Mitch Moreland Among Five Red Sox Named To AL All-Star Team
First baseman Mitch Moreland made his first All-Star team on Sunday, joining four of his Boston Red Sox teammates on the American League squad. As expected, Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Chris Sale, and Craig Kimbrel were also named to the AL team, with Betts and Martinez starting in the outfield and designated hitter, respectively.
Moreland is batting a career-best .288 so far in the 2018 season, to go with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs despite playing just 71 of the Red Sox’ 91 games. He leads all AL first basemen with an .884 OPS and is fifth in the league at the position with a 1.7 WAR.
He’s the only surprise among the Red Sox playing in the Midsummer Classic on July 17 at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. Martinez enters Monday leading the AL in home runs (27), RBIs (74), and total bases (212). Betts isn’t far behind with 22 homers in just 71 games and a league-leading 1.105 OPS.
On the mound, Sale is again among the AL leaders in major categories. He’s first with 176 strikeouts in 122 innings and sits fourth in ERA (2.36), third in WHIP (0.89), and tied for ninth with nine wins (9-4). Kimbrel, meanwhile, is second in the AL with 27 saves, and has the fourth-best ERA (1.98) among the top-10 league leaders in that category.
Moreland told MassLive’s Christopher Smith that he “didn’t know if it would ever be quite possible” that he’d make any All-Star teams in his career.
“Obviously everybody coming up and giving you hugs, and excited,” said Moreland. “They were just as excited as I was about it. Special.”
#VoteBenny
Jun 2, 2018, Houston, TX, USA: Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. (Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi just missed the cut for official selections to the All-Star Game, but he still has a chance to make the game. He’s part of the final ballot for the AL squad, giving fans the power to vote him in. You can cast your vote for both leagues at MLB.com.
Benintendi is slashing .293/.379/.515 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs on the season.
Full All-Star Game Rosters
American League Starters:
C: Wilson Ramos, Rays
1B: Jose Abreu, White Sox
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Jose Ramirez, Indians
SS: Manny Machado, Orioles
OF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
DH: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox
American League Reserves:
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Mitch Moreland, Red Sox
2B: Gleyber Torres, Yankees
3B: Alex Bregman, Astros
SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians
OF: Michael Brantley, Indians
OF: Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers
OF: Mitch Haniger, Mariners
OF: George Springer, Astros
OF: Nelson Cruz, Mariners
American League Pitchers:
RHP: Trevor Bauer, Indians
RHP: Jose Berrios, Twins
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Yankees
RHP: Gerrit Cole, Astros
RHP: Edwin Diaz, Mariners
LHP: J.A. Happ, Blue Jays
RHP: Joe Jimenez, Tigers
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox
RHP: Corey Kluber, Indians
LHP: Chris Sale, Red Sox
RHP: Luis Severino, Yankees
RHP: Blake Treinen, Athletics
RHP: Justin Verlander, Astros
Final Vote:
OF: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
OF: Eddie Rosario, Twins
SS: Jean Segura, Mariners
SS: Andrelton Simmons, Angels
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees
National League Starters:
C: Willson Contreras, Cubs
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: Javier Baez, Cubs
3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants
OF: Nick Markakis, Braves
OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals
National League Reserves:
C: Buster Posey, Giants
C: J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
1B: Joey Votto, Reds
2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves
2B: Scooter Gennett, Reds
3B: Eugenio Suarez, Reds
SS: Trevor Story, Rockies
OF: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
OF: Lorenzo Cain, Brewers
OF: Christian Yelich, Brewers
National League Pitchers:
LHP: Patrick Corbin, D-backs
RHP: Jacob deGrom, Mets
LHP: Sean Doolittle, Nationals
RHP: Mike Foltynewicz, Braves
LHP: Josh Hader, Brewers
LHP: Brad Hand, Padres
RHP: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers
LHP: Jon Lester, Cubs
RHP: Miles Mikolas, Cardinals
RHP: Aaron Nola, Phillies
RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals
LHP: Felipe Vazquez, Pirates
National League Final Vote:
1B: Jesus Aguilar, Brewers
1B: Brandon Belt, Giants
INF: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
INF/OF: Max Muncy, Dodgers
SS: Trea Turner, Nationals
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