A's Chapman And Giants' Smith selected for 2019 MLB All-Star Game
A's Matt Chapman and Giants' Will Smith among 68 selected for 2019 MLB All-Star Game.
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - On Sunday, the complete rosters were released for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game. Of the 68 players selected between the American and National Leagues, the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants had a player each chosen to join the elite bunch.
A's third baseman Matt Chapman was a player-elected selection and will make his first All-Star appearance in just his second full season in the league. He will be a reserve for the American League behind Houston Astros' third baseman Alex Bregman.
Chapman is leading all third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and is 6th in the AL in home runs. In 2018, he demonstrated his defensive prowess by winning every possible fielding award: the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award, a Golden Glove Award and a Fielding Bible Award.
Giants reliever Will Smith made the National League roster also for the first time as a player-elected selection. He becomes the first Giants' left-handed reliever to make the All-Star team since 1983.
Smith has been perfect on his 22 save opportunities this season while boasting a 2.16 ERA. He has posted 51 strikeouts to just eight walks in 33 ⅓ innings pitched.
The lefty missed all of 2017 and the first month of the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The 90th edition of the MLB All-Star game will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, July 9.