Each season, MLB players off to hot starts are rewarded for their first-half performance with selections to that year's All-Star Game. By mid-July 2024, the Philadelphia Phillies had baseball's best record, and they saw a National League record-tying eight players (subscription required) get chosen to play in the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas as a result. The best part about sending players to the annual game of baseball's best is seeing players who get the All-Star nod for the first time in their career.
Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman and Alec Bohm were all first-timers for the Phillies last season. Being recognized by fans and peers as an All-Star is a massive accomplishment for anybody in the league, whether as a first-timer or as an All-Star veteran. The Phillies certainly won't send eight players to this year's game, but who deserves it the most based off their early-season play?
3 Phillies whose hot starts warrant All-Star consideration if they stay on track
Jesús Luzardo, LHP
Jesús Luzardo is the first potential first-time All-Star on this list. Dave Dombrowski has been subject to a lot of scrutiny from fans who believe that he failed to properly improve the team's bullpen and outfield. However, the Luzardo acquisition has been nothing short of a home run move by the Phillies president of baseball operations.
In seven starts with his new team, Luzardo has excelled with a 1.94 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings pitched. Although pitchers are chosen by coaches, not fans, for the All-Star Game, Luzardo is probably the Phillies' current best bet to be sent to this year's game in Atlanta.
The former top prospect has always shown loads of potential, as evident by his breakout in 2023 when he had a ridiculous 208 strikeouts across 178 2/3 innings to go with a 3.58 ERA. The issue with Luzardo has been staying on the field, as back, elbow, and forearm injuries have caused him to make 30 starts in a season only once, in 2023. Thankfully, the Phillies saw that potential and dismissed his injury history, unlike the Chicago Cubs, who saw Luzardo dominate against them first-hand.
José Alvarado, LHP
José Alvarado has been the one constant in the Phillies' bullpen amid their mind-numbingly frustrating struggles this season. He has excelled to the tune of a 1.72 ERA and 22 strikeouts to just two walks over 15 2/3 innings, making him unquestionably the Phillies' most reliable reliever at the moment.
Alvarado's downward movement on his high-velocity cutter makes him nearly impossible to make hard contact against. After leading the Phillies with 13 saves in 2024, Alvarado has reclaimed his role as the team's primary closer, with a perfect six saves in six opportunities thus far.
The Alvarado trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2021 was one of the first moves made by Dombrowski with the Phillies. It has turned into one of the best moves he has made with the organization, with this season being a culmination of a handful of impressive seasons by Alvarado. In his five-year Phillies career so far, Alvarado has recorded a 3.32 ERA with 36 saves and a dirty 11.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Alvarado is one of the National League's best late-inning relievers and he should be a first-time All-Star in 2025.
Kyle Schwarber, DH
In a crucial contract year for the fan-favorite slugger, Kyle Schwarber has delivered like Phillies fans have come to expect. He has been locked in, and leads the team with 10 home runs, 25 RBIs, and a .948 OPS. Schwarber has settled in nicely in the cleanup spot behind Bryce Harper, and is currently riding a career-high on-base streak of 38 games and counting (dating back to last season).
It's clear that Schwarber will thrive anywhere in the Phillies lineup, whether it's cleanup, third or leadoff, where he set an MLB record for most leadoff home runs in a single season last year.
Schwarber is a two-time All-Star who has already represented the Phillies at the event in 2022, when he also participated in the Home Run Derby. His production is sure to continue into the summer months, with his "June Schwarber" form starting soon. Shohei Ohtani is sure to be the NL's starting DH at this year's All-Star Game, but Schwarber is as strong a pick as any to join Ohtani in Atlanta.
After the Braves finish being this year's All-Star host, all eyes will be on the Phillies as they bring 2026's All-Star festivities to Citizens Bank Park.