Michael Conforto and Amed Rosario will represent the New York Mets during MLB All-Star Weekend. Rosario will participate in the Futures Game, while Conforto was named a reserve for the National League All-Star squad.
It’ll be Rosario’s second straight appearance in the Futures Game, an event which showcases the best young talent in the minor leagues. He went 1-for-2 with a run scored in last year’s contest for the World Team, which routed the U.S. team 11-3.
Conforto, a participant in the 2015 edition of the prospect showcase, will be making his first appearance in the main event of the weekend.
While Conforto is assuredly a worthy choice, strong cases could be made for some of his teammates.
Bruce, deGrom Snubbed
Just over a week ago, ESNY’s own Zachary Weisleder predicted that Jay Bruce would be overlooked for a spot on the National League All-Star team. It turns out that he was right.
A two-time All-Star, Bruce has been one of the few consistent bats in the Mets lineup. Entering Sunday, Bruce ranks sixth in the NL in home runs (20) and is hitting a respectable .261 with 55 RBI and a .853 OPS.
That wasn’t enough to book him airfare to Miami.
With the exception of a two-start stretch from May 31 to June 6, Jacob deGrom has been his usual deGrominant self. His name is all over the NL pitching leaderboards, where sits fourth in strikeouts (125), eighth in wins (8) and 10th in innings pitched (104).
Unless he’s selected as an injury replacement, he’ll be watching the festivities from his couch.
What’s Next
If the Mets are going to get back into the playoff hunt, they’re going to have to beat the teams ahead of them.
That includes the Washington Nationals, against whom they begin a three-game series Monday night at Nationals Park.
Steven Matz (2-1, 2.67 ERA) gets the start for the visitors, while the hosts counter with All-Star Steven Strasburg (9-2, 3.51 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET.