3 Texas Rangers who should be All-Stars (but probably won’t be)

It’s been a rollercoaster of a year for the Texas Rangers, but one of the best parts of any MLB season, regardless of your team’s record, is that every July we come together and celebrate the best that baseball has to offer for some All-Star festivities.

There’s plenty of guys on the roster who have already staked their claim to an All-Star campaign. Adolis Garcia and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are surefire candidates who have, more often than not, been the reason the Rangers get any national attention in the baseball world. Or, at least, those are the guys who best represent the higher joys of the first half of this Rangers season.

An unfortunate part of All-Star voting lies in that there will always be players, year after year, who deserve a bit more credit for their performance. If the Rangers send anyone to Denver, it’s probably going to come down to Garcia or Kiner-Falefa due to how stacked the talent in the American League is this year.

Let’s take a look at a few dark horse candidates who might not get the nod, but haven’t been written off yet.

1. Ian Kennedy

Despite his strong numbers, will the Texas Rangers’ closer make it to Denver?

Ian Kennedy has turned a lot of heads in 2021, not just in Arlington. As of June 9, he ranks fourth in the American League in saves recorded with 12 (in 13 opportunities), and after a 2020 campaign that saw him surrender 14 runs in as many innings pitched while dealing with injury issues, he’s bounced back as well as anyone could’ve hoped – especially for a Texas squad that is missing its most dominant reliever in Jose Leclerc for the entire year.

Realistically, Kennedy’s WHIP and opposing batting average numbers will most likely keep him out of the midsummer classic, and it’s a bummer because he’s been a delight to watch out of the pen so far in 2021. The 36 year old has clearly found a comfort zone in his relief role since the Royals positioned him there in 2019.

The veteran is only signed through the end of this year and I expect him to be moved sometime around the deadline, but he’s been one of the Rangers more stable arms on the mound all season and deserves the credit for it. Though he recently got placed on the retroactive injured list, he should be able to get enough appearances and ride his hot hand – literally – for another month or so to warrant an All-Star selection.

3. Kyle Gibson

He has the credentials, but will the rest of the league take notice of the Texas Rangers’ ace?

Kyle Gibson has been the best starter for Texas in 2021, without question. As of June 9, he leads the American League in wins above replacement for pitchers (3.0), earned run average (2.06), and ranks in the top five in WHIP (1.005) and top ten in win probability added. Shoot, he’s been one of the best pitchers in the entire league, if not the best, despite his win-loss record being a subtle 4-0 – which is mostly due to his team’s offense and their inability to light up the scoreboard.

As I’m writing this, I’m thinking, you know what? He actually better be an All-Star or I’ll be upset! He’s having a career year! Opposing batters have the softest hard hit rate of Gibson’s career at 38.4%, he’s locating his pitches like a guy who’s been torching the league for years, he barely averages two runs allowed per nine innings, and he’s also increased his number of ground balls forced by a wide margin.

Unfortunately, Gibson is another one of the guys swirling through trade rumors as we veer into the summer, and I can’t see a situation where the front office doesn’t ship him while his value is insanely high. Enjoy him while we have him, Rangers fans. As for Gibby’s All-Star campaign, this is there’s no better time than now for him to enjoy his first midsummer classic appearance.