The Atlanta Braves have no shortage of potential All Stars, from the obvious and expected like Ronald Acuna, Matt Olson, and Sean Murphy, to the surprising like Orlando Arcia and Bryce Elder.
There's another member of the Braves squad that, while it seems unlikely he will get to Seattle for the All Star Game due to his role as a middle reliever, the numbers, statistics, data, and eye test all dictate that he should receive serious consideration.
"We love the guy and he's having the best season of his career at 39-years old. We're beyond the point of how good he is as a Brave versus other teams, that conversation has shifted to All Star," says Andy Bunker. "It's not just fun hot-take radio, it's conversation in the ballpark. That's the kind of season he's having."
Jesse Chavez has an ERA of just 1.55 and a K/BB rations of 4-to-1. He's got 13 holds on the season, has even recorded a save, and has already built up a WAR of 1.3
Chavez' 29 inning pitched is most among NL Relievers (although some of those innings came as an opener) and he's 2nd in the NL in holds behind just Peter Strzelecki of the Brewers.
Currently fans are excluded from voting on pitchers as they will be decided by player ballot and the commissioners office, so hopefully the season that Jesse Chavez has put forth will be recognized properly.
