Francisco Lindor has finally broken his All-Star drought, marking a significant moment in his career, even though his recent performance has left much to be desired. A year ago, Lindor was notably snubbed from the All-Star roster despite showcasing impressive statistics. This season, however, some baseball enthusiasts argue that Elly De La Cruz, the talented shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, deserves the All-Star nod over Lindor. Interestingly, De La Cruz was not even among the finalists for the position, with Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers taking that honor.
This year's All-Star Game will mark Lindor’s first appearance at the event since 2019, when he played for the Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Indians). It's also noteworthy that this will be his inaugural start in the All-Star Game. The last time a shortstop from the New York Mets started in the Midsummer Classic was back in 2007, when Jose Reyes took the field. Reyes also had the opportunity to start in 2011 but was unable to participate due to an injury.
Despite his All-Star selection, Lindor is currently experiencing a significant slump, with a disappointing 8-for-60 batting performance that stretches back to June 15. This downturn has coincided with the Mets’ struggles, as the team has lost 14 of their last 17 games as they entered Wednesday night’s doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers.
As of now, Lindor’s statistics reflect a batting average of .255, with a slugging percentage of .442 and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .766. He has managed to hit 15 home runs, drive in 43 runs, and successfully steal 13 bases out of 15 attempts. However, his recent performance has seen a sharp decline, prompting Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to make a strategic decision.
In an attempt to spark Lindor's performance, Mendoza shifted him out of the leadoff position for the first time this year, placing him in the second spot in the batting order and moving Brandon Nimmo to leadoff. This change reflects a critical adjustment as the Mets seek to revitalize their struggling lineup.
Lindor stands as the only Mets player voted into the All-Star Game by the fans. In contrast, Pete Alonso finished second behind Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers, while Juan Soto also fell short of making the roster. However, both Alonso and Soto, along with closer Edwin Diaz, are expected to be selected as reserves on Sunday, enhancing the Mets' representation at the showcase event.
