After the complete rosters were revealed for the 2023 All-Star Game, one omission from the Los Angeles Angels came from a newcomer having a career year in Carlos Estévez.
The 30-year-old joined the Angels in the offseason after general manager Perry Minasian believed strongly enough in Estévez’s second half last year, earning him a multi-year contract. A rough spring camp raised some eyebrows, but the hard-throwing righty has overwhelmingly been far better than expected.
Estévez owns a 1.85 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, with 21 saves in as many opportunities. He is the only closer in the American League without a blown save (minimum 10 save opportunities).
Being snubbed from the All-Star roster struck a chord with Angels manager Phil Nevin, especially because of the start Estévez has had thus far, per J.P. Hoornstra of the O.C. Register:
“That one’s a tough one for me,” Nevin said. “As far as closers go … I’m not sure what it takes to be deserving. I’m certainly happy to have him on my side now. Things can change throughout the week and hopefully, he gets a chance to go.”
With how the rosters shake out, there could be room for Estévez as a replacement selection, but he believes he earned the right to represent the Angels in Seattle alongside his teammates:
“It’s crazy, but it is what it is,” Estevez said. “It sucks, but they picked their guys. I don’t know what else I have to do.”
Because of the various routes that players are selected, Estévez wasn’t a candidate for a gimme-selection as a forced representative. The two voted in relievers are Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano from the Baltimore Orioles, both of which deserve the slot.
Other relievers who made the AL roster over Carlos Estévez?
Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox has a 3.45 ERA with 17-of-20 chances, meanwhile, Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians owns a 3.40 ERA, and although he’s tied for the most saves in the AL, he’s blown six. Estévez said prior to the announcement that getting the nod was an honor that would mean the world to him, per Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“Everyone wants to go to an All-Star game,” Estévez said. “The ones that say that they don’t want to go, I don’t know what’s on their mind. You’re up here for many years and you get to go at least once, it would be amazing.”
Estévez is now in his seventh season in MLB, and it would have been his first career All-Star selection.
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