Who is an All-Star for the Mets?
There's one obvious candidate, but several others who at least deserve a conversation with the game around five weeks away
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets were off on Thursday - they open a three-game series with the Padres in San Diego on Friday
SS Francisco Lindor starred in a new promo for Steven Spielberg’s latest movie “Disclosure Day” (MLB.com)
The Mets’ youngsters in the outfield are living up to their “psychopath” nickname (MLB.com)
RHP Christian Scott has looked strong since joining the rotation and has filled in admirably since Clay Holmes went on the IL (NY Post)
Injury Updates 🏥
INF Jorge Polanco (left Achilles bursitis) is expected to return this weekend against the Padres
C Francisco Álvarez (torn right knee meniscus) went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his second rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse
Just Mets Podcast 🎙️
On the latest midweek edition of the show, Rich recaps the Mets losing 2/3 to the Mariners and goes on an epic rant about how Mark Vientos turned into the worst player in baseball.
SUBSCRIBE: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Down on the Farm 🌾
RF Eli Serrano III (No. 12 prospect, Double-A): 1-for-2, R, HR, RBI, BB
C Ronald Hernandez (High-A): 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, K
SS Mitch Voit (No. 6 prospect, High-A): 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 SB, BB
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (27-35) at Padres (32-39)
Where: Petco Park – San Diego, CA
Starters: RHP Christian Scott (1-0, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP Michael King (4-4, 3.18 ERA)
When: 9:40 PM EDT
Where to Watch: WPIX
Evaluating possible All-Star candidates on the Mets roster ✍️
The Mets had a much-needed off-day on Thursday as a go-between for their final trip to the West Coast. There were some injury updates in the last 24 hours with Francisco Álvarez and Jorge Polanco - both appear to be nearing their return, and the Mets can unquestionably use their top of the depth chart players on this roster right now. What they get out of them remains to be seen, and how long they can stay on the field always remains to be seen with these two players specifically.
In the meantime, All-Star balloting is officially underway for fans to vote in their favorites for the Midsummer Classic. For Mets fans, the enthusiasm might not be there given how poorly the team has played so far, but they do have some players who at least should be in the conversation, if not on the National League roster entirely.
First, obviously, is OF Juan Soto, who continues to be just fabulous despite the disappointing season from the club to-date.
He was snubbed last season in his first year with the Mets, which was utterly ridiculous despite his slow start last season. Hopefully, that gets rectified this summer. He did miss some time with that calf injury at the beginning of the season, but Soto is hitting .293/.380/.943 with 13 home runs and 29 RBI despite missing about three weeks in April. Since his return on April 22, he is fourth in the league among outfielders in fWAR, second in wRC+, second in slugging, and first in home runs.
Since every team needs a representative, and since it’s a no-brainer on paper anyway, Soto will probably end up with a roster spot. Does he start? Well, I don’t know about that just yet, but he has been the standout performer on an otherwise floundering offense here and continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball.
Now, a dark horse possibility is Carson Benge.
The rookie struggled adjusting to the big leagues in April, but since May 1, he has really come into his own and is in the top ten in many offensive categories. He is sixth in the league among outfielders in fWAR, eighth in wRC+, eighth in OBP, fifth in average, eighth in RBI, and fifth in average.
Unfortunately for Benge, the National League outfield race is a crowded field as it is almost every year. He not only has to compete with his teammate Soto but others such as Oneil Cruz, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ronald Acuña Jr., Andy Pages, James Wood, Michael Harris II, and JJ Bleday. Unless he gets voted in by the fans, there is little chance Benge makes the team given the names he is up against. That doesn’t diminish Benge’s ascent as one of the top rookies in the league, but he might be a victim of the proverbial numbers game when it comes to rostering for the event.
RHP Devin Williams is another one who has turned his season around, although his rough April might do his All-Star bid in. He allowed at least one run in four consecutive appearances in mid-April, but since April 26 against Colorado, he has been nearly spotless, allowing runs in only one of 14 appearances since. He is sixth in the league in saves since that time and has a 2.77 ERA over that same time period, thanks to that one bad appearance against the Marlins in Miami in mid-May.
RHP Luke Weaver’s stats outshine Williams’s a bit, is actually third in the league in fWAR among relievers and has a 1.06 ERA since the end of April. But like Williams, he had a rough April (you can probably say that about most any Met). He has been lights out for the better part of two months, having not allowed runs since April 30 and has a 0.89 ERA over his last 18 appearances, dating back to April 18. He has been everything and more the Mets could’ve asked for when they signed him over the winter and, along with Brooks Raley, has been the club’s best reliever in 2026.
Even so, they’ll probably have to outshine Padres closer Mason Miller to have a chance, among others who are on actual contenders.
With the rest of the Mets underperforming or injured, nobody else is really deserving to make the National League All-Star team, but Juan Soto should be in Philadelphia this July representing the Mets.
Around the League 🚩
Yankees All-Star slugger Aaron Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture on his rib and will miss significant time but is expected to return before the end of the season (ESPN)
Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Ildemaro Vargas and Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Max Muncy both exited the game after a scary collision at first base (ESPN)
With the Trade Deadline approaching, what players could be on the move before the deadline passes? (ESPN)
Why do the minor league teams of some organizations seem more injury prone than others? (The Athletic)
Braves LHP Chris Sale struggled in Atlanta’s 7-2 loss the Blue Jays
Cherry picking some numbers to make Williams, Benge, and Weaver all star candidates...no. We're all gratified by Benge's improvement at the plate, but no. Soto, that's it.