These Mets have a chance to be All-Stars this year

Mets All Star No. 5: RP Edwin Diaz

A typical All-Star roster usually yields four relief pitchers, typically all closers, and Edwin Diaz has done enough to be part of that select group, for now.

Diaz leads all National League relievers with 41 strikeouts in 22.0 innings pitched and is tied for fourth with 11 saves, and among the seven closers with 11 saves, he has the second lowest ERA with a mark of 2.38. He has also struck out 45.5 percent of batters faced, which is the best mark in all of baseball through two months.

The name recognition alone, is enough for the coaching staff to consider when making thes decisions, but the value alone is what should drive Diaz's case to them. After all, baseball scouts have raved at Diaz's electric arsenal of pitches since he was a prospect with the Mariners several years ago, and now in 2022, Diaz is putting together arguably his best stretch of pitching since getting traded to the Mets four years ago.

Now, there should be some givens for the staff already with David Bednar of the Pirates, Josh Hader of the Brewers, and Taylor Rogers of the Padres as leaders. So the fourth and final relief pitcher selection will be a pure toss-up between Diaz, Devin Williams of the Brewers, and Kenley Jansen of the Braves. So nobody will know who will distinguish himself from the others, but Diaz has a chance and the talent to make the team.