When the 2025 MLB All-Star rosters were unveiled, one name conspicuously absent sparked frustration among Los Angeles Dodgers fans: Andy Pages. The 24-year-old center fielder has been one of the breakout stars of the first half of the season, leading the team in RBIs and trailing only Shohei Ohtani in home runs. Yet, despite a performance worthy of the Midsummer Classic, Pages will be watching from home.
Early Struggles, Rapid Growth with Dodgers
Pages’ season didn’t begin as smoothly as the numbers now suggest. Through the first 25 games, he batted just .183 and committed multiple defensive miscues in center field. But rather than unravel, he rebounded — and quickly. As of the All-Star break, Pages is slashing an impressive .293/.332/.503 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs, tying Ohtani for the team lead in the latter. He also ranks in the 84th percentile in expected batting average and continues to emerge as one of the better defensive outfielders in the league.
Voting Fallout: The Numbers Didn’t Win
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Pages advanced to the second phase of fan voting, but ultimately fell short, edged out by Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker. That left open the possibility that he might be selected as a reserve, either by player vote or as a Commissioner’s pick. But when ESPN announced the full National League roster, Pages’ name was once again left off. Instead, Corbin Carroll, Kyle Stowers, Fernando Tatis Jr., and James Wood were tapped to round out the NL outfield.
Stowers and Wood made sense under the rules — MLB requires every team to be represented, and both players have had solid seasons. Wood’s .288 average and .940 OPS, combined with his Home Run Derby selection, helped cement his place.
But the choice of Tatis over Pages is what truly lit a fire under fans.
The Tatis Controversy
Fernando Tatis Jr., while still an elite talent, trails Pages in nearly every major offensive category this season. Pages leads him in batting average, home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, and OPS. And while Tatis remains the Padres’ most valuable position player, his inclusion — particularly over Pages — felt less like a reward for performance and more like a market-driven decision.
Dodgers fans weren’t subtle in their response. Social media exploded with frustration, with many pointing to the perceived anti-Dodgers sentiment in national media and suggesting the league “threw the Padres a bone” to balance the three Dodgers starters: Ohtani, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman.
“It’s not just the numbers,” one fan posted. “Pages has been everything you want in an All-Star — breakout story, elite production, and he plays in center field on a title contender. What else does he need to do?”
Bigger Goals Still Ahead
Still, the Dodgers’ focus isn’t on midseason awards — it’s on October. While Pages may not get the All-Star nod this year, he’s already made his presence known in Los Angeles and across the league. His All-Star moment will come. For now, a second ring might be the more satisfying consolation.
As for MLB’s decision? Fans won’t forget it — especially if Pages continues to outperform those who made the cut.