Bogaerts could rep Red Sox as All-Star reserve
Shortstop would be youngest Boston player to make ASG since Conigliaro
BOSTON -- At 22 years old, shortstop Xander Bogaerts could become the youngest Red Sox player to be an All-Star since Tony Conigliaro (who was also 22) in 1967. The emergence of Bogaerts has certainly been impressive, particularly when you consider the bouts of inconsistency he had last season.
Bogaerts had the thrill of winning a World Series championship in 2013, and this would be the latest milestone moment for him. Bogaerts didn't get elected as a starter. Reserves will be announced on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
"It would be big, to be honest," said Bogaerts. "That's something everyone would want to do at some point in their career. But I'm just trying to do my job out there, be a good teammate, help the team win as much as possible going into the All-Star break."
Bogaerts is hitting .302 with 18 doubles, three homers and 37 RBIs.
Among position players, second baseman Dustin Pedroia is probably the next best candidate the Red Sox have to be an All-Star. But Pedroia, who is hitting .306 with nine homers and an .819 OPS, is on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain.
Hanley Ramirez slumped in May and part of June, but still has 18 homers, 43 RBIs and an .827 OPS.
If you're looking for an underdog candidate, super-utility-man Brock Holt could have a case. Holt has played every position but pitcher and catcher and has a .295 average and a .383 on-base percentage.
Closer Koji Uehara, an All-Star last year, has put himself in contention to go back again. The righty is 19-for-21 in save opportunities while limiting opponents to a .196 average.
Right-hander Clay Buchholz has pitched like an All-Star over the last several weeks. But his early-season slump kept his overall numbers solid (7-6, 3.27 ERA, 104 strikeouts) but not spectacular.
Bogaerts has brought it to the Red Sox every day on offense and defense.
"I would hope that he gets some recognition for the first half he's had," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "He's been a very consistent performer and has grown a lot from a year ago both defensively and offensively. Whether or not that reflects or is acknowledged with an All-Star appearance, time will tell that one."
On Monday at 7 p.m. ET, the All-Star reserves, pitchers and Final Vote candidates will be announced on the Esurance All-Star Selection Show on ESPN. Immediately following the show, fans can return to MLB.com to begin voting to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each league until 4 p.m. ET on Friday, July 10.
And the voting doesn't end there. During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, 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.