Arraez and Buxton Named to First All-Star Teams

[Seth Stohs]

Not a lot of surprise, but MLB announced this afternoon that both Luis Arraez and Byron Buxton have been named to their first All-Star teams. 

 

While some may believe that they should be starting in the All Star game in Los Angeles next week, both Luis Arraez Byron Buxton have been named to their first All-Star games. 

On Sunday, Byron Buxton hit his career-high 23rd home run. While he is hitting just .215 with an on-base percentage teetering around .300, his power and slugging make him a huge threat in a lineup. And his defense, of course. According to Darren Wolfson, Buxton was asked to participate in the Home Run Derby, but declined. 

Despite going 0-for-5 on Sunday, Arraez has a huge lead in the American League batting title race with a .348 batting average. 

Congratulations to both on a special moment in their careers. Watch as manager Rocco Baldelli informs the team of the player's All Star status. 

Jhoan Duran has given up runs in his most recent appearances. He had to have been considered. Maybe even Griffin Jax, who has emerged as arguably the team's top reliever right now, received consideration. Either way, that is a strong 1-2 punch in the back of the team's bullpen. 

Carlos Correa is another Twins player that could be an All Star. 

Maybe those three are "snubs" (or maybe not), but there are likely to be players added to the rosters over the next week for injuries or other reasons. 

Join us in congratulating two new Twins All Stars and share your thoughts. 

 

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[rwilfong86]

Two guys who definitely deserve it. My wife's friend Jorge Lopez earned a spot for Baltimore, we are super excited to watch the game now. 

[stringer bell]

I hope this the first of several appearances for both players. I hope and expect many more on the Twins’ roster will be selected in future years. 

[Dman]

Two amazing players that deserve to be there.  I mean if the current leader in batting average can't make the team something is wrong. Buxton a bit more of a surprise for me but probably shouldn't be.  His talent on offense and defense is elite and he is a great teammate.  I love watching him play and he will be a lot of fun to watch in the All Star game.

Both guys have worked really hard to get there but have to love that they included the entire team, coaches and players in their success.  The support from both obviously is a difference maker to them.  Congrats to both men on being two of better players in baseball and making the All Star team.

[wsnydes]

Well deserved congratulations for both!  

Hopefully the first of many!  Enjoy the game!

[tony&rodney]

Happy for both Luis and Byron. Well done. Love the video of the presentation by Rocco. You can hear all of the Latin players and see and feel  the excitement from those in the room. Cool.

[GNess]

Well deserved. Nice presentation by Rocco.

[Doctor Gast]

Cogratulations! to both well deserved!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Luis Arraez is very deserving, as is Buxton, and maybe a better success story than Buxton. Signed internationally for a modest bonus, an ACL injury wiped out his age 20 season while in high A, and give this front office credit for something, they shot him up through the system and he was in the majors in 2019.

Cheers, Luis ?

[Whitey333]

Congrats to both.  Enjoy your time at the game.

[ashbury]

I had to go look.  Somehow thought that BB must have been named as a substitute by the manager some year earlier.  Fans vote for established names, but the manager sometimes give the nod to talent.  But apparently the timing was never right, to match his admittedly short bursts of performance, to the midsummer classic.  Ah well, I'm glad he got the recognition.  And of course Arraez should enjoy the stamp of approval that he has arrived, too.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Let there be much rejoicing!

[h2oface]

It is pretty amazing to me, no matter your great defensive skills, speed, or how many homers (and 23 before the break is not really that unusual.....) that you can have an average of .215 (basically the worst of your career), only have an OBP of .295, a K% of 28.5, ..........and still be considered an all-star. 

I was listening to a couple ESPN guys discussing all the pitchers that did not make the team, and that was because there are just so many really good pitchers right now. I wish the FO would use their infamous pitching identification talents and get some of those on the Twins. After all, since there are so many, it would seems we deserve a couple, just from the randomness of it all.