Reds' Aroldis Chapman named to All-Star team
WASHINGTON — Aroldis Chapman is used to getting a roaring reaction when the bullpen door opens at Great American Ball Park. He expects it to be even more rousing should he get the call in the All-Star Game.
"It's going to be a lot better," Chapman said. "Even during the regular season, when the door opens and the fans go crazy, it's something special for me. This time, I will be really, really happy. I feel happy, I feel proud to be a part of the Reds."
Chapman was named as a reserve to the National League All-Star team Monday. He joins Todd Frazier on the team. Frazier was voted in by the fans.
Johnny Cueto is one of five players in the NL Final Man vote, along with Jeurys Familia of the New York Mets, Troy Tulowitzki of Colorado, Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Carlos Martinez of St. Louis. Voting ends Friday at 4 p.m.
It is the fourth time in Chapman's career that he has been named to the All-Star team. The game being in Cincinnati makes this one special.
"I'm really happy, of course, being the fourth time," he said. "But this is more special. It's in my house. I wanted to be there. I was looking forward. I'm happy I'm going to Cincinnati, with the All-Star Game being there. That's what I really want."
Chapman only has 16 saves. But his other numbers are impressive — 1.78 ERA, 61 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings.
"He hasn't had as many opportunities to close as I'd like," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "As far as deserving the chance to represent the Reds and help the National League win the game, I think it's a great addition. He's had a terrific year. Certainly the strikeout numbers are, as always, very high. He's the type of guy that's not only effective but he's one of those guys, I think, that people spend the money to go see pitch. I'm hoping he gets a chance to pitch in the game and do something special for the fans that don't get a chance to see us on a regular basis."
Chapman was the only reserve to make it from the Reds. Price was hoping to get more players on the roster.
"I think there are guys – Joey (Votto) has scuffled a little bit lately but I think his numbers are very strong," Price said. "Certainly Johnny Cueto – he's missed a couple of starts but when he's been out there, he's performed at a very high level. Over 100 innings, over 100 strikeouts, and just extremely efficient. It would be nice for both of those guys to get recognized. In this same respect, I look around the National League and there are a lot of guys that are having years where they could make an argument for a spot on the team.
"I also understand there are so many spots, and they're cherished. I do for sure feel that without a doubt, Frazier and Chapman are guys that really had to make the team, simply because their performance has been so dominating. They just really needed to make the club. Unfortunately, there's other guys that could have made the club but didn't."
Cueto was an All-Star in 2014, but he did not appear in the game.
The NL All-Star pitchers:
SP
Giants' Bumgarner
Pirates' Burnett
Pirates' Cole
Mets' deGrom
Dodgers' Greinke
Braves' Miller
Nats' Scherzer
Cardinals' Wacha
RP
Chapman
Pirates' Melancon
Phillies' Papelbon
Cardinals' Rosenthal
Brewers' Rodriguez
The NL reserves:
Cardinals' Molina
Dodgers' Grandal
Cubs' Rizzo
Dodgers' Gonzalez
Rockies' LeMahieu
Giants' Panik
Giants' Crawford
Rockies' Arenado
Cubs' Bryant
Pirates' McCutchen (will start for Stanton)
Dodgers' Pederson
Diamondbacks' Pollock
Padres' J. Upton