joe Ryan	MIN		109.1	0.0	2.5	2.5
4	Jose Miranda	MIN	263		2.2		2.2
5	Byron Buxton	MIN	254		2.1		2.1

The top three in KC combine for 11.5 WAR, while the top 3 Twins are 8.6.  But the Twins have a lot more WAR below the top three.  

[DJL44]

32 minutes ago, arby58 said:

Jax isn't just a middle reliever - he has 7 saves. Here's a little thought experiment:

This player is an American League All Star: 1-3 record, 3.00 ERA, 36 innings pitched, 37 Ks, 8 walks. 1.306 WHIP. 19 saves. This player is not: 3-3 record, 1.88 ERA, 38 innings pitched 53 Ks, 10 walks. 0.939 WHIP. 7 saves.

The first is the Yankees Clay Holmes, the second is Griffin Jax. Jax is clearly better in every category except saves. As advanced analytics suggest, you're often better using your best relief pitcher in non-save situations, which is often the case with Jax.

I don't think any reliever should be on the All-Star team. I'll make an exception for bad teams without an obvious representative and Mariano Rivera.

[TwinsDr2021]

10 minutes ago, Joe Schmitt said:

Re: KC/Twins.  Perhaps I expressed myself poorly. I am not arguing that they have a different method of building a team. Just that KC is far more top heavy. Here's the KC top five WAR list ATM (from Fangraphs):

1	Bobby Witt Jr.	KCR	403		5.6		5.6
2	Cole Ragans	KCR		109.2	0.0	3.1	3.1
3	Seth Lugo	KCR		122.0	0.0	2.7	2.7
4	Salvador Perez	KCR	359		1.8		1.8
5	Michael Wacha	KCR		84.1	0.0	1.6	1.6

Whereas here is the Twins list:

1	Carlos Correa	MIN	299		3.2		3.2
2	Willi Castro	MIN	361	1.1	2.9	0.0	2.9
3	Joe Ryan	MIN		109.1	0.0	2.5	2.5
4	Jose Miranda	MIN	263		2.2		2.2
5	Byron Buxton	MIN	254		2.1		2.1

The top three in KC combine for 11.5 WAR, while the top 3 Twins are 8.6.  But the Twins have a lot more WAR below the top three.  

The Twins are a better and deeper team than KC and this is proven by their record. It is reflects that a few of the Twins are under performing (Vazuez, Kepler, Pablo, Buxton 43 million) and quite a few are over performing (Castro, Miranda) and many doing what was expected but I will take guys performing on the Twins like Witt any day.

[ChermesZ]

13 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I don't think any reliever should be on the All-Star team. I'll make an exception for bad teams without an obvious representative and Mariano Rivera.

Dellin betances says hi.

 

let this sink in….duran has not made the all star game.