MLB All-Star Teams Feature Lots of Players With Louisiana Ties
We are just past the midway point of the baseball season. Which, in the world of Major League Baseball, means it is time for the All-Star game. This year's game will take place on July 16th at Globe Life Field in Arlington Texas, the home of the Texas Rangers. And this year, not only is the game itself taking place in the region, we have tons of players with ties to Louisiana - including Shreveport-Bossier Native Seth Lugo & LSU superstar Paul Skenes.
Seth Lugo Makes His First All-Star Team
Seth Lugo, a former Parkway Panther & Centenary Gent, has without a doubt been one of the best pitchers in baseball through the first half of the season. He's leading the league in wins, ERA and innings pitched. He's also at or near the top in several other statistical categories. What does all that mean? It means he's had a damn good season and that he's making the American League All-Star team. With his statistical dominance this season, there's a good shot he could be your American League Starter this year.
Paul Skenes Makes History With His First All-Star Appearance
This time last year, Paul Skenes was pitching LSU to a National Championship. He then gets drafted 1-1 in the 2023 Draft. Fast forward 12 months and he's one of the most exciting pitching prospect in years. Oh, and he's a history maker too - Paul Skenes is the first player in MLB history to be drafted #1 overall and to make the All-Star Team in consecutive years.
Through 10 big league starts, he's been absolutely LIGHTS OUT. He's 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 78 strike outs. There are some baseball insiders who say 'it's too much, too soon'. But, Paul isn't the first player ever to get called up late and make an All-Star team. Plus, he's absolutely dominated in his opportunities. Kind of hard to argue with the results and his performance.
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Former NSU Demon Makes First All-Star Team Roster
David Fry, Texas native & former Northwestern State University Demon was selected by his peers to make his first All-Star Team. Fry, of all the players with local ties, may be the most surprising All-Star selection. Skenes was a 1-1, so you knew he had the potential and talent. While Seth's dominance has come out of nowhere, he's had a pretty successful career to this point. Fry, however, had a rough go during his time in the Brewers system. Didn't put up great offense numbers. He gets traded to Cleveland...and then turned into an amazing player.
Fry, utility man extraordinaire for the red hot Cleveland Guardians, has been nothing short of incredible this year. Doesn't matter if he's DH-ing, playing catcher or coming off the bench, Fry has been mashing.
In 67 games so far, Fry is batting .300 with 8 home runs, 33 RBIs, and an OPS of .906 - all of which are pretty elite. He's coming a LONG way from playing ball in Natchitoches, Louisiana. And now, he's a much deserved member of the American League All-Star team.
You can see the full All-Star roster for both the American League & National League here.
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