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SAN DIEGO -- In 2016, when the Padres hosted the Midsummer Classic, they had a pair of All-Stars -- Wil Myers and Drew Pomeranz -- to represent the host city. Nice that it worked out that way. Because for the past decade, “multiple Padres All-Stars” has been the rare exception. San Diego has had two All-Stars twice only in the past 10 years and hasn’t had three since 2007.

That might change moving forward.

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Major League Baseball unveiled its ballot for the 2021 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard on Thursday, and the Padres, as always, have eight names listed. The difference? This time those candidacies are serious.

"There's quite a few guys, off the top of my head, that I would certainly think are well-deserving," Padres manager Jayce Tingler said.

There was no All-Star Game during a shortened 2020 season, meaning the Padres didn't get to reap the rewards of their ascent into the National League's elite. Kirby Yates was San Diego's lone All-Star representative in 2019, the last time the game was played.

That number figures to jump significantly. How significantly? Well, it'll be tough for the Padres to equal the franchise record of seven All-Stars set in 1985 -- but not impossible. And aside from '85, the Padres have had five All-Stars only once, in 1992, another year in which they hosted the game. That number certainly seems attainable.

To start, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., second baseman Jake Cronenworth and center fielder Trent Grisham all rank in the top three at their respective positions based on fWAR.

"Just to be on it is pretty incredible," said Cronenworth, who currently sits on the fringe and whose candidacy might come down to his production over the next month. "I didn't think I'd ever be on an All-Star ballot in the big leagues, so it's pretty special."

Third baseman Manny Machado and right fielder Myers are always liable to catch fire at the plate at any given moment, even if they haven’t quite broken out yet this season.

On the pitching side, Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in ERA entering Thursday and have built All-Star-caliber resumes. Mark Melancon entered Thursday leading the Majors in saves and had allowed two earned runs all season.

Whatever the results, this year's All-Star Game -- on July 13 in Colorado -- will almost certainly feature more Padres than any in recent memory.

"I think it's a testament to all the guys that have earned that [consideration]," Cronenworth said. "And it's a testament to the coaching staff, too, and the culture we've created around here."

Padres commemorate Lou Gehrig Day
Major League Baseball held its inaugural Lou Gehrig Day on Wednesday, but with the Padres on the road, they observed the occasion on Thursday at Petco Park.

Steve Fisher, the former San Diego State men's basketball coach was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. His son Mark was diagnosed with ALS in 2009.

The ALS Association of San Diego served as the team’s community partner for the game Thursday, providing resources and material to fans on the main concourse.