Mets manager Carlos Mendoza on Juan Soto's 2025 All-Star Game snub: 'He's an All-Star for us'

When the 2025 MLB All-Star teams were announced, baseball fans noticed one major name was missing. That would be New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto, who overcame a slow start to put up his normal, excellent numbers.

Despite his recent surge — Soto is hitting .283/.415/.575 since May 1 — the outfielder was a popular addition to every publication's snub list. To further shove that point down everyone's throat, Soto turned in yet another excellent performance in the Mets' 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. The outfielder went 3-for-5 in the contest, singling in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to lead the team to another win.

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Following that victory, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza responded to Soto's All-Star snub, saying the outfielder is "an All-Star for us."

It's hard to argue against that. Soto is hitting .269/.399/.509 over his first 91 games with the Mets. His 162 OPS+ indicates he's been 62 percent better than the average major-league hitter and ranks second on the team, just behind Pete Alonso, who did get an invite to the All-Star Game.

Though Soto was snubbed, there's still a chance he gets the All-Star call. Injuries and pitching schedules can lead to replacement being named ahead of the game. Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays fans saw that phenomenon Tuesday, as Andrew Abbott and Junior Caminero were named to the team as injury replacements. If any National League outfielder drops out of the game, Soto will likely be the called upon as a replacement.

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Mendoza said he hopes that's the case, per ESPN.

"It's frustrating, but I'm hoping in the next couple of days we hear something and he makes it."

If Soto is named an All-Star, it would mark the fifth time in his eight seasons he's received the honor. Despite his various changes of scenery after leaving the Washington Nationals, Soto hasn't missed a beat. He remains one of the best hitters in the game thanks to his elite blend of patience and power.

Missing out on the 2025 MLB All-Star Game doesn't change any of that, of course. But if the game is supposed to feature the best talents in MLB, Soto should probably be there.