Despite Outstanding Stats, Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi Snubbed from All-Star Team But Receives $100K Bonus

The All-Star Snub That Shocked Baseball Fans

Nathan Eovaldi's 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular, yet the 35-year-old right-hander found himself watching the All-Star Game from home instead of participating in Atlanta's Truist Park. Through 16 starts this season, Eovaldi has compiled a remarkable 7-3 record with a microscopic 1.58 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a dominant .194 opponent batting average over 91 innings. His performance has been so exceptional that many baseball analysts and fans were left scratching their heads when the American League All-Star roster was announced without his name on it. The snub became even more controversial when considering that rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski from the Milwaukee Brewers, who had only made 5 starts (4-1, 2.81 ERA) in his debut season, received an All-Star selection. This disparity highlighted what many perceived as an oversight by the selection committee, sparking debates across social media platforms and sports talk shows about the criteria used for All-Star selections.

Texas Rangers' Classy Response: A $100,000 Statement

The Texas Rangers organization demonstrated their unwavering support for Eovaldi by awarding him his contractual $100,000 All-Star bonus despite his absence from the Midsummer Classic. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Rangers felt that Eovaldi's exceptional performance merited the same recognition and compensation as if he had been selected for the All-Star team. This gesture speaks volumes about the organization's values and their commitment to acknowledging outstanding performance, regardless of external recognition. The bonus payment wasn't just a financial reward; it was a powerful statement that the Rangers recognize elite talent and will stand behind their players when they feel injustices have occurred. This decision also reflects the team's understanding of Eovaldi's value to their rotation and their desire to maintain a positive relationship with one of their most reliable starters. The move has been widely praised by players, agents, and baseball insiders as an example of how organizations should treat their star performers.

Breaking Down Eovaldi's Dominant 2025 Numbers

The statistical case for Eovaldi's All-Star inclusion is overwhelming when examining his 2025 performance in detail. His 1.58 ERA would lead Major League Baseball if he had sufficient innings to qualify for the leaderboard, but a triceps injury in late May cost him a month of action and left him short of the 97 innings needed for official statistical recognition. Beyond the impressive ERA, Eovaldi's WHIP of 0.85 ranks among the best in baseball, demonstrating his exceptional command and ability to limit baserunners. In 91 innings pitched, he has issued only 14 walks while striking out 94 batters, showcasing remarkable control and power. His opponent batting average of .194 indicates that hitters are struggling to make solid contact against his diverse arsenal of pitches. Even more impressive is his consistency – Eovaldi has allowed zero or one run in 11 of his 16 starts this season, and he won his last three starts heading into the All-Star break. These numbers place him firmly in the conversation for Cy Young Award consideration, making his All-Star omission even more puzzling to baseball observers.

The Injury Factor: How Timing Affected His All-Star Chances

The primary factor working against Eovaldi's All-Star selection was the triceps injury that sidelined him for approximately one month during the crucial first half of the season. This injury occurred at the worst possible time, as All-Star voting and selection processes typically favor players who have been consistently available and visible throughout the first half. While his per-inning statistics were phenomenal, the reduced number of starts compared to other candidates likely influenced the selection committee's decision-making process. The injury also prevented him from reaching the innings threshold that would have made him eligible for official ERA leadership, which could have strengthened his All-Star case significantly. Despite returning to form immediately after his recovery, the missed time created a perception gap that may have cost him the recognition he deserved. This situation highlights one of the ongoing challenges in All-Star selection processes – how to balance peak performance against availability and total contribution. Many argue that Eovaldi's dominant performance in the games he did pitch should have outweighed the innings limitation, but the reality of selection politics often favors volume statistics over rate statistics.

Jacob deGrom's All-Star Selection and Bonus Comparison

Adding context to Eovaldi's situation, his Rangers teammate Jacob deGrom was selected for the 2025 All-Star Game and received his contractual $100,000 bonus for the honor. DeGrom's selection marked his fifth career All-Star appearance and his first as a member of the American League, having previously been selected four times while playing for the New York Mets. This season, deGrom has compiled a 9-2 record with a 2.13 ERA over 17 starts, striking out 100 batters across 101.1 innings while limiting opponents to a .191 batting average. While deGrom's numbers are certainly impressive and worthy of All-Star recognition, the comparison with Eovaldi's statistics reveals just how exceptional the latter's performance has been. Both pitchers have been crucial to the Rangers' success in 2025, but Eovaldi's rate statistics in several categories actually surpass those of his All-Star teammate. The fact that both players received the same $100,000 bonus – one for making the team and one for being snubbed – demonstrates the Rangers' commitment to recognizing excellence regardless of external validation. This parallel situation within the same rotation has become a talking point about the subjective nature of All-Star selections and how different criteria can lead to different outcomes for similarly performing players.

The Path to 100 Wins: Eovaldi's Career Milestone Within Reach

Beyond his 2025 All-Star snub, Nathan Eovaldi is approaching a significant career milestone that underscores his longevity and success in Major League Baseball. Currently sitting at 98 career wins with 84 losses and a 3.93 ERA over his 14-year career, Eovaldi needs just two more victories to reach the prestigious 100-win plateau. This milestone would represent a significant achievement for a pitcher who has overcome numerous injuries and setbacks throughout his career, including Tommy John surgery and various other ailments that have tested his resilience. His journey to this point has taken him through six different organizations – the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and now the Texas Rangers – each stop adding to his experience and baseball acumen. The fact that he's performing at such an elite level at age 35 speaks to his dedication to conditioning, mechanics, and the mental aspects of pitching. Reaching 100 wins would not only be a personal achievement but also a testament to his ability to reinvent himself and maintain effectiveness even as his career has progressed into its later stages. For Rangers fans, witnessing this milestone would add another layer of significance to what has already been a remarkable 2025 season.

Fan Reactions and Baseball Community Response

The baseball community's reaction to Eovaldi's All-Star snub has been overwhelmingly supportive of the veteran pitcher and critical of the selection process. Social media platforms have been flooded with posts from fans, analysts, and former players expressing disbelief at the omission and praising the Rangers for their bonus decision. Many have pointed to his exceptional rate statistics as clear evidence that he deserved a spot on the American League roster, with some arguing that his performance has been more impressive than several pitchers who were selected. The controversy has reignited discussions about All-Star selection criteria and whether the process adequately recognizes peak performance versus cumulative statistics. Baseball purists have particularly appreciated Eovaldi's old-school approach to pitching, combining power with precision in a way that harkens back to earlier eras of the game. The Rangers' decision to award him the bonus has been universally praised as a classy move that demonstrates organizational values and player appreciation. This positive public relations moment has enhanced the Rangers' reputation as a player-friendly organization, potentially helping them in future free agent negotiations and player retention efforts. The widespread support for Eovaldi has also highlighted the respect he has earned throughout his career, not just for his on-field performance but for his professionalism and work ethic.