Former Alabama prep star to start in MLB All-Star Game
Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles will start at shortstop for the American League in the 94th annual MLB All-Star Game on July 16.
The former Morgan Academy star and Alabama’s Mr. Baseball for the 2019 season finished ahead of the Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. in the fan balloting to select the starters for the Midsummer Classic.
The position starters for the MLB All-Star Game were announced on Wednesday night.
Entering Wednesday’s play, Henderson had a .288 batting average, .383 on-base average and .600 slugging percentage halfway through his second full season in the big leagues. Henderson has hit 26 home runs in 84 games, and his 74 runs are the most in the Major Leagues.
An all-star selection for the first time, Henderson was the American League Rookie of the Year for the 2023 season.
The MLB All-Star Game is set for 7 p.m. CDT July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. FOX will televise the game.
On the night before the All-Star Game, Henderson will participate in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at the same ballpark. ESPN and MLB Network will televise the home-run derby at 7 p.m. July 15.
RELATED: GUNNAR HENDERSON PLAYS WITH LEGOS DURING GAME – ON HIS CLEATS
Henderson will be joined in the American League starting lineup by:
· Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman
· Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
· Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve
· Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez
· New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge
· Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan
· New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto
· Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez
The National League starters include:
· Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras
· Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper
· Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte
· Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner
· Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm
· San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar
· San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.
· Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich
· Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani
The pitchers and reserves – a total of 23 players for each team – will be chosen via player voting and the Commissioner’s Office. Those selections will be announced at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at@AMarkG1.