Atlanta Braves Ender Inciarte selected to the 2017 All-Star game!
By Jeff Schafer
Braves center fielder Inciarte heading to Miami for All-Star game!
Major League Baseball announced the players that will be representing each division in the 2017 All-Star game on Sunday night. The Atlanta Braves will be sending one man this year…outfielder Ender Inciarte.
On July 11, 2017 the American League will play the National League in the 2017 MLB All-Star game in Miami Florida at Marlins Park. This will be the 88th MLB All-Star game and the first time since 2002 that the outcome of the game will not determine home-field advantage for the World Series.
Inciarte is one of the 32 players selected for this year’s game. The last spot is still up for debate — NL it’s between Justin Bour, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rendon, Mark Reynolds, and Justin Turner. In the AL it’s between Elvis Andrus, Xander Bogaerts, Didi Gregorius, Logan Morrison, and Mike Moustakas — this decision will be online voting by the fans between July 2 and July 6.
Congratulations to @enderinciartem on being selected for the 2017 National League All-Star team! pic.twitter.com/cWckA8hx0S
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 2, 2017
Ender told the media following today’s game “I can’t express with words how happy I am. I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished. You dream about it and then what it happens, it’s hard to believe it.”
And then on Twitter he said, “what a great honor to represent my team, my family, and my country.”
What a great honor to represent my team, my family and my country in the all star game specially in this tough time in my Venezuela!
— Ender Inciarte (@enderinciartem) July 3, 2017
This will be the first appearance in an All-Star game for the 26-year-old. He’s slashing .307/.350/.400 during the 2017 season with six homers, one triple, 13 doubles, 11 stolen bases, 52 runs scored and 31 RBIs.
Inciarte has been on fire recently and continues to rake. He’s had 206 hits since last All-Star break which is second most of any player in the MLB.
The outfielder had three more hits on Sunday and made a terrific play in the outfield to save a run from scoring (which would have been the winning run). Did you see the catch?
...and plays like this in the field! pic.twitter.com/a1f5UhGA3H
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 3, 2017
Inciarte’s game isn’t just at the plate. In 2016 he won his first Gold Glove award and he’ll most likely win another one this season if things continue going like they have been.
Next: Atlanta Braves Minors Top Performers for June
Missing out on the All-Star game is Matt Kemp, Brandon Phillips, and Tyler Flowers. It’s possible these players could still make the team if an injury happens…and that usually does occur…or if a player decides to skip the event.