Phillies Ace Strangely Not Projected to Join National League in All-Star Game

Phillies Ace Surprisingly Left Off MLB All-Star Game Projections

Despite having a roster filled with All-Star-caliber talent, the Philadelphia Phillies may be without one of their top pitchers in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

Zack Wheeler, the ace of the Phillies’ pitching staff, has been one of the best in the league since joining the team as a free agent in 2020, after leaving the New York Mets. The 2024 National League Cy Young runner-up has made two All-Star teams and finished in the top 12 in Cy Young voting four times, including two second-place finishes. He’s also earned a Gold Glove Award for his work on the mound.

Wheeler has been consistently reliable, making 32 starts in three out of the four full seasons he’s been with the Phillies. Heading into 2025, he seemed on track for another strong Cy Young campaign, starting the season with an impressive performance against the Washington Nationals on Opening Day. Wheeler threw six innings, allowing just two hits and two walks, giving up one earned run while striking out eight.

Despite his dominance, MLB writer Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report does not project Wheeler to make the National League All-Star team in 2025. In his early predictions, Wheeler was not included among the nine starting pitchers for the NL All-Star roster.

However, the Phillies could still have a pitcher represented in the All-Star Game. Reuter predicts that Cristopher Sanchez, an emerging star who made his first All-Star appearance in 2024, will be the one to represent Philadelphia on the mound. Sanchez, who has been a breakout candidate for 2025, showed impressive form during spring training, with increased velocity and excellent control. His solid start to the season, including a strong performance against the Colorado Rockies, suggests he could be headed for stardom.

It would be a surprise if Sanchez were the only pitcher from the Phillies in the All-Star Game, especially after the team had five pitchers selected for the 2024 NL roster, including Wheeler, Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Matt Strahm, and Jeff Hoffman.