This year, Joe Ryan represented the Twins in the All-Star Game, marking his first career appearance in the midsummer classic. Ryan ended up hurling one scoreless inning with two strikeouts in the Midsummer Classic as the American League lost to the National League via a swing-off to break a 6-6 tie.
Like Ryan did this year, this current Twin has an excellent opportunity to evolve into a first-time All-Star by next summer.
Jhoan Durán will evolve into a first-time All-Star by next summer
Although he may not be a member of the Twins next year, Durán has a good chance to make his first All-Star Game appearance in 2026. Considering his track record, it might come as a surprise to many that Durán has yet to appear in the Midsummer Classic. In 227 ⅔ innings across four major league seasons, he has a 2.41 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 73 saves, 288 strikeouts and 72 walks.
Durán is arguably having the best season of his career this season, posting a 1.66 ERA and 2.14 FIP with 15 saves, 49 strikeouts and 16 walks in 43 ⅓ innings. He is already on the verge of matching his most single-season bWAR, posting 2.2 bWAR already, while his career-high was 2.9 in 2022, his rookie season.
When looking at the relievers who made the American League All-Star team this season, it doesn’t make sense why Durán missed out on an All-Star bid. Aroldis Chapman has a 1.18 ERA and 17 saves, and Andrés Muñoz has a 1.50 ERA and 21 saves, but the other two relievers who made the team, Josh Hader and Carlos Estévez, have been good but not on par with Durán. Hader has a 2.53 ERA and 25 saves, and Estévez has a 2.36 ERA with 25 saves.
Durán may have been snubbed of an All-Star Game bid this season, and in other seasons as well, but he should get his time to shine in the Midsummer Classic by next year if he continues to dominate on the mound. Whether he does that in a Twins uniform or a different team’s uniform is uncertain.