Which Twins Rookie Pitcher Will Make the All Star Team?

Voting for the MLB All-Star game has always been a pastime for baseball fans each summer, but the one position the fans never get to decide on is pitching. All pitchers that make the American League and National League teams are always selected by their peers and coaches from across the league, leaving pitcher selections only as a discussion for fans.

This season, the Twins have two pitchers with good chances to become all-stars, both rookies, Joe Ryan and Jhoan Duran. Both rookies have had phenomenal seasons on the mound and could have the chance to see reward with their performances with all-star selections. However, it is likely only one of these two could make the team.

Who has the better chance of getting selected as the first phase of all star voting ends this week?

Joe Ryan’s Case

Before missing three weeks due to COVID-19, Ryan not only looked like he’d be an all star but also a top contender for the American League Rookie of the Year. Missing three weeks has put a setback in that campaign, but Ryan has some of the best numbers out of any rookie starter in MLB this season.

Ryan leads all rookie starters across MLB in ERA, with a minimum of 10 starts, at an even 3.20 and is only one of two starters in this group with an ERA below 4.00 season, MacKenzie Gore of the Padres being the other with a 3.34 ERA in 11 starts. 

On top of that, Ryan also has the best WHIP (1.12) and second best opponents batting average (.221), only trailing the Angels Reid Detmers in opponents batting average at .204 through 12 starts. Not to mention, leading all rookie starts in K/BB rate as well at 3.12. 

Although he is not leading in every rookie starter category, the argument can certainly be made by baseball fans that he is the most deserving of any rookie starter to make the trip to Dodger Stadium for the All Star game this summer. There is no telling how he will do in each of his starts between now and the break, but Ryan still has a good chance to make a case for himself to his peers and league coaches between now and then. 

Jhoan Duran's Case

Duran’s case to make the all star team may be an easier one for players and coaches to get behind. He has the fastest pitch on average in baseball at 100.6 MPH and is the anchor of a rocky Twins bullpen in June.

In all fairness, Duran has had only two truthfully bad relief appearances this season, both against A.L East contending teams. The first of which was back in April against the Red Sox on April 15, and the other June 9 at home against the Yankees. Aside from those two outings, Duran has been nearly untouchable. 

In his 25 relief appearances on the season, Duran has only had four in which he has surrendered a run. On top of that, Duran has posted a 12.4 K per 9 on the year as well as a 7.33 K to BB ratio, not to mention, the fastest clocked pitch in MLB so far this season at 103.8 MPH.

Duran has certainly proven himself to be among the best of the best when it comes to relievers in the American, let alone rookies. Baseball fans want to see the best of the best at the All Star Game each season, and Duran is the hardest thrower in all of baseball, which constitutes reason enough for many Twins fans.

Who will it end up being?

Right now it’s hard to say which Twins rookie pitcher will make the American League All Star team this season. Ryan and Duran both make compelling cases to be in Los Angeles on July 19, but they are up against a large number of starters and relievers that are considered to be deserving across the American League.

If this writer had to make an educated guess on which of these two will be the one to make the cut onto the A.L. All Star squad, it would be Duran. The American League relief core is not as strong as the National League and the flame throwing Duran makes the case to be among the best in LA this summer.