The Cincinnati Reds' star shortstop, Elly De La Cruz, has been selected as the team's sole representative for the 2025 National League All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive appearance. De La Cruz is having a standout season, boasting a .277 batting average alongside 18 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 68 runs scored across 90 games, complemented by 22 stolen bases and an impressive .836 OPS. His performance positions him as a leading force among NL shortstops, topping charts in home runs, runs scored, RBIs, and slugging percentage.

Expressing his gratitude for the All-Star selection, De La Cruz stated that the opportunity is significant for him, emphasizing the desire shared among players to participate in such a prestigious event. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, where he will join other elite players from the league.

Clayton Kershaw has earned his 11th All-Star selection, marking him as the oldest NL All-Star at 37, joined by a host of young talent including 22-year-old James Wood, who is the youngest of this year's All-Stars, and fellow 23-year-olds Paul Skenes and Elly De La Cruz. Kershaw's participation continues the Dodgers' streak of at least five All-Stars for the sixth consecutive season. Other notable selections include Texas Rangers’ Jacob deGrom and fan favorites such as Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.

De La Cruz’s recent surge highlights a bright future for MLB, with numerous first-time All-Stars like Cal Raleigh and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joining the roster. The All-Star Game promises to showcase a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, with Kershaw leading the way as a Legend Pick, a testament to his enduring excellence in the sport.

Elly De La Cruz has been selected for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive appearance. Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona announced the distinction, celebrating De La Cruz's growth as a player. He currently boasts impressive stats with a .279 batting average, 18 home runs, and 22 stolen bases this season. Despite speculation around teammate Andrew Abbott's potential selection, De La Cruz remained positive, indicating Abbott's talent and readiness to contribute. The Reds' legacy of All-Stars continues with De La Cruz, joining a prestigious line of Cincinnati legends.

Chase Burns put in a solid performance, pitching 4 2/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, successfully rebounding from a disastrous outing against the Boston Red Sox. Despite the Reds losing 3-1, Burns showed signs of improvement, striking out seven but also walking four batters. His effort kept the game competitive, even as the Phillies turned the tide late with a game-tying double by Kyle Schwarber and a decisive two-run homer by Bryson Stott.

Veteran Emilio Pagán praised Burns’ resilience and maturity, highlighting the rigorous preparation strategies employed by the Reds' pitching staff to address pitch-tipping issues. Though the Reds fell short as a team in the series finale, Burns’ performance provides hope for future outings.

The New York Yankees have traded catcher Alex Jackson to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for international bonus pool money and potentially cash or a player yet to be named. While this move seems minor, it highlights the Yankees' remarkable ability to develop catchers who later excel with other teams. Jackson, who previously was in the Yankees’ system but did not emerge as a regular, has worked under catching coordinator Tanner Swanson, who has successfully molded players like Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka into significant contributors.

This trade adds to a growing list of former Yankees catchers thriving in the league, with Trevino now starting for the Cincinnati Reds and Higashioka maintaining a steady role with the Texas Rangers. Luis Torrens has secured a position with the Mets and is known for his impressive caught-stealing rate and solid framing. Even Red Sox manager Alex Cora has acknowledged that the Yankees excel in producing quality catchers. Swanson’s techniques have transformed several players, demonstrating how the Yankees cultivate talent, even if they do not stay in New York.