Yankees star in 10-inning win, send Judge, Sevy, Torres & Chapman to D.C.
Aaron Judge & Tyler Wade celebrate go-ahead run Sunday before word spreads of Bomber takeover at All-Star Game:
TORONTO – Gleyber Torres barely hit in the spring after coming back from season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, and started the 2018 campaign in the minors. But after rediscovering his swing and having an unlikely power surge following his promotion to the big leagues, the 21-year-old rookie wunderkind is headed to the AllStar Game — even though he likely won’t play due to a right hip strain. Torres, the midseason favorite for AL Rookie of the Year, is one of four Yankees headed to the Midsummer Classic on July 17 in D.C., joined by Aaron Judge, Luis Severino and Aroldis Chapman on the American League squad.
Torres is only the fourth Yankee to be named to the AL All-Star team at 21 years old or younger, joining Joe DiMaggio (age 21 in 1936), Mickey Mantle (ages 20-21 from 1952-53) and Willie Randolph (age 21 in 1976).
Giancarlo Stanton is part of the Final Vote, and can make it if the fans who have regularly booed him in the Bronx stuff the online ballot boxes this week.
Aaron Boone broke the news to Torres in a fun way on Sunday.
“I called him in and was like, ‘Have you done any work today? What’s going on with your leg? You’re probably going to have to get that right so when you go to D.C. next week you can tip your cap properly,’” Boone said. “He was excited.”
The Bombers were 10-9 when Torres was called up. Now, they’re 58-29, boosted by their second baseman who has done most of his damage in the No. 9 hole, blasting 15 homers – already four more than he had in his best season in the minors — and posting a .905 OPS.
“I think every player wants to go to the All-Star Game,” said Torres, who grew up watching the midseason festivities as a kid. “And now that I got the opportunity, I’m happy and I’m super excited right now.”
Torres wasn’t the only Yankee who overcame adversity to get to play on the big stage in our nation’s capital.
Judge hit .179 in 2016, the same year Severino went 0-8 with an 8.50 ERA as a starter. But both players have proven that their breakout 2017 seasons and All-Star selections were no fluke. Judge has hit 25 homers to go along with a .970 OPS, while Severino is 14-2 with a 2.12 ERA, and a deserving candidate to start for the AL.
“I would say I don’t know if there’s anyone more deserving, and I say that with respect of
some dominant starters in the first half of the season in the American League,” Boone said, referring to the likes of Corey Kluber and Justin Verlander. “I would pick Sevvy, and if he’s not at the top of the list, he’s right there certainly in that conversation. And I just want (AL manager) A.J. (Hinch) to be careful with him. He’s pretty important to us.”
Said Judge, who was the talk of the town in Miami last season: “This is only my second time going. It’s still all pretty new to me. I’m going to keep enjoying it, meet some of the guys and have some fun.”
Severino didn’t get to pitch in the 2017 All-Star Game. He was warming up in the bullpen, but the game ended after 10 innings, one frame too soon. “I was hoping for another inning,” Severino said. “I just want to pitch (in 2018). I don’t care what spot. I just want to pitch.”
Chapman lost his closer job briefly last season after signing a five-year, $86 million deal to return to the Bronx. But this season he’s 24-for-25 in save opportunities while pitching to a 1.42 ERA. This is his fifth All-Star Game and first as a Yankee. “It feels good to be recognized,” said Chapman, who has been dealing with left knee tendinitis. “I don’t know (if I’ll pitch). It depends how I feel. We’ve got a couple days to see. If I’m feeling good, yeah, for sure.”
Stanton has overcome a slow start to post 21 HRs. He is bidding for his fifth trip to the All-Star Game.
Despite 18 straight scoreless appearances, Dellin Betances struggled mightily at the beginning of the season and will not appear in his fifth consecutive All-Star Game.
“When I addressed the team, I said there’s probably a couple more that could (go),” Boone said. “The way Dellin has pitched, he’s been as good as any reliever in the sport after a couple rough weeks to start.
“The way Aaron Hicks has played. I could go on with people on the fringe there and you never know, things could still come up to where more guys get added at some point. We’ll see.”