Boasting a 10-2 record and dominant strikeout numbers, the Los Angeles Dodgers breakout southpaw finally secures his Midsummer Classic debut.
After much discussion, the Los Angeles Dodgers can breathe a sigh of relief.
There's no doubt Justin Wrobleski deserved to be named to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, but it took quite a bit of work for him to make it.
Philadelphia Phillies ace Zach Wheeler declined his All-Star Game invite, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that Wrobleski absolutely deserved this nod.
Wrobleski, 25, sports an incredible 10-2 record this season and is arguably one of the most underrated pitchers in all of baseball. Now, he has a chance to prove himself at the Midsummer Classic.
Wrobleski finally named an All-Star
The Illinois native is coming off a brilliant start on Tuesday, July 7. By that point, he already knew he wasn't an All-Star, but that further strengthened his case to go out there and deliver a performance for the ages.
Sure, it may have been against the National League West's last-place team, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Wrobleski threw 7.0 innings and allowed just one earned run on six hits. In the process, he struck out nine batters.
Wrobleski has recorded 20 strikeouts in his last two games. He's won three of his last four, and his ERA hasn't been over 3.00 since Friday, May 22.
He's far from a rookie, but at 25 years old, Wrobleski is finally finding his footing in the Dodgers' rotation. Previously, he had started just eight of his 32 appearances. Here in 2026, he's started all but one of the 16 games he's pitched in.
Wrobleski's selection took far too long
As always, there are a ton of moving pieces in the All-Star Game. Some pitchers are forced to pull out due to them earning another start before the break. In this case, Wrobleski was a late replacement, one that comes just three days before the game is set to commence in Philadelphia, Pa.
Regardless, Wrobleski and manager Dave Roberts knew this moment would come eventually. Even if it wasn't in 2026, Wrobleski has been working overtime to make sure he's a mainstay in this Dodgers rotation.
Knowing how deep this team's pitching staff is, it's incredible to think someone on a $790,000 contract is making this much of an impact.
Currently in his third year, Wrobleski won't become an unrestricted free agent until 2032. If the Dodgers can keep him around that long, they'll undoubtedly be even more of a force to be reckoned with than ever before.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
