Francisco Lindor, acquired by the New York Mets in January 2021, has consistently performed as one of baseball’s premier players. Yet, it wasn’t until this year that he earned his first All-Star selection with the Mets. This article delves into the possible reasons behind this delay, examining factors such as competition in the National League, fan voting dynamics, and Lindor’s performance trends. It explores why a player of Lindor’s caliber had to wait to represent the Mets in the Midsummer Classic.
Despite his high WAR (Wins Above Replacement) rankings and significant contributions to the Mets, Lindor’s All-Star appearances have been surprisingly limited. This analysis will dissect the statistics, voting patterns, and other variables that shed light on this curious situation, offering fans and analysts a comprehensive understanding of Lindor’s All-Star journey.
Position Player WAR Leaders, 2021-2024
From 2021 through 2024, many position players showcased exceptional performance, measured by wins above replacement (WAR). However, even among the top performers, All-Star appearances varied significantly. According to FanGraphs, several players consistently ranked high in WAR but didn’t always receive the All-Star recognition their performance merited.
The following table highlights position player WAR leaders and their corresponding All-Star appearances:
|
Player
|
fWAR
|
All-Star Games
|
|---|---|---|
| Player 1 | 32.6 | 4 |
| Player 2 | 24.7 | 4 |
| Player 3 | 24.2 | 4 |
| Francisco Lindor | 23.7 | 0 |
| Player 5 | 23.5 | 4 |
| Player 6 | 23.1 | 4 |
| Player 7 | 21.9 | 4 |
| Player 8 | 21.5 | 3 |
| Player 9 | 20.9 | 3 |
| Player 10 | 20.0 | 3 |
| Player 11 | 19.3 | 3 |
| Player 12 | 19.2 | 3 |
| Player 13 | 19.0 | 2 |
| Player 14 | 19.0 | 3 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | 18.6 | 1 |
| Player 16 | 18.5 | 2 |
| Player 17 | 18.5 | 2 |
| Player 18 | 17.9 | 2 |
| Player 19 | 17.3 | 3 |
| Player 20 | 17.3 | 2 |
| Player 21 | 16.9 | 3 |
| Player 22 | 16.8 | 2 |
| Ronald Acuña Jr. | 16.8 | 3 |
| Player 24 | 16.7 | 2 |
| Player 25 | 16.1 | 1 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 16.1 | 4 |
Out of the 26 players listed, Francisco Lindor stands out as the only one without an All-Star appearance during this period, despite ranking fourth in WAR. This discrepancy prompts a deeper investigation into the factors influencing All-Star selections.
The Best Shortstops Have Been in the National League
From 2021 through 2024, Francisco Lindor led all shortstops in WAR, but the National League was home to other top shortstops like Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, and Corey Seager. Turner made three All-Star teams and Swanson two during this period, leaving little room for Lindor.
The presence of multiple high-caliber shortstops in the NL created intense competition for All-Star roster spots. This situation isn’t unique to Lindor; other deserving players like Willy Adames have also missed out on All-Star selections due to similar circumstances.
The limited number of All-Star slots relative to the pool of talented players often results in deserving athletes being overlooked. Lindor’s case exemplifies how positional competition can impact All-Star selections, regardless of overall performance.
Lindor Never Did Well in Fan Voting
Fan voting plays a significant role in determining All-Star starters. This year marks the first time in Lindor’s career that he has been elected at shortstop. In previous years with the Mets, he had not come particularly close to winning the fan vote.
Major League Baseball employs a two-phase voting system, with the initial phase creating a pool of finalists. Until this season, Lindor had only been a finalist once, in 2023, when Orlando Arcia surpassed him. The lack of strong fan support has been a barrier to Lindor’s All-Star aspirations.
Even after finishing second in MVP balloting, Lindor ranked seventh in fan voting among National League shortstops. This disconnect highlights the challenges he has faced in gaining widespread fan recognition.
Lindor Consistently Got Off to Slow Starts
Lindor’s seasons with the Mets have typically followed a pattern of sluggish starts followed by strong performance from mid-May onward. Because fan voting begins in early June, Lindor’s early-season struggles likely hindered his chances of gaining votes.
The table below illustrates Lindor’s numbers on June 1 in each of his five seasons with the Mets:
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | RBI | fWAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2021
|
0.194
|
0.294
|
0.294
|
0.588
|
4
|
11
|
0.7
|
|
2022
|
0.260
|
0.346
|
0.444
|
0.790
|
8
|
42
|
2.1
|
|
2023
|
0.223
|
0.294
|
0.427
|
0.721
|
10
|
40
|
1.2
|
|
2024
|
0.229
|
0.297
|
0.403
|
0.700
|
9
|
29
|
1.6
|
|
2025
|
0.283
|
0.356
|
0.483
|
0.839
|
12
|
33
|
2.7
|
In contrast, Lindor’s performance from June 1 onward has been significantly stronger:
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | RBI | FWAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2021
|
0.252
|
0.340
|
0.482
|
0.822
|
16
|
52
|
3.3
|
|
2022
|
0.274
|
0.335
|
0.452
|
0.787
|
18
|
65
|
4.3
|
|
2023
|
0.272
|
0.360
|
0.495
|
0.855
|
21
|
58
|
4.4
|
|
2024
|
0.300
|
0.372
|
0.558
|
0.930
|
24
|
62
|
6.2
|
These slow starts have impacted not only fan voting but also balloting by his peers, which occurs by late June. Early-season performance shapes the narrative around a player, influencing All-Star selections.
Lindor’s Defensive Value Is Often Overlooked in Favor of Offensive Prowess
The emphasis on offense in All-Star selections has often overshadowed Lindor’s defensive contributions. While his offensive numbers in late June were typically lower than those selected ahead of him, his exceptional defense often narrowed the gap in overall WAR.
Interestingly, Lindor made the All-Star team this year despite having his worst first half defensively with the Mets. This underscores the impact of offensive power on All-Star selections.
Conclusion
Francisco Lindor’s journey to his first All-Star Game appearance with the Mets has been marked by several challenges. Stiff competition in the National League, slow starts to the season, and the emphasis on offensive statistics have all played a role in delaying his All-Star recognition.
Despite these obstacles, Lindor’s consistent performance and significant contributions to the Mets have finally earned him a place in the Midsummer Classic. This selection validates his status as one of the game’s top shortstops and highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. As Lindor takes the field in Atlanta, he represents not only the Mets but also the dedication and resilience that define a true All-Star.
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