Spotlight: Left Out, But Not Outplayed

Let’s just say it—Seiya Suzuki absolutely deserves to be in Atlanta for the All-Star Game. By mid-July, he’s doing everything you’d want from a middle-of-the-order bat. He’s been one of the most dangerous run producers in all of baseball. With 77 RBIs, the only guy ahead of him is Aaron Judge. That’s it. Suzuki’s been the offensive engine for a Cubs team leading the always-tough NL Central. And it’s not just empty numbers—he’s doing it with real power. He’s launched 25 homers already, and 11 of those came in the last 30 games leading into the break. This is easily the best stretch of his career since coming over from Japan in 2022.

But to really understand Suzuki’s impact, you’ve got to look a little deeper than the surface stats. Sure, his .263 average and .322 on-base percentage are decent, but they don’t tell the full story. When the Cubs need a big hit—like with runners in scoring position—Suzuki turns into a monster. He’s hitting .323 in those spots with a slugging percentage of .677. That’s not just clutch hitting—that’s elite.

Advanced stats back it all up, too. His OPS+ is 146, which basically means he’s 46% better than the average MLB hitter when you factor in ballparks. That’s serious All-Star territory. His .551 slugging percentage puts him in the 97th percentile, and his hard-hit rate ranks in the 93rd. He’s crushing the ball and doing it consistently. If you’re building an All-Star profile on a guy who’s helping his team win, Suzuki checks every box.

So what happened? Why is he not going to Atlanta?

Well, part of the problem is just how stacked the field is this year—especially in the National League outfield and DH spots. He’s going up against some serious star power, including two of his own teammates.

Let’s start with the obvious: Shohei Ohtani. The guy’s a lock. He led the league in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage, and OPS. Oh, and he came back to pitch after elbow surgery like it was nothing. Ohtani got the most fan votes in the NL and was always going to grab the DH spot that Suzuki might’ve had a shot at. Then there’s Kyle Schwarber. He’s having his best season ever—29 home runs, .936 OPS, and he’s finally figured out how to hit lefties. There’s no real argument there either.

And then there’s the Cubs situation. It’s kind of wild. They’ve already got two outfielders starting in the All-Star Game, and both totally earned it. Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) has turned into a complete superstar. He’s got the same power numbers as Suzuki—25 homers and 70 RBIs—but also 27 stolen bases and game-changing defense in center field. His 5.6 WAR blows Suzuki’s 2.1 out of the water, mostly because PCA’s defense and baserunning are in the top percentiles in all of baseball. He’s a highlight reel every night.

Then you’ve got Kyle Tucker, who the Cubs picked up in the offseason. He’s not flashy, but man is he consistent. A .390 on-base percentage, 17 homers, 22 stolen bases, and a 4.1 WAR make him one of the toughest outs in the league. Put it all together, and yeah, it’s hard to argue Suzuki over either of those guys.

That’s what really hurt Suzuki—he’s not just competing with the rest of the National League. He’s stuck behind two MVP-caliber players on his own team. Even if you think he should’ve been chosen, it’s hard to make the case that the Cubs should send three outfielders.

And then there’s the way All-Star rosters are actually built. After fans pick the starters and players vote for a chunk of the reserves, the Commissioner’s Office steps in to fill out the rest. Their job? Make sure every single MLB team has at least one representative at the game. So for the last few spots, it’s not just about who’s having the best season—it’s about making sure every team is included.

That puts someone like Suzuki in a tough spot. The Cubs already have three All-Stars—PCA, Tucker, and pitcher Matthew Boyd. They’re well-represented. So when it came time to pick those final outfield or DH spots, Suzuki gets passed over in favor of guys from teams that didn’t have anyone yet. That’s not a knock on those players, but it does mean someone like Suzuki, who arguably earned it more on paper, gets left out.

It’s frustrating, honestly. When a guy is driving in runs like crazy, hitting in the clutch, and ranking among the best hitters in the game by nearly every advanced stat, you expect to see him on the All-Star roster. But sometimes the numbers don’t matter as much as the politics of how the team gets built.

And that’s how Seiya Suzuki ends up watching the All-Star Game from home instead of being on the field—despite putting together one of the best first halves of anyone in the league.

Note: Stats are as of mid-July 2025. Source: baseball-reference.com.

Here’s the thing, folks: The stats shows a clear hierarchy which explains why Suzuki was subbed as a result of every team being required to send one at least one player. The system forced a choice between the third-best outfielder on a great team and the best players on losing teams, and the rulebook required the latter to be chosen.

With that… Suzuki’s All-Star snub was a perfect storm of circumstance. His excellent performance was overshadowed by historic seasons from his competitors and teammates, and the very structure of the selection process worked against him. There’s always next year if he can have another great year with the bat leading up to the break.

If you cannot play with them, then root for them!