First All-Star voting update confirms Mariners' Julio Rodríguez has become underrated

The first wave of All-Star voting results has landed — and if you’re a Seattle Mariners fan, it’s fair for your jaw to be on the floor.

Julio Rodríguez, one of the most dynamic outfielders in baseball, ranks ninth among American League outfielders. Ninth. As in, barely scraping the bottom of the top 10. As in, buried behind names like George Springer, Mike Trout (who’s played in barely enough games), and Javier Báez (I’m sorry…what?). Good players, sure, but not delivering like Julio.

Let’s be frank, this isn’t just a snub. It’s a complete misread of what Julio Rodríguez brings to the game — statistically, athletically, and emotionally.

Julio Rodríguez snubbed in first All-Star voting update despite elite production

Rodríguez currently ranks second among all AL outfielders in WAR (2.5) behind only Aaron Judge, who leads all of baseball in just about everything and rightfully sits atop the voting leaderboard for outfielders. But J-Rod? The guy who’s played elite center field defense and posted 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases? He’s not even cracking the top five?

This is a 24-year-old who’s been a top-five WAR outfielder every season of his career. He’s a Gold Glove-caliber defender who’s tracking toward another 25-25 season, and the only thing he’s done “wrong” is not live up to the impossible expectations placed on him.

Somehow, early-season lulls have clearly tainted his reputation, at least in the minds of casual fans and national media. But pretending he isn’t one of the best outfielders in baseball isn’t just lazy — it’s flat-out incorrect.

And if you're one of those people who wants to nitpick his 12-year, $209 million contract, let’s put that in perspective. Rodríguez's $17.4 million AAV is a bargain compared to others in his pay range. You know who else is making around that number? Michael Conforto, who's making $17 million to hit .170 with four homers.

Okay, that was low-hanging fruit. Let’s try a tougher comp, like Brandon Nimmo. He’s earning $20.2 million annually and typically puts up solid numbers, averaging a 4.1 WAR per season over his career. Respectable. But Rodríguez's ceiling is simply higher — he owns a career average WAR of 6.2 and has already proven he can surpass Nimmo’s best seasons with ease.

Rodríguez is producing at an elite level on both sides of the ball, anchoring a Mariners team that’s clawing for the top of the AL West despite a battered rotation and inconsistent offense. His reliability and athleticism have been constants, and he’s done it all while shouldering the load and attention as the franchise “superstar.”

He was fast-tracked to the majors at 21, has played with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders ever since, and has consistently delivered more than what was ever reasonably expected of him. There’s nothing fluky or hollow about his production — he shows up, he performs, and he does his absolute best to get wins.

So no, this isn’t just about All-Star votes. This is about respect. It’s about giving credit to a player who’s already accomplished more than most 10-year veterans and continues to produce like one of the five best outfielders in the American League.

The slander needs to stop. Julio Rodríguez is a star — and it’s time the rest of the baseball world looked toward Seattle and put some long-overdue respect on his name.