Here are three San Diego Padres players who could be first-time All-Star Game selections.
Unexpectedly, the San Diego Padres are currently sitting at 32-21 and only three games behind the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers. They’ve been one of the most exciting teams to watch and exceptional on the road with a 19-11 record. Most of their success has been due to their pitching. According to MLB.com, they currently rank fifth in the NL in team ERA at 3.35, sixth in NL in strikeouts, and fifth in team WHIP.
When it comes to their success at the plate — not so much. They’re tied in last place in team homeruns and rank in the bottom half of the NL in team batting average and hits. Needless to say, they miss Fernando Tatis Jr. Manny Machado has been prodigious at the plate, but that’s nothing new.
With that being said, here are three guys that have taken strides and have been a huge attributions to the Padres’ remarkable play in the first half of the season that could become first-time All-Stars.
RHP Joe Musgrove
The time is now to go all in and extend Musgrove’s contract before the price tag increases. We’ve recently seen other guys receiving huge contract extensions like the Houston Astros giving Yordan Alvarez a six year extension worth $115 million. Talks have been ongoing between Musgrove and the Padres, but back in April was the last offer and it was rejected by Musgrove.
Report: Padres' Musgrove rejected 8-year extension offer https://t.co/99F5hjuyFL pic.twitter.com/wNOe7JH00t
— theScore MLB (@theScoreMLB) April 29, 2022
Essentially, every time he steps on the mound the price goes up. He’s been that good this season. He has a 6-0 record with a 1.64 ERA, and 0.92 WHIP. Not to mention, he almost threw a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers a couple of days ago.
No-hitter or not — and it was until 8th — Joe Musgrove is once again dominant. Most quality starts in majors. Every start he’s had, with the exception of one, has resulted in a #Padres win. Continues to learn & improve; never satisfied, and understands himself better than ever.
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) June 4, 2022
Not only did he just outduel last year’s NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, but he solidified his name as a candidate for that award this year. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, The Padres are 9-1 when Musgrove starts. He is the biggest reason behind the Padres’ unparalleled play so far this season and not only will become a first-time All-Star, but if he continues this dominance on the mound, we got to start talking NL Cy Young possibilities.