Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal was officially named to the American League All-Star pitching staff on Sunday, marking his second consecutive appearance at the Midsummer Classic. But while he welcomed his own nod, he didn’t hold back on what he felt was a glaring oversight: the underrepresentation of deserving teammates.
“To be honest, I’m a little disappointed with only the four guys we got,” Skubal told reporters, via The Athletic. “I think there’s a lot more deserving guys on our team. We got the best record in the American League. I would like to think we’d be more represented there.”
With Detroit holding the best record in baseball at 57–34, an impressive 13.5-game lead in the AL Central, the four All-Stars (Skubal, Riley Greene, Javier Báez and Gleyber Torres) look solid. But Skubal’s comments have spotlighted potential snubs, including power-hitting first baseman Spencer Torkelson and utility man Zach McKinstry, both of whom have strong statistical cases for a reserve spot.
Tigers’ Season Despite Snubs
The Tigers’ dominant stretch isn’t just about wins and standings; it’s backed by dominant performances, led by Skubal himself. His scoreless outing on Sunday dropped his ERA to 2.02, solidifying his status as one of the elite pitchers in baseball.
Moreover, he achieved a remarkable feat: becoming only the fourth left-handed pitcher in MLB history to record at least three starts in a single season with no runs, no walks, and 10+ strikeouts, joining the ranks of Koufax, Randy Johnson, and Clayton Kershaw.
However, baseball is a team game, and the Tigers’ success extends far beyond Skubal’s starts. Spencer Torkelson has been delivering consistent offensive output, while Zach McKinstry, often overlooked, has emerged as a multi-positional sparkplug who provides both versatility and energy. Meanwhile, Casey Mize, Detroit’s No. 2 starter, has already notched nine wins and could have been a logical addition to the All-Star roster as valuable pitching depth.
“I remember the Kansas City Royals had seven or whatever that one year they were good,” Skubal said. “We have the best team in baseball. I don’t see why we don’t have five or six guys [to] represent us. So maybe seven.”
Historical & League Context
It’s not often a team with the best record in baseball is underrepresented at the All-Star Game. The Los Angeles Dodgers, despite trailing Detroit in standings, secured five selections (three position players, two pitchers), and the Seattle Mariners also landed four players.
Skubal’s own historical performance isn’t just impressive, it’s practically unprecedented among active lefties. His ERA, WHIP (0.81), and strikeout totals (148) place him near the top of the AL–behind only Houston’s Hunter Brown in ERA, and tied with the best of the best.
Why is it that the Tigers don’t have more players going to Atlanta, though?
Part of the reason for Detroit’s lighter presence could be the way All-Star rosters are constructed. Fan voting often favors players with bigger national profiles, flashy offensive stats, or long-established reputations, which can overshadow emerging stars or players performing in smaller media markets.
Additionally, MLB’s requirement that every team must be represented can squeeze out deserving candidates on deeper rosters like Detroit’s, where talent is spread more evenly across the lineup rather than concentrated in a few headline names.
Chemistry and Comparisons to 2013
Beyond individual numbers, the 2025 Tigers have thrived on a remarkable team dynamic. The clubhouse is often described as loose yet fiercely competitive, with veterans like Báez setting the tone while younger players like Torkelson and Greene continue to evolve into everyday stars.
Manager A.J. Hinch has consistently praised the roster for buying into a team-first mentality, where contributions come from all corners rather than relying on a single superstar to carry the load. It’s this collective buy-in that has propelled Detroit to the best record in baseball (58-34), fueling both their confidence and their resilience during tough stretches.
Hinch echoed Skubal’s sentiments, acknowledging both pride for his current All-Stars and hopeful more players are recognized.
“Obviously celebrate the guys who get to go to Atlanta and participate in the All-Star Game,” Hinch said. “I hope that list grows…It’s the elite of the elite.”
It’s instructive to revisit 2013 when the Tigers roared to another strong start–although they weren’t leading baseball overall at that point, trailing contenders like Boston, Oakland, and St. Louis. Still, Detroit sent six players to the All-Star Game. The roster included Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Jhonny Peralta, Torii Hunter, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander.
Much of that representation stemmed from star reputation and marquee-level performance. Miggy was carrying on his Triple Crown-caliber pace, Scherzer had burst out 13-0, and Verlander was already a perennial Cy Young contender.
In comparison, today’s Tigers aren’t relying on a handful of superstars. Apart from Skubal, who is earning Cy Young buzz, most of Detroit’s standout contributors are steady performers or rising talents without household names yet.
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