DETROIT — For the third consecutive All-Star Game, the Tigers will have a reliever as their representative. Gregory Soto, who has become the frontman for a resurgent Detroit bullpen in his second full Major League season, was chosen for the Midsummer Classic as a reserve on the American League roster.
Like Shane Greene (2019) and Joe Jiménez (2018), Soto is a first-time All-Star. The hard-throwing, sinkerballing lefty will head to the 2021 All-Star Game at Colorado’s Coors Field with the momentum of a dominant summer.
Only Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal have more wins on the Tigers than Soto, owner of a 4-1 record and a 2.94 ERA. His six saves are tied for the team lead with 2017 All-Star Michael Fulmer, to go with seven holds.
The 26-year-old Soto has allowed just 25 hits over 33 2/3 innings with 20 walks and 40 strikeouts.
Soto is the first Tigers left-hander to make an All-Star team since David Price in 2015, and the team’s first All-Star lefty reliever since Willie Hernandez earned three consecutive selections from 1984-86.