Washington D.C. – Four Seattle Mariners will compete in tonight’s MLB All-Star Game, which is the highest number Mariners to make the all-star roster since 2014. Rightfielder Mitch Haniger, designated hitter Nelson Cruz, closer Edwin Diaz and shortstop Jean Segura were all named to the all-star roster this year.
Haniger was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012. Two years later, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he was called up late in the season. Then that offseason Haniger was traded to the Mariners, along with Segura.
Haniger appeared in 96 games last season, got 104 hits and scored 58 runs. Haniger is now entrenched as the starter at right field, playing in 94 of 97 possible games this season, with 94 hits and 48 runs entering the all-star break. Haniger is making his first appearance as an all-star in his still-young career.
Cruz has played for the Brewers, Rangers, Orioles and Mariners. In 2011, he won ALCS MVP with the Rangers, in 2014, he was the American League homerun leader with the O’s and last season he was the AL RBI leaders with the Mariners. This is his sixth all-star game and his and his third as a Mariner. Cruz turned 38 earlier this month, but looks better than ever.
Edwin Diaz is young, at 25, but he’s been dominant this season. Diaz has spent his entire pro career in the Mariners organization, after being drafted in the third round in 2012. Diaz didn’t take long to make a splash, within his first month in the big leagues he struck out 10-consecutive batters, tying a franchise record set in 1997.
This season, Diaz has been nothing short of unstoppable. Through the first half of the season, he set a franchise-record 36 saves before the all-star break. He’s also racked up 79 strikeouts in 48 innings. Diaz has so many saves this year, he could potentially break the MLB record for most saves in a season. This is Diaz’s first all-star appearance.
Segura may have been the last Mariner to get in, but his season hasn’t been any less spectacular. Segura started his career with the Angels, working his way up through their farm system, but after appearing in only one game for them he was traded to the Brewers. In 2013, Segura made it to the all-star team as a Brewer. He was later traded to the Diamondbacks then a year later was part of the trade that sent him and Haniger to the Mariners.
Segura is ranked second in the AL in hits, fourth in batting average, eighth in runs and eleventh in stolen bases. Segura is headed to his second all-star game and his first as a Mariner.
