All-Star Snubs Include 2 Key Red Sox Contributors, MLB Insider Says
The Boston Red Sox will be well-represented at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game next week, with third baseman Alex Bregman, ace Garrett Crochet and closer Aroldis Chapman heading to Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga. But the Red Sox could have had at least two more All-Stars, according to The Athletic’s Chad Jennings.
Among his missing All-Stars was catcher Carlos Narváez, although Jennings said passing on the Boston backstop wasn’t an “egregious snub” and noted both the American League and National League squads each are carrying just two catchers for the time being.
“If either team had carried a third catcher, though, rookie Narváez would have been a great fit (and a great story),” Jennings wrote Sunday. “Acquired in a minor offseason trade from the rival New York Yankees, Narváez has been an above-average hitter (118 wRC+) with elite defensive metrics. The total package has the fourth-highest fWAR among MLB catchers. Narváez was supposed to be a backup, but he’s had an All-Star-caliber first half.”
The 26-year-old Narvaez is hitting .272 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs. His 2.7 WAR is third in the American League among catchers. The two players ahead of him — Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (5.7 WAR) and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk (3.0 WAR) — are on the All-Star roster.
But wait, there’s more from Jennings, who also listed Ceddanne Rafaela as one of his four outfield All-Star snubs.
“Rafaela is a curious case because he’s only slightly above-average as a hitter (101 wRC+), but he’s also a great baserunner, and defensively he’s one of three players to be worth 14 outs above average this season,” Jennings wrote. “It’s hard for a player to make an All-Star team strictly on the strength of his defense, but Rafaela made a case.”
It’s worth noting Rafaela is getting it done with the bat, too. His batting average (.264), on-base percentage (.307), slugging percentage (.456), OPS (.763) and WAR (3.3) are career highs.
In addition, Rafaela is red-hot right now, hitting .400 with two home runs, five doubles and five RBIs in the month of July. But it’s hard to argue with the outfielders currently on the AL All-Star roster:
- Aaron Judge, Yankees
- Riley Greene, Tigers
- Javier Baez, Tigers
- Byron Buxton, Twins
- Steven Kwan, Guardians
- Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
However, with eight days remaining before the All-Star Game, it’s possible Rafaela and/or Narvaez could be selected as an injury replacement, should the AL need to update its roster. So it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Boston’s All-Star squad expands before the Midsummer Classic.