The Braves had a team-record eight players selected to this year’s MLB All-Star Game, and one of them wasn’t even on the big-league roster to start the season.
Starting pitcher Bryce Elder was announced as one of the National League’s reserve pitchers for the upcoming Midsummer Classic. But the right-handed pitcher was just trying to compete for the fifth starting spot in March. He didn’t get it and was optioned to the minors that same month.
He was eventually called up and he made the most of his opportunity. He now has the second-lowest ERA among starters in MLB at 2.44 and holds a 6–1 record in his 96 innings on the mound.
The 24-year-old is a first-time All-Star and will be joined by teammates right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., catcher Sean Murphy, shortstop Orlando Arcia, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies, third baseman Austin Riley and fellow pitcher Spencer Strider.
The 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle is slated to take place July 11 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
Our Opening Day starter is an MLB All-Star.
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) July 2, 2023
Not gonna lie, that's pretty wild. https://t.co/0xsWVGqKS5
