Ballots are out and the Phillies could realistically have four position players in the All-Star Game, maybe five.
Bryce Harper, not having his strongest year though beginning to break out, remains immensely popular and will likely be voted in. Last season, he was one of the top two vote-getters among NL outfielders throughout all of June.
Rhys Hoskins has a .397 OBP, 13 home runs and 41 RBIs, top five in each category among NL first basemen.
J.T. Realmuto has better offensive numbers than every NL catcher except Yadier Molina and Yasmani Grandal.
Jean Segura leads all NL shortstops in batting average and is second in OBP.
Cesar Hernandez is third in batting average, OPS and extra-base hits among NL second basemen.
And this doesn't even include Andrew McCutchen, whose 42 runs and 41 walks lead all MLB leadoff hitters.
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Now, the strong numbers by themselves do not mean all of these players will make it. There has to be a representative from every team, which may hurt a Phillie here or there. Hernandez, for example, could miss out if Ketel Marte ends up as the Diamondbacks' lone All-Star. (Unlikely with the season Zack Greinke is having.)
Much can change between now and the middle of July, or even between now and the close of voting at 4 p.m. on June 21. But all of these players are deserving of a nod.
Hoskins may have the most difficult path of the five simply because first base is a deeper position. Freddie Freeman and Josh Bell are locks. Anthony Rizzo is having a better season than Hoskins. Goldschmidt is not, but the reputation may get him there.
The only other two Phillies making a case are Hector Neris (10 for 10 in saves, 1.90 ERA) and Zach Eflin (3.02 ERA, two complete games). Eflin is a longshot because of how many other All-Stars the Phillies will likely have and the sheer number of deserving starting pitchers.
All-Star Game starters will be announced on June 27 and full rosters on June 30.
The Phillies and Dodgers figure to have the most All-Stars of any NL team, with the Cubs not too far behind.
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