Crawford, Gausman invited to All-Star party in Denver
Giants shortstop, ace to join teammate Posey in Midsummer Classic
PHOENIX >> Brandon Crawford and Kevin Gausman took different paths to earn 2021 All-Star nods, but the sense of joy each Giants star feels is similar.
After Buster Posey was selected to start at catcher for the National League All-Star squad on Thursday, Crawford and Gausman learned Sunday that they’ll also be representing the Giants at the Midsummer Classic at Coors Field on Tuesday, July 13.
Gausman, the Giants’ ace, always had elite potential, but he has finally capitalized on it in San Francisco. The righthander ranks second in the majors
behind Mets ace Jacob deGrom with a 1.68 ERA through his first 16 starts. The Colorado native will return to his home state as a first-time All-Star, but
likely won’t pitch because he is scheduled to start for the Giants on Sunday in the final game before the break.
“It’s my first one and I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I think it will be a little bit more special being that I only grew up about 30 minutes down the road from Coors Field,” Gausman said.
Crawford, a Bay Area native in his 11th season with the Giants, earned the third All-Star nod of his career and his first since he started the game in 2018. One of the most complete two-way shortstops in the majors this season, Crawford has been one of the most valuable players in the National League this season and leads the Giants with 17 home runs.
“I think every All-Star Game is special,” Crawford said. “But I think after a few tough years and kind of turning it around last year and being more comfortable in everything with some of the changes I made last year and bringing them into this year and having a good first half, it definitely makes it more special.”
With a career-high .885 OPS, the 34-year-old ranks second in the NL at the shortstop position behind All-Star starter Fernando Tatis Jr., who has launched 26 homers and owns a 1.084 OPS.
Crawford’s return to the All-Star Game is an impressive story of perseverance for a player who was one of the worst qualified hitters in the majors during a challenging 2019 season. The left-handed hitter was on the verge of becoming a platoon player for the Giants when manager Gabe Kapler succeeded Bruce Bochy. But after implementing a handful of adjustments to his swing mechanics, Crawford has unlocked more power and is driving the ball more consistently than at any other point in his major league career.
The All-Star selection is particularly satisfying for a player who is in the final year of his contract and has often been overlooked in a generational free-agent class at the shortstop position that includes Rockies star Trevor Story, Cubs standout Javier Báez and Dodgers slugger Corey Seager.
“I think he’s playing with a pretty big chip on his shoulder,” teammate Evan Longoria said. “I know he probably won’t tell you that, but it’s been really good for him to be going into an offseason where it’s probably the biggest crop of free agent shortstops in recent memory and I think he’s really wanted to put himself and has put himself into that category.”
The Giants’ All-Star contingent currently sits at three, but has the potential to grow if players choose not to participate or suffer injuries.
Right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers, another Colorado native, should earn consideration as a potential replacement on the National League pitching staff as he’s posted a 1.36 ERA in 38 appearances for San Francisco this season.
“I can’t help but think Rogers is especially deserving and I wish more people were with us every day to see how valuable he has been to our success,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “I don’t think we are where we are without Tyler Rogers. He’s a major part of us being where we are at the midpoint way of the season.”
Anthony DeSclafani also has built a strong All-Star résumé with a 2.91 ERA in 16 starts. But the NL is loaded with elite starters, which is why DeSclafani was left standing on the outside Sunday.
Prior to injuring his shoulder in a June 6 collision with Crawford, Longoria was on track to make the fourth All-Star team of his career and his first since 2010. With nine home runs and a 146 OPS+, Longoria was outhitting the National League starter at third base, Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals, who has a 132 OPS+ this season.
Missing the All-Star Game, however, isn’t as much of a disappointment for Longoria as missing the last month of games.
“Obviously we’re playing so well and it’s just something you want to be a part of at this point,” said Longoria, who could return in mid-to-late July. “It’s tough to sit on the sideline and not be able to contribute. What we’ve talked about from the beginning of the year is winning the division and now we’ve put ourselves in the position to do that and to be watching is tough for sure.”