Seranthony Dominguez's top competition for All-Star Game

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Barring some sort of unforeseen collapse over the next month, Aaron Nola will be representing the Phillies in the All-Star Game on July 17 in D.C.

Could the Phillies have another All-Star?

With Odubel Herrera's recent slump and a surplus of quality outfielders, he seems unlikely at this point. Herrera is down to .283/.345/.429 on the season after going 13 for his last 84.

Jake Arrieta (2.97 ERA, .302 opponents' OBP) has been good, but there are 10 NL starting pitchers with lower ERAs. And with every team needing a representative, a pitcher like San Diego's Tyson Ross (3.43 ERA, 9.2 K/9) could move ahead of Arrieta as well.

The Phillie other than Nola with the best chance to make it to the Midsummer Classic might be Seranthony Dominguez. 

In just 15 appearances, Dominguez has become one of the best relievers in the National League. He's allowed seven hits and a walk in 19 innings with 22 strikeouts. He has a 1.42 ERA and 0.42 WHIP and that's after allowing runs in two of his last three outings.

Last summer, six NL relievers made the All-Star Game — five closers and Pat Neshek. In the AL, only three relievers made it — Craig Kimbrel and setup men Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances.

Let's work under the assumption that the NL will again carry six relievers on the roster. Where does Dominguez fall on the list?

Milwaukee's Josh Hader is a lock. Teammate Jeremy Jeffress seems to be as well. Nationals closer Sean Doolittle will be there. St. Louis' Bud Norris has been effective in a variety of roles this season and should be in consideration. If Ross isn't the Padres' representative, lefty closer Brad Hand will be. 

After that? Nobody clearly ahead of Dominguez. Not Brad Boxberger or Archie Bradley, not Brandon Morrow, not Raisel Iglesias or Jared Hughes.

To put in perspective how valuable Dominguez has been already, he's behind only eight NL relievers in WAR despite making half as many appearances.

Not that he'd be used for multiple innings in an All-Star Game, but Dominguez's versatility and ability to record more than three outs should factor into his All-Star résumé.

One other reliever who could stand in Dominguez's way is Braves 28-year-old revelation Dan Winkler, who has a 1.03 ERA with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 26⅓ innings. Despite being up all season and making twice as many appearances as Dominguez, Winkler has pitched just eight more innings.

The fact that this is even a conversation, though, is pretty cool. Especially when you consider that Dominguez wasn't on the radar of many coming into the season. He wasn't supposed to be this good this fast.

If he does make it, Dominguez would be the first Phillies rookie to make the All-Star team since Jimmy Rollins in 2001.

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