The National League and American League reserves and pitchers for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game were announced, which saw Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin both getting added to represent the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For Gonsolin, the selection completes an All-Star Game goal he set prior to the season beginning. “It feels good,” Gonsolin said of getting named to the NL team.
“I feel like I’ve been throwing pretty well this year, so it’s nice to have it come around full circle.”
Last season, Gonsolin was limited to just 55.2 innings due to a shoulder injury. He also struggled with his command while he was on the mound, walking more than five hitters per nine innings.
Those factors contributed to Gonsolin setting his sights on the All-Star Game, and now that it’s completed, he is turning his attention to bringing another World Series trophy back to L.A.
“It was more so last year’s injury, coming off that, trying to build back up and feel better, feel healthy and come back with a solid goal of becoming an All-Star,” Gonsolin said. “That happened, and the next goal is to win a championship.”
The 28-year-old leads MLB with a 1.62 ERA to go along with a 3.35 FIP across 88.2 innings while striking out 24% of hitters, walking 6.9%, and accumulating 1.7 WAR.
With the two pitchers making the team, the Dodgers now have four players representing them for the game, which is being held at Dodger Stadium. Mookie Betts and Trea Turner were both announced as starters as a result of the fan voting.
“To have two guys in the starting lineup, hitting and playing defense, is a great thing,” Gonsolin said. “Just feel honored to be part of it.”
Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Julio Urías snubbed from All-Star Game
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was hoping Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Julio Urías would be selected to the roster as well, but none of them made the squad.
Smith was perhaps the team’s biggest snub for a second consecutive season after hitting .258/.351/.452 with 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 32 runs scored, a 129 wRC+ and two WAR.
Freeman is batting .296/.376.477 with 10 home runs, 53 RBI, 52 runs scored, seven stolen bases, a 140 wRC+ and three WAR, but he faced a stacked position group at first base.
Urías made a strong case for the second consecutive year but once again fell short of the selection. The 25-year-old has pitched to a 2.57 ERA and 3.92 FIP in 87.2 innings with 1.9 WAR while striking out 23.9% of hitters and walking 6%.
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