NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt leads the nation with three former players – all starting pitchers – selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game which gets underway Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX from Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Los Angeles Dodgers hurler Walker Buehler is an all-star for the first time in his second full season. The 24-year-old right-hander enters the break 8-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 17 starts. Buehler leads the National League in win percentage (.889), is fourth in WHIP (0.99) and 10th in ERA.
“It’s something you hope might one day happen but never truly think it will until it does,” Buehler told reporters following the announcement. Obviously and exciting day for me and my family … The kind of run the past couple of months I’ve had, with the exception of [Coors Field], has been limiting walks and striking guys out. It’s been a good run, and obviously I’m very honored.”
All-Star squad. pic.twitter.com/ph4uXZ8RF4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 8, 2019
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Sonny Gray (5-5, 3.59 ERA) was added to the NL All-Star team three days after his best start of the season. Gray, who is replacing Max Scherzer, matched a career-high with 12 strikeouts last Wednesday against Milwaukee. He is making his second appearance in the event (2015).
“I had been waiting for that type of moment for him,” former Commodore and current Reds catcher Curt Casali told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Super excited that he signed here long term. He’s one of my best friends and known him for a long time.”
Sonny Gray has been added to the NL All-Stars as a replacement for Max Scherzer. Congrats, Sonny! ⭐️#BornToBaseball | #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/Jns1fxoyWK
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 7, 2019
Texas Rangers ace Mike Minor (8-4, 2.54 ERA) will not appear in the all-star game – additional rest – but is expected to participate in introductions. Minor leads the American League in complete games (2) and is second in the league in ERA (2.54) and third in innings pitched (117.0).
Of the 16 former collegiate players who were named all-stars, nine are former Southeastern Conference standouts. LSU boasts two players while Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi State and South Carolina each have one representative in the event.
“It feels really good to be back to pitching the way I thought I could when I was with Atlanta.”
Mike Minor is having a career year in Texas. @KelsWingert catches up with the former @Braves pitcher to discuss his success and Brian Snitker. pic.twitter.com/TKuXnfXfj6
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) July 8, 2019
