The 2024 Major League Baseball season is in full swing. The 94th annual All-Star game will be played on July 16th at Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers. The Baltimore Orioles had six finalists to be starters for the midsummer classic. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman were named starters for the AL earlier tonight on ESPN.
The O’s still have a chance to send many more members to the all-star game as reserves, and they might have the starting pitcher for the American League. RHP Corbin Burnes and Tigers starter Tarik Skubal continue to battle for the starting role in the game. Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Anthony Santander and Jordan Westburg could make the game as reserves after just missing out as starters.
Gunnar Henderson is having an MVP-worthy season for the O’s so far in 2024. Henderson’s slashing .288/.383/.600 with 26 HRs (3rd in MLB), 58 RBIs (t-8th in MLB), and a league-leading 74 runs. He burst onto the scene last season after winning AL ROY unanimously, and he’s been able to continue that success in 2024. Henderson’s taken off as of late hitting .339 in his last 30 games with eight home runs and 17 RBIs. This selection was a no-doubter as Henderson has emerged as a fan-favorite across Major League Baseball. This is Henderson’s first all-star selection in his second full season.
Adley Rutschman continues to be the leader for the Orioles in 2024. The O’s really took off after Rutschman was called up in May of 2022, and he’s turned into the best catcher in baseball since then. His defense behind the plate has always been amazing, but he’s become one of baseball’s most consistent hitters this season. Rutschman’s hitting .291/.346/.465 in 80 games for the first-place birds in 2024. The power has also come onto the scene as he’s hit 15 home runs this season (t-1st in MLB). Rutschman continues to be the focal point on one of the best teams in the sport since his debut two years ago. This makes it back-to-back all-star appearances for the young backstop.
We all know the big names like Judge, Soto and Henderson. I’d like to personally give a huge shoutout to all the Orioles fans that voted like crazy for our players to make it this far in all-star voting. The team has proven they can win now, and they’re starting to get more national recognition for it. All of Birdland can only hope for more appearances in the midsummer classic, and a ring later this year in the Fall Classic.
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