Yordan Alvarez and Framber Valdez have each been named to the 2023 American League All-Star team, Major League Baseball announced today. Alvarez was selected via the player vote while Valdez was selected by MLB.
This marks the second consecutive All-Star selection for both Alvarez and Valdez and their second overall. In 2022, Valdez became the 1st pitcher in franchise history to earn an All-Star Game victory, hurling a scoreless inning in relief in the AL’s 3-2 win at Dodger Stadium.
As defending World Series Champions, Astros manager Dusty Baker will manage the AL All-Star squad for the second consecutive season, and will be joined by his entire coaching staff.
The Astros now have 29 All-Star selections since 2017, which is more than any other AL club in that span.
This year’s All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA. Seattle also hosted the All-Star Game in 1979 and in 2001. FOX will broadcast the game, with their telecast beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.
ASTROS ALL-STAR GAME NOTES
STARTING PITCHERS: Five Astros pitchers have started the All-Star Game. They are: Justin Verlander (2019); LHP Dallas Keuchel (2015); RHP Roger Clemens (2004); RHP Mike Scott (1987); RHP J.R. Richard (1980).
HOME RUN DERBY: Alex Bregman is the last Astros player to take part in the Home Run Derby, participating in both 2018 and 2019.
ALL-STAR MVP: The Astros have had one All-Star Game MVP. Bregman earned MVP honors in the 2018 Midsummer Classic after his 10th-inning home run helped lead the AL to an 8-6 win at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
MANAGER/COACHING STAFF: As defending World Series Champions, Dusty Baker and his coaching staff will manage the AL squad. This will mark the fourth time that an Astros manager and his staff will manage an All-Star Game. The other times were in 2022 (AL), 2018 (AL) and 2006 (NL). The Astros staff was in line to manage the 2020 All-Star Game before it was cancelled due to the pandemic.
MULTIPLE STARS: The 29 All-Star selections for the Astros since 2017 are more than any other AL club in that span (source: Elias).