Eight former Pioneer League players will take the field for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game in Washington D.C. on Tuesday night. The Arizona Diamonbacks, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals each have two representatives who played in the Pioneer League on their way to the majors, and the Cincinnati Reds have one.
The Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt and Patrick Corbin were named to the National League All-Star team. Corbin will be used as a reliever out of the bullpen, while Goldschmidt will be the designated hitter batting third. Goldschmidt is making his sixth all-star appearance. Goldschmidt played for the Missoula Osprey in 2009, while Corbin played for the Orem Owlz in 2009.
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has put together another MVP-caliber season to date, and was rewarded with his fourth all-star game appearance and second as a starter. Arenado is batting second for the National League. Joining Arenado is teammate and Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. Both Arenado and Story played for the Casper Ghosts – Arenado in 2009, Story in 2011.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was named to his sixth all-star game. Votto, who played for the Billings Mustangs in 2003, is the only active Reds player in the all-star game. Votto was the 2010 National League MVP.
The Kansas City Royals have one former Pioneer League player named to the American League All-Star team — catcher Salvador Perez. Perez will be making his sixth all-star game appearance. Perez played for the Idaho Falls Chukars in 2008 and was the 2015 World Series MVP for the Royals. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain will be making his second all-star appearance. Cain played in the Pioneer League for the Helena Brewers in 2005.
Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura was the winner of the American League’s final vote to garner his second all-star appearance. Segura was previously an all-star in 2013 when he played for the Milwaukee Brewers. Segura played for the Orem Owlz in 2009.
The 89th MLB All-Star Game is slated to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday night. The all-time series is tied, 43-43-2.
