Three Rockies who deserve to be elected to the MLB All Star game
![92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/113/01h120qjhpn13y5sqzn0.jpg)
Seattle has hosted the All-Star game twice in the city’s history of professional baseball. The first time was in 1979 at the iconic Kingdome and then in 2001 when it was held at T-Mobile Park formerly known as Safeco Field. The game is now set to return back to Seattle on July 11. for the first time in 22 years.
The MLB All Star Game is one of baseball’s highest honors and has been a vital part of summer tradition as the game has often been referred to as the mid-summer classic. This game features the best stars the sport offers and is arguably the most competitive All-Star game in all professional sports.
Last year, CJ Cron was the only player to represent the Colorado Rockies in the summer classic. This year, the Rockies have been a sneaky under-the-radar team and would be talked about more if they didn’t have their struggles at starting pitching which has resulted in a bulk of their losses. The team is currently in last place in the NL West with a record of 19-28 and ranks 27th in ERA.
Despite the starting pitching not being the highlight of 2023, the bullpen and has offense has been the biggest strengths and identity of this team as they are a little over a month and a half into the season. The Rockies offense is a top 10 offense in all of baseball as they are 10th in batting average in the MLB and are leading the National League in doubles and fifth in hits.
The Rockies are a team that is improving and getting better every day and are much better this year than they were last year and are very deserving to have multiple players represent them in the 2023 All Star game. I compiled a list of three players I think deserve to play in the mid-summer classic.
3. Justin Lawrence
![Milwaukee Brewers v Colorado Rockies](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/113/01h1213scn3tq03bb8af.jpg)
Lawrence is starting to hone into his own in the 2023 season. He was originally a 12th-round pick for the Rockies in 2015. His first two years in the league were a little rocky as he finished last year with a 5.70 ERA and went back and forth from AAA Albuquerque to Colorado. Finally, Lawrence has found his spot in the bullpen and has been one of the most reliable pieces for the Rockies.
This year, Lawrence holds a 2.16 ERA, 28 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched. He also is tied for sixth place in innings pitched in all of baseball. Lawrence is a special pitcher that teams need as he is someone that can pitch in multiple innings for the Rockies and can hold a lead for the team as he leads the team with five holds.
Justin Lawrence, Sick Sweepers. 🧹🧹🧹 pic.twitter.com/MWOOsV3X6c
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 10, 2023
This will be the first all-star game he has been selected two in his three year MLB career. Lawrence might be a snub in the All Star Game just because he ranks 17th in all of MLB relief pitching but if he can step it up for the rest of May and all of June, there is no doubt he doesn’t make the All Star team.
2. Elias Diaz
![Philadelphia Phillies v Colorado Rockies](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/113/01h121aarcbc1c16h80g.jpg)
Elias Diaz ranks number two on the list but might be one of the most deserving players in all of baseball to be selected to this game. The eight-year veteran catcher has never been selected to an MLB All Star game as he has spent half his career between Pittsburgh and Colorado.
Diaz however, is arguably having the best year of his career this year as he is arguably the Rockies best hitter in 2023. This year, he is leading them in hitting with a .326 batting average, 22 RBIs, and in OBP. He also is leading the National League with 43 hits.
7 RBI including a walk-off homer for Elias Díaz!
— MLB (@MLB) September 10, 2022
(MLB x @CapitalOne) pic.twitter.com/8gabd08H32
Diaz should no doubt make the all-star team in 2023. But he will need to improve in other areas of hitting if he wants to make a push to start in the mid-summer classic as Sean Murphy is proving to be the front runner to start in the game.
1. Brent Suter
![Cincinatti Reds v Colorado Rockies](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/113/01h121gzw87wrq2r8g8q.jpg)
Suter is one of the most dominant relief pitchers in all of baseball right now as the 6’4” left-handed pitcher from Chicago Illinois is in his seventh season in baseball and in his first season in Colorado after being claimed off waivers in November from the Milwaukee Brewers. Since then, this has been one of the best moves the team has made. Suter also was very impressive in April and has brought that momentum into May and looks to dominate in 2023.
Right now, he is ranked fourth in the NL with a 0.94 ERA. Followed by that, he has 26 strikeouts on the year with a 0.94 WHIP. He also has proven to be another reliever for the Rockies that can pitch multiple innings for them as he is second in the NL for innings pitched.
Brent Suter, 20 second Strikeout. ⏱️
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 26, 2023
and ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/LgYbIVshTC
If elected to the MLB All Star game, this would be the first in his seven-year career.