‘Straightforward reply:’ Dave Roberts Defends Jacob Misiorowski’s All-Star Choice

Nationwide League All-Star supervisor Dave Roberts stated including Milwaukee Brewers rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski regardless of complaints from some gamers over his inclusion as a substitute of different gamers. 

Misiorowski has pitched in solely 5 video games, a report low for an All-Star, making a debate between those that say the sport is for probably the most deserving gamers and those that say the sport is for the followers.

“If it brings pleasure, consideration to our recreation, then I’m all about it,” Roberts stated.

“I believe for me, form of my North Star is the All-Star Recreation needs to be the sport’s greatest gamers,” the Los Angeles Dodgers supervisor added earlier than additionally addressing the opposite facet of the argument.

“It’s in regards to the followers and what the followers need to see,” Roberts stated. 

The 23-year-old Misiorowski created an instantaneous stir when he threw a 100.5 mph fastball for his first pitch within the massive leagues. Oh, and for good measure, he opened that debut on June 12 in opposition to St. Louis by throwing 5 no-hit innings earlier than leaving with cramping within the Brewers’ 6-0 win.

The 6-foot-7 rookie is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA and has 33 strikeouts with solely 12 hits allowed in 25 2/3 innings. It is a formidable debut, however some gamers nonetheless imagine the right-hander hasn’t been within the recreation lengthy sufficient to advantage All-Star consideration over extra established gamers.

Philadelphia’s Trea Turner was outspoken in his criticism of the choice so as to add Misiorowski to the group when Phillies’ left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, who’s 8-2 with a 2.50 ERA, did not make the group. The Phillies additionally lobbied for left-hander Ranger Suarezz (7-3, 1.94).

“What a joke,” Turner advised reporters.

Turner’s teammate, All-Star Kyle Schwarber, stated Monday the try by Phillies gamers to talk up for Sánchez and Suárez “was not an assault at Misiorowski by any means. It’s an honor for him that he’s right here and it needs to be an honor for him. It’s not his fault that he’s solely pitched 5 video games and he bought named.”

Misiorowski stated Monday he wasn’t offended.

“They are not upset with me,” he stated, including he’s as stunned as anybody to seek out himself in Atlanta for Tuesday night time’s recreation.

“The final 5 weeks have been insane,” Misiorowski stated. “I believed the All-Star break can be an opportunity to sit down down and mirror. Now we’re right here.”

Schwarber stated Misiorowski might be an All-Star “yearly that he pitches. It’s simply extra of the very fact of our guys had been having some actually good years and a few fairly good daily begins and numbers. You need them to really feel like they’re gonna get represented the way in which that they need to be.”

Schwarber added that he would possible speak to Misiorowski throughout All-Star week and would inform him “he is doing an amazing job at what he is doing and he will be a perennial All-Star for years to come back.”

Roberts stated he plans to deliver Misiorowski into the sport as early because the fifth inning. 

“And it’s going to be electrical,” Roberts stated. “So the followers, the media, you’re going to find it irresistible.”

Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, 37, is on his eleventh All-Star roster, this time as a legend choose by commissioner Rob Manfred. When requested in regards to the conflicting opinions about Misiorowski, Kershaw stated, “I don’t suppose it’s conflicting. I believe all people needs the perfect gamers right here.”

San Francisco right-hander Robbie Ray, 33, stated Misiorowski has “an electrical arm.” 

“He is a particular expertise, and I am excited to observe him pitch.”

Atlanta Braves supervisor Brian Snitker, who’s serving on Roberts’ employees and has expertise choosing an All-Star roster, stated there’s room for a participant as inexperienced as Misiorowski to discover a spot in Tuesday night time’s showcase.

“You recognize what? It is an exhibition recreation,” Snitker stated. “He is one other nice expertise. … There are some guys which can be very deserving. It’s what it’s.”

Reporting by The Related Press. 

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