July 7th 2024.
Logan Webb and Heliot Ramos have reached a major milestone in their careers as they have been selected to the All-Star team for the first time. This is especially significant for Ramos, who will become the first homegrown outfielder for the Giants to make an appearance in the Midsummer Classic since Chili Davis in 1986. But that's not all - both Webb and Ramos have a strong chance to start in the game as well.
It's been a while since the Giants have had multiple players starting in an All-Star Game, with Buster Posey and Johnny Cueto being the last pair to do so in 2016. But with Webb and Ramos in the mix, that could change this year. Webb, who has been one of the top pitchers in the National League, is expected to have his final start of the first half on July 10th, giving him ample time to rest before the All-Star Game on July 16th. However, he will have some tough competition from the likes of Chris Sale from the Braves, Ranger Suárez and Zack Wheeler from the Phillies, Tyler Glasnow from the Dodgers, and Paul Skenes from the Pirates.
As for Ramos, he may have an even better chance to start as the Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is currently dealing with an injury that will likely prevent him from participating in the game. This leaves National League manager Torey Lovullo with an open spot to fill, and Ramos, along with Teoscar Hernández from the Dodgers, Jackson Merrill from the Padres, and Bryan Reynolds from the Pirates, are all potential options.
Webb has certainly made a strong case for himself to be an All-Star this year. With his impressive performance in the first half, he now has a total of three All-Star selections to his name. In 2022, he had a 2.83 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings, and the following season, he had a 3.14 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 126 innings. Unfortunately, he was not chosen as an All-Star in 2023 because he started the Giants' final game of the first half. But this time around, there will be no snubbing him.
After finishing as the runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award last year, Webb has solidified his position as one of the most valuable pitchers in baseball. He has made 19 starts this season, logging 119 1/3 innings - the most in the National League and second-most in the entire league behind Seth Lugo from the Royals. Along with his impressive volume, Webb has also maintained a 3.09 ERA, 2.72 FIP, and 103 strikeouts.
While Webb's selection was highly expected, Ramos' candidacy was more uncertain. But with his stellar performance, he has proven to be a worthy addition to the All-Star team. As of Sunday, he has a .299 batting average, .882 OPS, 12 home runs, and 41 RBIs. He has also been a strong defensive presence in the outfield, saving five runs so far this season.
One of the main reasons for hesitation in considering Ramos as an All-Star was his limited playing time - he has only played in 54 games so far. However, his 2.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ranks in the top 25 among all National League position players, proving his value to the Giants' team. This is quite impressive, considering his slow start in his first two seasons, where he had a .158 batting average and .470 OPS over 34 games in 2022 and 2023. But in the last two months, the former first-round pick has truly come into his own and is showing great potential as a cornerstone player for the Giants.
Unfortunately, LaMonte Wade Jr. will not be joining Webb and Ramos in Arlington, Texas, due to an injury. Before his hamstring strain, Wade was one of the best hitters in the National League, boasting a .333 batting average and leading all of baseball with a .470 on-base percentage. His presence would have added even more depth to the Giants' representation in the All-Star Game.
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