Carlos Correa Selected to 2024 All-Star Game, Multiple Twins Are Potential Replacements

The Minnesota Twins have been represented by multiple players in every All-Star Game since 2019. Some years, the players were part of the initially announced roster, and other times, there have been replacement players for injured or unavailable players. Last season, Sonny Gray and Pablo López represented the club, while Byron Buxton and Luis Arráez were the team’s representatives in 2022. So, who will represent the Twins in Texas at the 2024 All-Star Game?

2024 All-Star: Carlos Correa, SS
The AL has a pair of shortstops in the MVP conversation with Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. Both players were locks to make the roster, so it came down to whether or not the AL club wanted to have a third shortstop. Correa previously made the All-Star team in 2017 and 2021 with the Astros, but he has yet to be selected since joining the Twins. He’s having a resurgent offensive season with a 150 OPS+ and is the most well-known player on the team from a national perspective. 

The Twins have multiple other names on the roster who could be candidates to be injury replacements. So, let’s look at their chances of joining Correa in Texas. 

Joe Ryan, SP
Ryan has been the Twins’ best-starting pitcher throughout the 2024 campaign and ranks fourth on the team in rWAR. Since Ryan pitched on Saturday, his last scheduled start for the first half lines up to be Friday in San Francisco, making it more likely that he would be available to pitch an inning in the All-Star Game. Currently, Ryan ranks in the top 10 among AL pitchers in fWAR, and there will be more than ten starting pitchers on the roster, especially when other players pitch over the weekend. 

Willi Castro, UTL
Castro has arguably been the team’s MVP through the season’s first half. His defensive flexibility has been invaluable while posting a 124 OPS+. He is the first player in MLB history to appear in at least 20 games at second, third, shortstop, center field, and left field in the same season. Castro has the entire second half of the season to extend his record-breaking performance. The AL All-Star team might need someone with Castro’s defensive utility, and he certainly had a worthy first half. 

Ryan Jeffers, C
Early in the season, Jeffers looked like a lock to make the All-Star Game because he was among the league leaders in OPS. He ended April with a .947 OPS and continued to hit well in May with a .830 OPS. Jeffers struggled in June, with only two extra-base hits in 16 games. Adley Rutschman was selected as the AL’s starter, and Salvador Perez will back him up. Jeffers has a strong case If the AL squad wants a third catcher.

Griffin Jax, RP
Jax has been the team’s most dominant reliever and has an All-Star-caliber resume. However, there are relievers in closer roles who have compiled video game numbers that will make the team ahead of him. Every team needs a representative in the All-Star Game, which, unfortunately, pushes Jax out of the picture. 

Did the correct player get selected for the All-Star Game? Will any other Twins be added as replacement players? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.