Baltimore Orioles fans received a disappointing update on representation at the All-Star Game.
The Baltimore Orioles did not have a single player advance to Phase 2 of All-Star Game voting in the American League, a disappointing result for fans of a team that had several deserving candidates.
While the Orioles have had an underwhelming season overall, there were players who were at least worthy of advancing, and the results were hard to swallow.
The biggest snub was catcher Adley Rutschman, who missed out on advancing after losing the Phase 1 race to Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk. Kirk has played just 13 games this year but received a massive influx of votes due to Canadian fans rallying behind their country's only team, especially in the wake of Toronto's 2025 World Series run.
Rutschman is the far more deserving candidate. Although he has dealt with his own injury issues this season, appearing in just 54 games, he has been incredibly effective when healthy. He remains one of the best defensive catchers in the game while also being a force at the plate, posting a .254 batting average, .329 on-base percentage, .787 OPS, eight home runs and 40 RBIs.
Another snub was first baseman Pete Alonso, who is also deserving of recognition. The 31-year-old signed this offseason to a five-year, $155 million deal, one of the largest in franchise history. He had a slow start but has been one of the best hitters in the American League in June, posting a .300 batting average, .402 on-base percentage, .990 OPS, seven home runs and 19 RBIs. Unfortunately, he was not even close to advancing, finishing fifth at his position.
A third candidate who had a shot was designated hitter Samuel Basallo. Now in his first full big-league season, Basallo has put together a year worthy of at least advancing to Phase 2. However, he lost out to Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer for the second spot.
Rutschman, Alonso and Basallo will all still have a chance to make the team as reserves, and given what each of them has done this year, at least one of them should hear their name called. But not having a single starter represent Baltimore is a tough outcome for fans of a team with this much talent on the roster.
The Blue Jays' fan base advantage in voting has been well documented at this point, and it has cost multiple Orioles players a shot at Phase 2. The hope now is that the reserve selection process corrects at least some of what the fan vote got wrong.
