The 2019 MLB All-Star game is right around the corner in Cleveland, OH to be played Tuesday, July 9. This year the Atlanta Braves could have had a least eight starting position players go, but reigning Rookie of the Year CF Ronald Acuna, Jr. will make his first appearance and will start in CF. First baseman Freddie Freeman will be making his fourth All-Star game appearance And be starting at first as well. Rookie starting pitcher Mike Soroka will be making his first appearance.
At 21 years of age, Acuna will be the youngest Brave ever to start in a MLB All-Star game. Currently Acuna is hitting .295 with 20 homeruns and 52 RBI while adding 13 stolen bases. In two years of play in the majors, Acuna has already garnered a rookie of the year award and a starting All-Star game appearance. Hoping this is only the beginning and there will be many more awards to come. Acuna will also make an appearance in the homerun derby as well. There are so many debates on this topic that the players strain their arms, but I say let them play. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
First baseman Freeman seems like a veteran of the Braves with four All- Star appearances. Freeman is currently batting .312 with 22 homeruns and 65 RBIs. Freeman is the model of consistency in the Braves everyday lineup. With a career batting average of .294, Freeman hits for average, homeruns, and RBIs.
At 21, Soroka has been the model of consistency in the Braves rotation. Braves can rely on him every start to be reliable in his young career. Soroka doesn’t get rattled easily and is cool under presser and doesn’t show too much emotion. Soroka’s current ERA is 2.13 with a record of 9-1 with 67 strikeouts in 84.2 innings pitched. Soroka reminds me of a younger Tom Glavine for the Braves.
Along with the three players going to Cleveland, manager Brian Snitker received the call to be a coach for the National League team. According to Snitker, “It’s an honor.”
Kirkley's Sports Korner 