J.T. Realmuto named to 2019 All-Star team; is lone Phillies rep
Adding the best catcher in baseball this offseason paid off.
MIAMI -- It is often a fight, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said, for J.T. Realmuto to accept an off day. Realmuto is on pace this season to play more than any catcher in franchise history. He is not only one of baseball’s premier catchers, but one of the most durable.
And it is that durability that Kapler thinks helped Realmuto win the respect of his peers, who selected him Sunday to be a reserve in the All-Star Game. Realmuto, who was selected for the second straight year, will be the lone Phillie on the National League squad in Cleveland on July 9.
“He wants to play every single day,” Kapler said of Realmuto. “There’s not many catchers who you think could possibly play 150 games. He’s one of those guys. So it’s not just his level of play, it’s not just what he brings to the clubhouse on a daily basis, it’s also that he does it on a daily basis like any other everyday player.”
Realmuto started Sunday’s 13-6 win over Miami and has appeared in 79 of the team’s first 84 games this season. He is on pace to eclipse Darren Daulton’s franchise mark of 147 games set in 1993. When Kapler lifted Realmuto Sunday because of a minor hamstring issue, the manager persuaded him to take a break by reminding him how often he plays.
“I want to be a guy who posts every day for my teammates,” Realmuto said. “I know it’s a tough position and it’s definitely a grind back there a lot of days. But for me, the most important thing is getting on the field and playing well and just being there for your teammates and having that accountability that you’re going to be there every day, playing.”
The Phillies traded for Realmuto shortly before spring training and proclaimed that they had acquired baseball’s best catcher. Another All-Star nod helps their case. They added five former All-Stars this offseason but will send just one to Cleveland.
Realmuto has a .750 OPS this season with 10 homers as his offensive production has dipped this season due to a rough month of June. Realmuto said he can “definitely play better.” He was slowed this month by a groin injury, which could explain his offensive numbers. He had two hits on both Saturday and Sunday, which the Phillies hope is a sign that he is pulling out of his funk.
“It’s pretty special for me, for sure. Being in it last year was a dream come true and being able to go again should be a lot of fun and a great experience,” Realmuto said. “I definitely enjoy playing [with the Phillies], which is the most important thing, and we have the chance to do some special things this season. We just have to play better and get rolling.”
Even when his offense dipped, Realmuto’s defensive performance never seemed to change. Always a good defender, Realmuto seemed to take his game to another level in the season’s first three months and solidify himself as one of baseball’s truly elite defensive catchers. Baseball Prospectus grades him as the second-best pitch framer, FanGraphs awards him the second-most defensive WAR among catchers, and he leads all of baseball in runners caught stealing.
“I think he’s been an emotional catalyst for us,” Kapler said. “If he’s not the best defensive catcher in baseball, then I don’t know who would be a better choice for best defensive catcher in baseball. His at-bats have continually gotten better and I think he’s a rock for us. He’s somebody that we all lean on and look to, to inspire the group. I think he’s been spectacular for us.”
2019 NL All-Star team
Starters
C: Willson Contreras, Cubs
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
SS: Javier Báez, Cubs
OF: Christian Yelich, Brewers
OF: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
Reserves
C: Yasmani Grandal, Brewers
C: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
1B: Pete Alonso, Mets
1B: Josh Bell, Pirates
2B: Mike Moustakas, Brewers
3B: Kris Bryant, Cubs
3B: Anthony Rendon, Nationals
SS: Paul DeJong, Cardinals
SS: Trevor Story, Rockies
OF: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
OF: David Dahl, Rockies
OF: Jeff McNeil, Mets
Pitchers
RHP: Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
RHP: Walker Buehler, Dodgers
RHP: Luis Castillo, Reds
RHP: Jacob deGrom, Mets
RHP: Zack Greinke, D-backs
LHP: Josh Hader, Brewers
LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
LHP: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers
RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals
LHP: Will Smith, Giants
RHP: Mike Soroka, Braves
RHP: Kirby Yates, Padres
2019 AL All-Star team
Starters
C: Gary Sánchez, Yankees
1B: Carlos Santana, Indians
2B: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees
3B: Alex Bregman, Astros
SS: Jorge Polanco, Twins
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: George Springer, Astros
OF: Michael Brantley, Astros
DH: Hunter Pence, Rangers
Reserves
C: James McCann, White Sox
1B: José Abreu, White Sox
1B: Daniel Vogelbach, Mariners
2B: Tommy La Stella, Angels
3B: Matt Chapman, A’s
SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians
OF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF: Joey Gallo, Rangers
OF: Austin Meadows, Rays
OF: Whit Merrifield, Royals
DH: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox
Pitchers
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Yankees
RHP: Gerrit Cole, Astros
RHP: Lucas Giolito, White Sox
RHP: Shane Greene, Tigers
LHP: Brad Hand, Indians
LHP: John Means, Orioles
LHP: Mike Minor, Rangers
RHP: Charlie Morton, Rays
RHP: Jake Odorizzi, Twins
RHP: Ryan Pressly, Astros
RHP: Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays
RHP: Justin Verlander, Astros