The absence of Juan Soto from the 2025 All-Star Game roster, held in Atlanta, surprised many MLB fans. Despite a slow start to the season, the Dominican consolidated himself in the second half, standing out with a .396 OBP and 21 home runs.
However, he was not chosen among the National League outfielders, sparking a discussion about whether it was a mistake or a decision consistent with the rules and performance at the time in the season.
Juan Soto’s case: Undeniable talent, but not called up
- After a slow start, Soto has shone in June: .396 OBP, 0.904 OPS, 21 home runs, and named Player of the Month. In that sense, many sports analysts consider him one of the best in his position during the first half of the season.
- Even so, the NL roster included figures such as Corbin Carroll, Kyle Stowers, Fernando Tatis Jr. and James Wood. The decision sheds light on how early season impacts can influence, and that a big rebound is not always enough to be considered.
Why was Juan Soto excluded from the All-Star Game?
- The All-Star selection combines voting by fans, players, coaches and decisions by MLB, plus rules such as that each team must be represented and respecting to be able to qualify in that case. With three players already sent by the Mets (Lindor, Alonso and Diaz), Soto could have been left out by this limit.
- Although his recent performance is excellent, Juan Soto had a weak start to the season: in April he hit .232 and in May .345 OBP, with moderate OPS. This may have tilted the balance against him when it came to voting for the players.
Juan Soto’s reactions from the environment and debate
Soto said:
I have to get better. Everybody wants to be an All-Star… this year it didn’t happen, I’ll do better next year
This message reinforces his professionalism and determination for his career, and recognises that, despite media support, rules and timing also count. Reddit reflected intense discussions: some argued that his exclusion was due to the “team requirement” of the Mets, others pointed out that since June, Soto sounds like MVP.
Key points about Juan Soto’s performance
- Elite performance in recent weeks, hard to ignore.
- Hired with a historic record, his exclusion generates a perception of lack of recognition.
- There are limits on representation per team, a structural factor.
- Other figures (Carroll, Tatis, Wood) also had great campaigns, even from the start of the season.
The selection system prioritizes balance between regularity, regional equity and variety of teams in the season. The omission made for Juan Soto in the 2025 All-Star Game did not go unnoticed: his great recent performance raises questions about the fairness of the choice.
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