Phillies lash out after Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski makes All-Star team: ‘It’s a joke’

The Phillies aren’t happy with Jacob Misiorowski’s controversial All-Star Game selection. 

The Brewers’ hard-throwing rookie was chosen as a replacement for Matthew Boyd after just five starts and 25 2/3 innings, breaking the 2024 record set by Pirates ace Paul Skenes of 11 games.

The news didn’t go over well in Philadelphia’s clubhouse. 

“What a joke,” Turner said, according to The Athletic. “That’s f— terrible. I mean, that’s terrible, dude.”

Added Nick Castellanos: “It’s turning into the Savannah Bananas.”

The Phillies have two deserving starting pitchers – Christopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez – who were snubbed despite Philly’s ace Zack Wheeler opting out of the game. 

Sanchez has often been mentioned as the pitcher who should have been selected, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose mentioning him Friday night after Misiorowski’s addition.

The Phillies’ southpaw owns a 2.59 ERA with 116 strikeouts over 107 2/3 innings this season, all of which rank top 12 in the National League. 

“If he’s not an all-Star, then no one is,” Turner said.

Sánchez wasn’t selected in part because he’s starting the Phillies’ first-half finale Sunday against the Padres, which his teammates disagreed with.

“That shouldn’t be the case,” Realmuto said.

Added Kyle Schwarber, the team’s lone player who will be attending the game: “He should be named an All-Star still.”

Suárez has been even better, albeit in fewer innings after missing the first month of the season with a back injury, posting a 1.94 ERA in 83 2/3 innings. 

“That’s just how MLB does it now,” Realmuto said. “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But those two (Sánchez and Suárez) are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”

MLB reportedly offered to make the pair All-Stars under certain conditions.

Suarez was reportedly told by league officials that he could be an All-Star if he agreed to pitch an inning, but he declined, deciding to rest for the second half instead.

“Even if you’re going to ask hi that, then he should be labeled an All-Star at that point,” Schwarber said. “Not just if you can pitch.”

Sanchez was asked to “make himself available” for an inning due to the restriction after pitching Sunday, per The Athletic, which he reportedly declined.

His agent denied that version of events to the outlet, saying Sanchez is willing to pitch.

“It’s unfortunate,” Schwarber said of the two snubs. “But I wish my teammates were there. We know what we have, and I think that we’re grateful for what we have.”