Rogers shows off velo in All-Star outing

Rogers shows off velo in All-Star outing

July 14th, 2021

Marlins rookie flashed the fastest velocity of his Major League career during the fifth inning of the 91st MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Coors Field.

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He maxed out at 98.8 mph on the four-seamer that grounded to second, but Rogers surrendered a pair of unearned runs to a sextet of familiar American League East foes. ambushed a first-pitch 96.4 mph fastball for a double off the right-field wall, and reached on a fielding error by shortstop to put runners on the corners. Rogers then struck out on a changeup before Guerrero, who hit a mammoth homer his last time up, produced an RBI groundout. followed with an RBI single, and flied out to right.

"It's awesome," Rogers said before the All-Star Game, which the American League squad won, 5-2. "It's something that we really dream of as a kid and growing up, here with the best guys in the world."

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The only first-year player on the National League squad, Rogers paces all qualified Major League rookies in ERA (2.31), innings (101 1/3) and strikeouts (122). That helped the 23-year-old southpaw become the sixth player born in New Mexico to make an All-Star team, and the first from Carlsbad High School. In 2019, a then-21-year-old Rogers pitched a scoreless fourth inning in the Florida State League All-Star Game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Rogers has embraced the Midsummer Classic festivities alongside his family. Earlier in the day, Rogers and his longtime girlfriend, Tessa, walked the purple carpet. He rocked a suit with American flags on the inside to support the troops at home and overseas. His grandfathers served in the Coast Guard and Army Reserve in World War II, while he has two uncles who were in the Army.

Last week, Rogers mentioned hoping to glean advice from his veteran teammates. Mets ace didn't make the trip, so he soaked up what Giants right-hander had to say. Gausman, who struck out 11 Marlins across eight innings on April 24, is a nine-year veteran having a breakout campaign. He is second -- behind deGrom -- for lowest ERA in MLB.

"He's having a great year, I really wanted to pick his brain and see what really clicked for him," Rogers said. "Had a good conversation with him. I enjoyed it."