Shohei Ohtani was named an All-Star starter in his first season with the Dodgers as the designated hitter. However, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández just missed out.
Betts lost to Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, 51 percent to 49 percent. Hernández lost to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich and San Diego Padres outfielders Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis had just 3,000 more votes than Hernández.
Hernández and Betts can still make the All-Star Game as reserves, but only Ohtani will be representing the Dodgers in the starting lineup.
Ohtani, in his first year as a Dodger, has been nothing short of sensational. The two-time American League MVP is slashing .320/.402/.646 with a National League leading 27 home runs and 64 runs batted in. He also leads the NL in OPS (1.048), OPS+ (195), total bases (212), and runs (69). He’s a current favorite to win the NL MVP award, and will be starting the All-Star Game in his first season in Los Angeles.
Betts was in the midst of an incredible year for the Dodgers, slashing .304/.405/.488 with 10 home runs and 40 runs batted in. He was doing this all while playing shortstop for the first time in his career, but wasn’t able to earn himself a starting nod, likely due to his injury. Betts is dealing with a fractured hand, and wouldn’t have been able to play in the game.
Finally, there’s Hernández, a player who’s turned into the steal of the offseason for Los Angeles. Hernández signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers to try to win a World Series,and has been one of the most important players in L.A.’s lineup.
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Hernández is slashing .254/.316/.480 with 18 home runs and 58 runs batted in. He’s already had tons of big moments, including a walk-off RBI single on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, he didn’t get enough votes to earn a starting spot.
