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.

2. Joey Gallo

Has the longest tenured active Texas Rangers player done enough to get to Denver?

This one is just because I love Joey and want him to thrive.

We don’t have to sugarcoat it. Joey Gallo doesn’t have the numbers to warrant an All-Star selection – quite the opposite, in fact. He has regressed significantly from his strong 2019 campaign.

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But what if I were to tell you there was an All-Star spot for guys who exemplify great character in the face of hardship? There’s not, but if it existed Joey would be a first-ballot selection. He’s openly addressed that he wants to be a key part of the Rangers rebuild. He hasn’t shied away from the trade rumors, and he has been a great locker room guy for a struggling ball club for years now. It’s not unreasonable to hope that he can return to 2019 form. He’s only 27, and no one can accuse him of immaturity or lack of effort. Give Joey Gallo the 2021 All-Star Who Hasn’t Really Done Anything But Still Just Should Be There Anyway spot.

The Rangers basically have full control over where Joey Gallo plays through the end of 2022, but his comments, if anything, prove that he wants to earn a hefty payday and stay here long term, so if the team is not motivated to trade him then we could hopefully see a spike in his offensive production in the 2021 second half and perhaps a return to form next year. Gallo is an extremely valuable player to have, regardless of his struggles, so if he doesn’t get that Good Guy All-Star spot in 2021, keep an eye out next year.