“I am certainly very happy and proud of my teammates and the coaching staff, I think it would be great to have everyone there,” Acuña said through team interpreter Franco Garcia.
“I would like to bring the whole team with me,” Swanson said. “I feel like everyone has been a big part of why we’ve been so successful this year. Travis is obviously exceptional, Willie has had a kind of public penetration to himself, and obviously Ronnie is Ronnie, so he’s very special. And then Fried, I said that before, Like an elite man, he’s top notch.”
Acuña didn’t have to worry about his place in the 2022 Midsummer Classic because, on June 30, the right-hand man was announced as the best vote-taker in the National League and Gain an automatic starting point.
Swanson was narrowly beaten off the short starting point by the Dodgers’ Trea Turner in the final leg of the fan vote, 52% to 48%. But Swanson will not miss this experience, as he was chosen as a reserve. Over his last 30 games, the 28-year-old has cut 341/.370/.589 with 44 hits, eight home runs and 24 RBI.
“It’s obviously a great honor, something you’ve definitely been doing all your life,” Swanson said, upon being selected for his first All-Star Game. “I am very grateful and thankful, and very blessed to be in this position.”
William Contreras He will join his brother Wilson in the All-Star Game, becoming the 15th group of brothers to reach the Midsummer Classic. The last brothers to make the All-Star Game in the same year were Aaron and Brett Boone in 2003, according to Elias Sports Bureau. With Bryce Harper injured, William takes on Harper’s set starting point, with his brother starting the catcher. The last brothers to start an All-Star game together were Sandy and Roberto Omar in 1992, according to Elias Sports Bureau. William has only played 43 games this season, splitting time with d’Arnaud behind the plate, but he’s been very productive when he goes to the plate.
“It’s something I don’t think we ever talked about,” Contreras said of playing the All-Star Game with his brother. “It’s a dream come true, and I think it’s something we’ve always dreamed of, but it’s crazy to happen. I’m really happy, I’m excited and I can’t wait for this day.”
Contreras cuts .273/.358/.566 and is tied for fifth in number by catcher this season (11), but every catcher above him has played in 20 or more games. Contreras has 11 in 143 at-bats, 1 in 13 ABs, which would be the eighth best average in the Majors, but doesn’t have enough board appearances to qualify.
The Braves will have both of their catchers in Los Angeles on July 19, with d’Arnaud also earning a spare spot. The last time players with at least 20 games for the same team were caught on the All-Star, was 1957-60 and 1962, with Yankees’ Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. It happened again before that, in 1942 with Bill Dickey and Buddy Rossar, also of the Yankees.
d’Arnaud has been a true veteran captain for Atlanta during the team’s successful season, and has also been a boxer and behind the plate. Over his last 15 games, he’s cut .293/ .359/ .534, while already knocking out nine finishers in the season, the fifth-most in the major competition among qualified hunters.
“What makes it special is that it is in my hometown, where I grew up learning baseball. It would be great.” Darno said. “It’s special, and I’m so grateful not only to the fans, but to my peers who think I’m a good player.”
Fried will also enjoy his first All-Star pick at Dodger Stadium, a place he visited frequently during his childhood. The Southern California native held a 9-2 record, tied for fifth in wins at the Majors, with 2.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 100 hits. He is among the candidates to be the primary shooter in the National League.
“[Fried’s] He’s been one of the best shooters in the game for the past three years, and for him, being selected for the first time in an All-Star, for him also in his hometown, is very special.”
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