Only 10 games to throw and All-Star glory, '100 mile gusts'skins...Players turned a blind eye, NL starting pitcher's public opinion
Jul 08, 2024
|
|
MLB (major league secretariat) announced the list of pitchers and reserves for the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) All-Star on the 8th (Korea time). The nine starting line-ups for each league position selected through the first and second fan votes were already confirmed on the 4th, and the rest of the pitchers and fielders excluding them were released on the same day.
In the NL, 13 pitchers and 13 catchers and fielders were selected, while in the AL, 12 pitchers and 11 catchers and fielders were named respectively. The roster for the All-Star Game is 34 players per league, and more are selected because there are players who are flexible in playing due to injuries. This year's All-Star Game will be held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, at 9 a.m. on the 17th.
Among them, Skins is the most eye-catching player. All-Star pitchers and backup fielders are determined through player-manager-coach voting and MLB evaluation. Skins was selected by MLB, not by player voting. Analysts say it is MLB's strategic choice to win the All-Star Game.
USA Today reporter Bob Nightingale said, `Players, coaches and coaches want to select veterans as compensation. They don't seem to have been impressed enough to vote for Skins. However, MLB intervened and included him in the All-Star, confident that Skins and his 102-mile fastball should be presented at Arlington'
MLB explained that `Because Philadelphia Phillies Jack Wheeler cannot take the mound on the day of the All-Star Game, Skins replaces him.' Wheeler started against the Oakland Athletics on the 15th, the last game of the first half, and cannot pitch in the All-Star Game.
|
Moreover, Skins is also strongly mentioned as a starting pitcher in the NL. Arizona Diamondbacks Tori Lovullo, last year's NL champion, is likely to give Skins a chance to start. Reporter Nightingale predicted that `Skins may win the honor of NL starting pitcher because he takes a normal rest.'
Skins is set to take his last mound in the first half for an away game against the Milwaukee Brewers on the 11th, so he can take the mound with a normal rest day in the All-Star Game on the 17th.
Among the 12 National League pitchers, five players were selected by MLB, including Skins, Chicago Cubs Shota Imanaga, St. Louis Cardinals Ryan Helsley, Miami Marlins Tanner Scott, and San Francisco Giants Logan Webb.
Two months after his Major League debut, Skins was honored to participate in the 'Festival of Stars" Skins joined in July last year with the first overall pick of the first round of the draft by Pittsburgh. He played in only five Rookie-Single-A-Double-A games last year and seven Triple-A games this year. He made his debut against the Cubs on May 12 after 12 minor league starts.
However, more than expected, he continues to pitch. He has five wins and no losses in 10 games and a 2.12 ERA. The quality start was eight times, and except for his debut, he pitched more than five innings and three runs or less in nine consecutive games. He has 12 walks and 78 strikeouts in 59 ⅓ innings, 48 hits and seven homers.
Above all, it seems to have appealed to MLB officials that they continue pitching powerfully with fastballs up to 101.9 miles and an average of 99.2 miles. Skins is the most prolific pitcher this year with 74 fastballs over 100 miles.
|
▶NL
Pitchers (13) = Tyler Anderson (LAD), Ryan Helsley* (STL), Shota Imanaga* (CHC), Reynaldo Lopez, Chris Sale (ATL), Tanner Scott* (MIA), Paul Skins* (PIT), Jeff Hoffman, Matt Stram, Ranger Suarez (director PHI), Robert Suarez (SD), Logan Webb* (SF), Jack Wheeler (PHI, not available)
Catcher (1) = Will Smith (LAD)
Infielders (7) = CJ Abrams* (WSH), Pete Alonso* (NYM), Luis Arraez (SD), Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts (LAD), Ellie Delacruz (CIN), Ryan McMahon (COL)
Outfield (4) = Teoscar Hernandez (LAD), Jackson Merrill (SD), Elliott Ramos* (SF), Brian Reynolds (PIT)
Designated hitter (1) = Marcel Ozuna (ATL)
▶AL
Pitchers (12) = Tyler Anderson* (LAA), Corbin Burns (BAL), Emanuel Clase (CLE), Garrett Crochet (CHW), Logan Gilbert* (SEA), Clay Holmes* (NYY), Tanner Hauke (BOS), Seth Lugo (KC), Mason Miller (OAK), Cole Legans* (KC), Tarik Skubal (DET), Kirby Yates (TEX)
Catcher (1) = Salvador Perez (KC)
Infielders (6) = Carlos Correa* (MIN), Rafael Devers (BOS), Josh Nair (CLE), Isaac Paredes* (TB), Marcus Simien (TEX), Bobby Witt Jr. (KC)
Outfield (3) = Jaren Duran (BOS), Riley Green (DET), Kyle Tucker (HOU)
Designated hitter (1) = David Fry (CLE)
jhno@sportschosun.com
