Dodgers Analysis: Which Dodgers DESERVE your All-Star votes in Phase 2?

4 minutes read

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a home run to tie the game 5-5 against the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — Of course, we here at DodgersBeat are pro-Dodgers. However, we are also pro-reality. So, we know that while it was cool that eight Dodgers are still eligible to be starters in the Mid-Summer Classic next month, we know that it realistically isn’t going to happen. With Dodgers up and down the ballot this year, there will be sure to be a good deal of backlash vote from the rest of the country. Many will be voting, no doubt, an anti-Dodger straight ticket. However, we know that SOME of your Boys in Blue deserve the spot, regardless of what the rest of the country might whine about. So, let’s break it down, position by position, and we’ll give you our can’t-miss picks for the Dodgers who deserve your support in Phase Two of the balloting.

The Lock: Shohei Ohtani

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates immediately after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 14-11 comeback win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Friday night.(Darryl Webb / Associated Press)

Much as you’d like to vote for Shohei again, I’m afraid that just won’t be possible (until next year, anyway). By virtue of his getting the most votes in the National League for a DH, he will be an automatic starter in this year’s All-Star game. We already know he won’t pitch (Dave Roberts has said as much), so we’ll just have to content ourselves with a couple ABs from the unicorn in Atlanta.

The Slam Dunks: Will Smith & Freddie Freeman

Will Smith, #16, is greeted by teammate including Freddie Freeman, #5, and Clayton Kershaw after hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Yes, Freddie’s been scuffling a bit the last few weeks, and yes, Pete Alonso is a worthy All-Star as well, but Freddie returning to Atlanta as a starter, champion, and World Series MVP? It’s too rich not to do it. Will Smith and his .935 OPS are clearly the class of the National League (no Big Dumper to worry about), so he should cruise to an easy win over the Cubs’ Carson Kelly, who’s having a nice bounceback year, but not even close to Smith statistically.

Too Close to Call: Muncy, Pages

Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high-fives Max Muncy #13 to celebrate a win after the game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, June 16, 2025 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

These two guys, I’m a little surprised by to be honest. After the end of April, both were mired in horrible early-season slumps. But both have closed ground very hard. Muncy has been All-World since he got the new specs, and Pages continues to shine both with the bat and glove. Muncy’s OPS is now greater than that of rival Manny Machado, and he’s driven in more runs. Will baseball fans award him and his optometrist with a nod to the All-Star team? We shall see.

Pages, too, has been a revelation after a slow start. Only Pete Crow-Armstrong has a better OPS among centerfielders. But I’m pretty sure that, unless Dodger fans show up big time, the bigger names like Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker will be ahead of him in the fan voting. Speaking of fans, James Wood? Hello? Is this mic on? Guy got robbed. Clearly one of the best starting outfielders this season.

Might make it, but probably don’t deserve it: Betts, Hernandez, Edman

Mookie Betts #50, Teoscar Hernandez #37 and Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after Hernández’ two-run home run in the third inning of Game 2 of the 2024 World Series (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Don’t get me wrong. I like all these guys a lot. But the great progress Mookie’s made as a shortstop cannot undo his offensive struggles. The only saving grace is the two guys who SHOULD be in the finals, C.J. Abrams and Elly De La Cruz, didn’t pass muster with the fans. So it will be basically a popularity contest between two veterans: Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor. May the best smile win.

Postseason hero Edman is a solid ballplayer, and I love his versatility, but Ketel Marte has had a considerably better first half. If anyone will suffer from the “Enough with the Dodgers already” sentiment, Edman is a likely candidate.

As for Hernandez, he finished high in the fan vote, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s voted in, but there are much more deserving candidates on the ballot. Plus, his defense in right, ugh. I guess he and Juan Soto can have something to talk about the next time they get together.

So there you have it. If you expend your energy this week, make it on Pages and Muncy. Freddie and Will should be in. Teoscar, Tommy, and Mookie… you guys might think about what you’re gonna do during the break. Cuz I don’t think you’ll be in Atlanta.

Remember, all votes from Phase One will be erased more quickly than you can say hanging chad. Phase Two gets underway on Monday morning, and it will conclude on Wednesday. Okay, Chavezarians, let’s vote early and often and get your boys to Atlanta!

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