Phillies top four 2019 MLB All-Star Game candidates

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 03: Starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on May 3, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

So far this year, which Phillies have the best chance of representing the team at the All-Star Game in Cleveland this July?

The Phillies have not been represented well at recent All-Star Games, sending the minimum one player in each of the last five years. That could change this season with the team surging and many deserving candidates already emerging. Which Phillies have the best chance of becoming All-Stars this year?

No. 4: Jerad Eickhoff

Jerad Eickhoff did not even start the year in the majors, instead starting back down to Triple-A. He reclaimed a rotation spot thanks to Nick Pivetta‘s struggles. Since then, he has taken a firm hold of that spot.

In five appearances this year, Eickhoff has a 1.50 ERA, 2.13 fielding-independent pitching, and 0.967 WHIP. He has struck out 31 batters and walked 11 in 30 innings pitched. Eickhoff has been especially effective in his last three starts, giving up just one run and eight hits in 20 innings.

Eickhoff already has 1.8 pitching wins above replacement this year, which ranks sixth among National League pitchers. This comes despite pitching ten fewer innings than Chris Paddack, who ranks seventh, and 16 innings fewer than Zach Davies, who ranks fifth. If Eickhoff pitched like this for as many innings as the WAR leader (Luis Castillo‘s 56.1 innings), he would have 3.4 wins above replacement and lead the NL by a wide margin.

Eickhoff’s case is undoubtedly hampered by getting a late start to the season. That shouldn’t become too much of an issue once July rolls around as he only missed the first couple weeks of the year. If he keeps pitching as he has been, he will have a great case to be an All-Star.

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