deGrom selected for first All-Star Game

SAN FRANCISCO -- Pitching has defined the Mets throughout the first half of this season, at times almost singlehandedly keeping them afloat. So it is only natural that a pitcher will represent them at the 2015 All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati.

Starter Jacob deGrom was named to his first National League All-Star team Monday, so deGrom can spend the next few days finalizing details for his trip to Great American Ball Park.

He was, after all, a no-brainer.

"Look at the half he's had," NL manager Bruce Bochy said. "Look at the respect he's gotten from all the other players. He's got tremendous stuff. It's well-earned. The numbers show that."

Video: Reigning Rookie of the Year deGrom gets ASG selection

:: All-Star Game on Fox: July 14, 7 ET air time | 8:15 game time ::

During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can also visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (7 p.m. ET air time, 8:15 first pitch), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Video: NYM@MIL: deGrom fans seven in eight scoreless frames

Last year's NL Rookie of the Year, deGrom has managed to improve his statistics in his second season, thanks in large part to a dramatically reduced walk rate and an improved sinker. He is 8-6 with a 2.30 ERA overall, posting a 1.23 mark during one particularly electric eight-start stretch from May 16 through June 25. And deGrom's peers apparently took notice; he was one of eight pitchers that players voted onto the NL staff, alongside Aroldis Chapman, Gerrit Cole, Zack Greinke, Mark Melancon, Shelby Miller, Trevor Rosenthal and Max Scherzer.

"It's been unbelievable," deGrom said. "I would have never imagined it. I'm just thankful for the opportunity that I've had. I just found out, and to hear that the players voted me in is definitely special. I'm really honored to be able to pitch in the All-Star Game."

For deGrom, his first selection is the result of an unorthodox but brilliant career arc. Never a blue-chip prospect for the Mets like Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard or Steven Matz, deGrom entered the rotation last May only after multiple injuries forced him into it. But once he received that opportunity, deGrom never wavered, pitching well enough over five months to become Rookie of the Year.

Since that time, he has developed into the Mets' most consistently successful starting pitcher -- and it hasn't been particularly close.

"Jake," Mets manager Terry Collins said simply, "has been great."