Phillies: J.T. Realmuto named Sporting News MLB All-Star

After a second stellar year with the Phillies, J.T. Realmuto has received All-Star honors.

Major League Baseball may have not named official All-Stars this past season, given the Midsummer Classic was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis; however, the Philadelphia Phillies will still have an All-Star after all.

On Friday, Sporting News — who named its first MLB All-Star team nearly 100 years ago in 1925 — announced its 2020 American League and National League All-Stars, chosen by a panel of National League executives. J.T. Realmuto, who enters free agency after two seasons with the Phillies, was unanimously named the National League’s representative for the catcher position.

For the National League, eight different teams have All-Star representation on Sporting News’ list, including the Phillies division-rival Atlanta Braves having three representatives (Freedie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Marcell Ozuna), and the New York Mets having one (Jacob deGrom).

Realmuto, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, and San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado received the most individual votes — seven each — while a total of 23 National League players received at least one vote .

2020 Sporting News National League All-Stars

• Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
• First base: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
• Second base: Donovan Solano, San Francisco Giants
• Third base: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres
• Shortstop: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
• Outfield: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Outfield: Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
• Outfield: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
• Designated hitter: Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
• Starting pitcher: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
• Relief pitcher: Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers

Realmuto once again proved his worth during the 2020 season; in 47 games, he slugged 11 home runs and 32 RBI, while producing a career-best .840 OPS. Behind the plate, Realmuto committed only two errors spanning 306 chances.

In two seasons donning red pinstripes overall, Realmuto slashed .273/.333/.492 with 42 doubles, 36 home runs, and 115 RBI across 192 games; the catcher earned a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award following the 2019 season and surely will in considered for the 2020 honors.

Sporting News also named the Phillies’ Realmuto an All-Star last season, however it was not unanimous like in 2020, as Yasmani Grandal also received votes. Realmuto was an official National League All-Star in 2018 with the Miami Marlins and 2019 with the Phillies.