Chase d’Arnaud Is The MVP

Altoona Curve SS Chase d’Arnaud was a replacement for the AA Eastern League All-Star Game at MetroBank Park in Harrisburg tonight.  Despite being in a bad slump, the league gave him a call after the starter was injured and tonight he was

the MVP.  The Pittsburgh Pirates fourth round pick two years ago, hit a full count over the right field wall for a grand slam.

Could karma be coming our way Bucco fans?  Surely not.  That would be too cool.   Last year’s AAA All-Star MVP Erik Kratz received the call-up during the AAA All-Star game this evening.  He will be in Pittsburgh by the time you read this. ESPN didn’t even throw in a joke.

Some tweets said it was a special moment for Kratz.  Hell, yeh, the guy is 30 years old and finally gets his chance?  I like it.  God that’s some good news Pirates fans.

Chase had faced Drew Naylor a few times before and took advantage of a mistake.   From the MILB article…

"“It was a curveball up,” he said. “I recognized it. I faced Naylor a few times before and it was good I was able to face a pitcher I knew.”It was d’Arnaud’s third time in a midsummer classic, having been previously named an All-Star in the New York-Penn and South Atlantic leagues.“I’ve participated (in All-Star Games), but I’ve never been the MVP before,” he said. “This is special.”"

Stay hot Chase. These guys need something to cheer about.