MINNEAPOLIS -- In his seventh season in the Majors, Eduardo Nunez finally realized his dream of being an everyday player. On Tuesday, he reached an unlikely goal, as he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career despite not even being on the ballot.
After early-season injuries to third baseman Trevor Plouffe and shortstop Eduardo Escobar, Nunez started getting regular playing time, and he's made the most of it. He's been Minnesota's most consistent player, hitting .315/.341/.479 with 11 homers, 13 doubles, 34 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Among American League leaders, he ranks ninth in batting average and third in stolen bases. He's supplanted Escobar as the club's regular shortstop but offers versatility to the AL squad because of his ability to play second, short and third.
"I'm very excited," Nunez said. "To go from a bench guy looking to get playing time to becoming an All-Star is a dream come true. I'm going to try my best to represent the Twins fans who supported me, my teammates and the organization."
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Nunez, 29, joined the Twins via a trade with the Yankees before the 2014 season. He was considered the heir apparent to Derek Jeter at shortstop in New York, but was inconsistent in his four years with the team, especially defensively.
"He didn't get much of a chance to play in New York because they were so talented, and when he came over here, he brought in the reputation that he was a utility player," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "But he's proved that he can do more than be a utility player. Here he is as an All-Star all of a sudden. He's proud as you can be."

Nunez was a capable utility player in his first two seasons with the Twins but broke out this year after getting more regular playing time. He's been a bright spot for a Minnesota team that has otherwise disappointed this season.
"Regardless of where we're at as a club, I think you can justify his first half being All-Star caliber," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Month to month, there hasn't been much change. We all know he was up there around .350 for a while, but he's been consistent against left-handers and right-handers. He hasn't had any issue with me bouncing him around from third to short and second occasionally, and since he's been in the leadoff spot, he's been a catalyst for us as far as baserunning and consistency getting on base, driving in runs, scoring runs."
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Nunez said he's not surprised by his impressive season, as he believed he could always do this but was never given a chance to get regular playing time until this year.
"I think playing every day is the key for me," Nunez said. "When you play one day a week, maybe you don't feel good that day and you have to wait another week to figure it out. But when you play every day, it's a different way to think." 
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Nunez is expected to fill a role similar to the one the Red Sox's Brock Holt served as an All-Star last year, as he gives AL manager Ned Yost -- who selected Nunez for the squad -- flexibility because of his ability to play multiple positions.
Other All-Star candidates for the Twins were second baseman Brian Dozier, catcher Kurt Suzuki and lefty reliever Fernando Abad. Dozier and Suzuki have come on strongly recently, heating up in June, while Abad has been the club's best reliever.