5 Phillies players poised for 2021 All-Star consideration
By Matt Rappa
It has been eight years since the Philadelphia Phillies last had multiple All-Star representatives — when outfielder Domonic Brown and starting pitcher Cliff Lee appeared in the 2013 Midsummer Classic at the home of their division-rival New York Mets, Citi Field.
Six different Phillies have been named All-Stars since — second baseman Chase Utley (2014), closer Jonathan Papelbon (2015), outfielder Odubel Herrera (2016), reliever Pat Neshek (2017), starting pitcher Aaron Nola (2018), and catcher J.T. Realmuto (2019).
Could the 2021 season under manager Joe Girardi be the year that the trend changes, and multiple Phillies receive nods? Here are five players on the first-place National League East team who are currently in the running.
1. J.T. Realmuto
Catcher J.T. Realmuto has been named an All-Star twice in his career, once with the Miami Marlins (2018) and Phillies (2019) each. Through 30 games this season, the eight-year veteran is slashing .308/.407/.516 with 10 extra-base hits and 15 RBI across 108 plate appearances.
World Series champion Carlos Ruiz (2012) is the only other Phillies All-Star catcher in the Citizens Bank Park era. Wall of Fame member Mike Lieberthal (1999, 2000) remains as the team’s most recent multiple-time All-Star catcher
National League Catcher Ranks:
- Runs: 14 (Tied, 4th)
- Hits: 28 (2nd)
- Doubles: 5 (Tied, 4th)
- Home Runs: 4 (Tied, 6th)
- RBI: 15 (Tied, 3rd)
- Walks: 13 (Tied, 3rd)
- Stolen Bases: 2 (Tied, 1st)
- Batting Average: .308 (1st among qualified players)
- On-Base Percentage: .407 (1st among qualified players)
- Slugging Percentage: .516 (1st among qualified players)