Soler earns first All-Star appearance, joins Arraez in Seattle
Christina De Nicola
@cdenicola13ATLANTA -- Two-time World Series champion. The 2019 American League batting champion. The ¡®21 World Series MVP. Add All-Star to Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler¡¯s resume.
On Sunday afternoon, Soler was named a reserve to the National League¡¯s roster for the 2023 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. All-Star reserves are determined via ¡°Player Ballot¡± choices and selections made by the Commissioner¡¯s Office.
Soler joins teammate Luis Arraez, who was named the NL¡¯s starting second baseman on Thursday. The Midsummer Classic will take place on July 11 at Seattle¡¯s T-Mobile Park.
¡°It feels great being recognized by your peers, and that's something that I'm pretty sure they can see the hard work that you're putting into the game, and it's just great to have that backup from all of them,¡± Soler said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr.
The 31-year-old Soler entered Sunday with 22 homers ¨C tied with Mookie Betts and Kyle Schwarber for third most in the NL ¨C and 47 RBIs (T-19th) in 80 games. Both marks already rank third most in his 10-year MLB career.
Soler¡¯s 22 homers are the most by a Marlins player prior to the All-Star break since 2017 (Marcell Ozuna, 23 and Giancarlo Stanton, 26). He is the main power source for a ballclub surprising many in the baseball world by being in the thick of the playoff picture. Miami¡¯s record through 85 games is bested by only the 1997 World Series-winning team.
¡°Really excited for him and his family,¡± said manager Skip Schumaker, who held a pregame team meeting to deliver the news. ¡°He's been huge for me as a rookie manager just inside that clubhouse and his presence holding people accountable. His work ethic has been off the charts coming back from an injury-riddled season. For him to come back like he has playing a lot more right field, DHing, pinch-hit home runs, he's helped us win a lot of games, and it's well-deserved.¡±
It has been a bounceback season for Soler, whose 96 OPS+ in 2022 was the third lowest of his career. Miami had signed Soler to a free-agent contract fresh off his MVP performance in the Fall Classic with the Braves, but he was limited to just 72 games due to bilateral pelvis inflammation and lower back spasms in his Marlins debut. Soler spent all offseason rehabbing along with Jazz Chisholm Jr.
¡°It means a lot,¡± said Chisholm, who saw Soler pick up the slack when he missed six weeks this season with turf toe. ¡°Like you said, I was there in the whole offseason, worked out with him everyday during the offseason, and watched him work his butt off to get to where he's at right now. I would say that I didn't expect anything less from the work that he put in this offseason, and that I saw him put in.¡±
Just don¡¯t expect Soler to showcase his slugging skills during All-Star festivities. Two weeks ago in Seattle, Soler told a small group of reporters that concern for his health would likely keep him out of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby if he was asked to participate.
¡°He's amazing. He deserves it. This will be for him [his] first time,¡± said Arraez, who also made the American League¡¯s All-Star team in 2022 with the Twins. ¡°He's played a lot of years in the big leagues, and I'm happy for him. I know we lost this series, they swept us, but this is really cool for him. I'm excited for him. I'm happy. We¡¯ll go to Seattle together now, so we¡¯ve got to enjoy that.¡±