ATLANTA — The 2024 MLB All-Star Game in Texas is quickly approaching.
While they’re not replicating last seasons appearances of eight players selected, three Braves will make their way to the All-Star Game.
Pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo López are joined by designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Pitcher Max Fried was added as an injury replacement on Saturday.
“It’s pretty cool,” manager Brian Snitker said. “All three of them are awesome. We just had a (postgame) meeting. Other than Christmas, it’s kind of one of my favorite days of the year when I hand out All-Star invitations. It’s special. Going to an All-Star Game is an honor and a really special thing for the guys and their families.”
Ozuna has been a pleasant surprise for Atlanta this season. He’s played in all 94 games alongside Matt Olson and leads the team with 26 home runs. His total is 13 more than Olson, who’s second on the team.
Ozuna also leads the Braves in hits and RBIs with 106 and 77 respectively. He also leads heavily in both of these categories, having 18 more hits and 33 more RBIs than Ozzie Albies, who’s second on the team in both categories. He also leads the team in walks and batting average.
He’s fourth in all of the MLB in home runs, tied for second in RBIs and 11th for hits. This is his third All-Star appearance and his first since 2017.
He was also chosen to participate in the home run derby.
Sale is having a tremendous bounce-back season after being traded from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason.
Despite being hurt for a majority of the past two seasons, he’s regained his stride in Atlanta earning his eight All-Star selection and first since 2018.
Sale is first in all of the MLB for overall wins with 12, sixth with his 136 strikeouts and is eighth for his 2.74 ERA.
These numbers lead the Braves as well, except for ERA. That number is held by López, another offseason addition by Atlanta.
López was signed in free agency after a season with the Cleveland Guardians and has been a strong starter for the Braves this season.
His 1.88 ERA leads the team and the MLB, while his strikeouts are tied for third on the team. He’s also tied second on the team in wins with seven.
While Atlanta fans initially thought he was added to the team as a reliever, López found his way into the starting lineup and has been a strong piece there as he makes his first ever All-Star Game.
Fried was not part of the original three, however he was a name to keep an eye on for a possible injury replacement candidate. He replaced Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez to make his second All-Star Game and his first since 2022.
"I was definitely surprised; I wasn't expecting it," Fried said. "It's pretty exciting."
His 3.08 ERA is the third best for the Braves, but it's the 16th best in all of the MLB. His 95 strikeouts ties him with López for third on the team and 50th in the MLB. Fried is also tied with López for wins
Fried, Sale and López have all been key pieces for the Braves after Spencer Strider went down with an injury at the start of the season. Fried made a terrific transition as the team's No. 1 starter, with Sale and López firmly behind him.
"What Chris and Reynaldo have been able to do this year, it's extremely impressive," Fried said. "It's fun to watch them take the ball every fifth day. I'm excited to experience the All-Star Week with them."