4 unexpected Reds who are suddenly crashing the 2025 All-Star conversation

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game is still months away, but several Cincinnati Reds players are making the case to be part of the festivities at Truist Park in Atlanta later this summer. While fan voting plays a major role in which players get selected, performance can outbid popularity on occasion.

Obviously Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene — two of the most recognizable players on the Reds roster — will be in the mix to represent Cincinnati in this year's Midsummer Classic. But a handful of other Reds players will be looking to join the discussion as well.

With that in mind, let's take a look at four Reds players whose early-season success could vault them into the MLB All-Star conversation.

4 unexpected Reds who are suddenly crashing the 2025 All-Star conversation

Noelvi Marte, Reds third baseman

No Reds player has enjoyed a more surprising start to the 2025 season than Noelvi Marte. Figuratively left for dead after a forgettable season in 2024 and a dreadful showing during spring training, Marte has reemerged this season as one of the most impactful bats in the Reds lineup. If the Reds third baseman can continue his hot-hitting into the summer, he could be a sleeper candidate to be an All-Star this season.

Graham Ashcraft, Reds pitcher

Graham Ashcraft's transition to the bullpen has been seamless. After three flawless innings on Thursday, Ashcraft owns a 0.57 ERA with 17 punch outs in 15 ⅔ innings of work. The one thing holding Ashcraft back from entering the All-Star conversation is his role in the bullpen. When it comes to the selection process, the honor typically goes to a team's closer. But if Ashcraft continues to dominate the opposition as he has at the outset, the right-hander may eventually force his way into that role.

Gavin Lux, Reds infielder/ outfielder

Gavin Lux is swinging a hot bat at the moment. While there are concerns over whether or not that's sustainable, you can't question the fact that Lux's .317 batting average is top-10 in the National League. Lux would need to ride that Luis Arráez-type wave in order to be considered for the Midsummer Classic. The San Diego Padres' standout has been to the All-Star Game three times thanks to sky-high batting average and incredible bat-to-ball skills. Arráez, much like Lux, doesn't hit for much power, giving the Reds' utility player a path to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.

Nick Lodolo, Reds pitcher

Of all the players on this list, Nick Lodolo is the most likely to be named to the All-Star roster. He may also be the most surprising, simply because he's finally showing how good he can actually be when he's healthy. Lodolo's 2.25 ERA is sixth-best among NL starters while walking just five batters over 36 inning pitched. Only Greene and Nick Pivetta have a lower WHIP among qualified starters. Lodolo and Greene have been neck and neck in the battle to be the Reds' ace — and that's a good thing for the Cincinnati fanbase.

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