“I am definitely super happy and proud of the teammates and the coaching staff. I think it’s going to be great to have everyone out there,” Acuña said through team interpreter Franco García.
“I’d like to bring the whole team,” Swanson said. “I feel like everyone has played a big part in why we’ve been so successful this year. Obviously Travis is phenomenal, Willie had kind of a breakout year going his way, Ronnie is obviously Ronnie so it’s pretty special. And then Fried, I’ve said that before, the guy is elite, he’s top notch.”
Acuña didn’t have to worry about his spot at the 2022 Midsummer Classic because on June 30, the right fielder was named the National League’s leading vote collector and automatically earned a seed.
Swanson was narrowly beaten for the shortstop seed by Dodgers Trea Turner in the closing stages of fan voting, 52% to 48%. But Swanson won’t miss out on the experience as he’s been selected as a reserve. In his last 30 games, the 28-year-old has cut .341/.370/.589 with 44 hits, eight homers and 24 RBIs.
“It’s obviously a tremendous honor, something that you definitely work your whole life for,” Swanson said of being named to his first All-Star Game. “I am very grateful and grateful, very blessed to be in this position.”
William Contreras will join his brother Willson in the All-Star Game, becoming the 15th batch of brothers to reach the Midsummer Classic. The last brothers to make an All-Star Game that same year were Aaron and Bret Boone in 2003, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. With Bryce Harper injured, William takes Harper’s designated hitter starting spot while his brother starts as a catcher. The last brothers to start an All-Star game together were Sandy and Roberto Alomar in 1992, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. William has only played 43 games this season, sharing time behind the plate with d’Arnaud, but he has been extremely productive when it comes to the plate.
“That’s one thing that I don’t think we’ve ever really talked about,” Contreras said of attending the All-Star Game with his brother. “It’s a dream come true and I think we’ve always dreamed of it, but it’s crazy that it’s happening. I’m really happy, I’m excited and I can’t wait for the day.”
Contreras bats .273/.358/.566 and is tied by a catcher (11) for the fifth most home runs this season, but every catcher above him has played in 20 or more games. Contreras has 11 home runs in 143 at-bats, 1 per 13 ABs, which would be the eighth best rate in the majors, but he doesn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify.
The Braves will have their two catchers in Los Angeles on July 19, as d’Arnaud also earned a reserve seat. The last time two catchers with at least 20 games caught made the All-Star team for the same team was in 1957-60 and 1962 with the Yankees’ Yogi Berra and Elston Howard. It only happened once before, in 1942 with Bill Dickey and Buddy Rosar, also from the Yankees.
d’Arnaud was a true veteran leader for Atlanta during the team’s successful season, and he was also a factor in the box and behind the court. In his last 15 games, he’s cut .293/.359/.534 while already knocking out nine runners this season, which is the fifth most common catcher in the majors among qualified catchers.
“What’s special about it is that it’s in my hometown, where I grew up and learned to play baseball. That’ll be cool,” said d’Arnaud. “It’s something special and I’m very grateful not only to the fans but also to my colleagues who think I’m a good player.”
Fried will also enjoy his first All-Star selection at home at Dodger Stadium, a place he often frequented growing up. The Southern California native has a 9-2 record with 2.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 100 strikeouts and ranks fifth in the majors. He is a candidate for the National League seed.
“[Fried’s] has been one of the top pitchers in the game for the past three years, and it’s very special for him to receive his first All-Star selection, also for him in his hometown,” d’Arnaud said.